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Tabula Rasa or What would you do if you were starting over in a brand new environment?
Jamie Phelps | Oct 25 2007
Most people are rarely lucky enough to have the chance to ask for help like I am. I think our resident alliterative basket case would call this a first world problem. I just started a new job (an IT internship for a large corporation), and my cube is bare. I fetched a few supplies for the desk, but before I go further getting myself situated, I wanted to ping you guys. What would you do if you had essentially no constraints on a new setup? Here's some info about the parameters: 1) Windows XP with Outlook for email. This isn't negotiable. 2) Can't install apps on the computer. Mobile apps should be OK, so I can use Firefox, et al once I install it on my flash drive. 3) Cube with a locker, four drawers (one for files, doy.), two overhead shelves/cabinets, and an open shelf. For my personal system, I rock an iPhone and hPDA for actions. I don't want work to bleed over into my personal time so I think I'm open to a new setup for work. But I do love my index cards. So, what say you 43folders friends? 12 Comments
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 EssentialsSubmitted by DNAphil on October 25, 2007 - 2:08pm.
A dry erase board. I use to live in a cube, and they make ones that mount to the cube frame. Get one, get one as big as they will give you. Its good for doing your own brainstorming, and great for when people are in your cube trying to explain something to you, you can let them draw it out. Try to acquire a second chair from somewhere. Steal it from a conference room, and empty cube, etc. Eventually someone is going to want to talk to you about something, and you will want to be able to offer them a place to sit. Plus it is more comfortable than having someone talk to you standing, while you are sitting down. Get a few wire mesh stacking trays. You are going to need an inbox, a work tray, and a reading tray, especially as people start dumping things on your desk. If you can acquire a labeler or just get access to one do that. Then get a ton of file folders, and if you have hanging files, get a bunch of the hanging folders as well. The insidious part of cube life, is the rapid accumulation of paper. Yes, your system may be trim and runs on a minimal set of paper, but expect your co-workers and worst your bosses to flood you with useless paper. Throw it in your In Box, process it with a rabid desire to throw out as much as possible, and then file every scrap you think of holding on to. » POSTED IN:
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