Amina

In an effort to curb your enthusiasm outright, I’ll begin by saying that I'm no interior designer extraordinaire.  Sure, I decorated one hell of a dorm room back in my college days but I’m not planning on posting my DIY apartment décor to Pinterest any time soon.  So not surprisingly, my office cubicle is about as far away from an out-of-home oasis as one could possibly imagine.  In other words, my desk isn’t exactly inspiring the 'she’s going places' talk of the town.  

No, it has nothing to do with my millennial work ethic or competency.  I complete assignments on time and contribute my fair share of hours to team projects and collaboration.  But like any post-grad trying to figure out corporate one step at a time, I’m beginning to realize that some aspects of professional success truly do run skin deep.   

3.1.TW

Acrylic Gold Tone Stapler / Acrylic Gold Tone Tape Dispenser / Acrylic Gold Letter Paper Tray / Gold Stripe File Folders 

Now I get it.  Why would anyone waste the time and money decorating an office cubicle when you could be attributing those hours to far more meaningful experiences like late night trips to Shake Shack, the House of Cards season 3 premiere, or, like any classic over achiever 'more work?'

Because, at the root of every successful career is a relationship - an authentic, emotionally driven relationship.  And guess what?  Those are pretty hard to come by when your office space looks about as inviting as a Panera 2 minutes til close (What?! We’ve all been there, when the bread bowl calls: you answer.).  

Decorating your desk space sends the message that you’re there to stay and that your relationship with the office is as important as your paycheck.  

Pink line

So for you 'all work no play' ladies out there rolling your eyes (I don’t blame you, I might’ve rolled my eyes right along with you had I no proof) here’s the support you’ve been looking for:  

1) If you build it, they will come.  

Sometimes adding something as simple as a postcard, or a fresh bouquet of flowers can peak the interest of a cubicle visitor that might otherwise look you over with a simple wave and a hollow 'how are ya?'  Not only will it provide you with some much needed daytime distraction, but it could be the new beginning you’ve been hoping for.  A week after one of my co-workers resigned, I reluctantly accepted the duty of caring for her beta fish seeing as though braving the Chicago winter would surely be a death sentence for the less than cognizant fella.  Turns out, this was one of the best professional deals I ever closed.  Not only did I learn to love him over time but I immediately transitioned from being the new girl in town to the one with the cool fish.  Everyone from my fellow juniors to the company’s President stopped by to say hello in a matter of days.  

2) A stable work life is a happy work life.  

One thing that I can certainly vouch for, being new to the whole career thing and all, is that longevity certainly isn’t something that crosses my mind as frequently as it should.  Why think 4 or 5 years down the road when I’m fixated on making ends meet at the end of each month?  Well, while it may not be the first thing on your mind it most certainly is on your employer’s.  Part of building a successful team is making sure that each individual has a stake in the company and whether large or small, such a stake takes commitment…and time.  Something as simple as decorating your desk space sends the message that you’re there to stay and signifies that your relationship with the office is just as important as your paycheck.  

3) Independent thinkers get the worm.  

…The squeaky wheel gets the grease, whichever way you spin it, when it comes to work, sharing your ideas is just as relevant as making a positive social impression - the two are not mutually exclusive.  Decorating your desk doesn’t have to be a tiring obligation, in fact, it can serve as an opportunity to share a more personal side of yourself with the office at large.  No, I’m not promoting a wall of selfies or the latest couple pic you and your boo took on Thirsty Thursday, but hanging up a memento from your semester abroad in Spain or tickets from the last gallery opening you attended in Wicker Park, shows that you have interests outside of work and being interesting definitely beats baseline capability.  

4) Friendships weren’t built on minimalism.  

Yes, you are there to do a job and that requires neither friends nor acquaintances, to a certain extent, but long term success is a product of your network and in this day and age networks (or at least ones that work) are based on trust.  The more open you are to getting to know those around you, the more comfortable they’ll feel doing the same, because even more than performance, many companies are structured around relationships.  Point blank: promotions? new responsibilities? great opportunities?…are the products of relationships and if you’re lucky, friendships down the road.  For some people, the ability to view something as simple as your favorite hallmark ribbon color without actively seeking permission, signals enough of an openness to extend an invitation to lunch.  

In closing, I’ll leave you with this piece of advice: no conversation is too small to begin the rest of your career.  Every second you can gain knowledge, companionship, or even an ounce of trust with your colleagues is one surely worth harnessing.  So suck it up and 'pin' it up because your future might just be one conversation away.

Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Office Cubicle

Frame Game

If the idea of bringing in personal photos weirds you out, here’s an easy cost effective solution.  Just locate some scrapbook paper or old wrapping paper from around the house, cut out squares to fit your frames and…. voila! you’ve got your very own desk headboard.  

Useful Décor

A big cheat I like to use is spicing up my desk with items I’m already using on a daily basis.   It helps avoid clutter and certainly cuts costs.  If you have an office supply closet, I suggest starting there.  You’ll never believe what co-workers will leave behind when they move on to their next positions (hence the fish).  Screensavers, mousepads, a colorful tape dispenser or stapler?  All quick fixes for the sterile desk epidemic.  

Playful Storage

Sometimes the clothes off your back are a great way to show off your personal style without getting too pretentious or material driven.  You can add a simple coat rack to the back of your cubicle or organize a couple pairs of your 'dress shoes' nearby.  Trust me, any true shoe lover won’t pass up an opportunity to ask you where you got your latest pair of spring pumps.  

Flower Power 

You only have to replace them once a week and they are an instant mood booster for any afternoon lag.  If you work in a larger building, there’s likely a grocery store or convenience store nearby with some less costly options.  And the best part?  You don’t have to get the exotic $38 a pop bouquet to turn heads.  Flowers are such a rarity in the office place that any opportunity to engage with even a semblance of the outside world will be welcomed by your colleagues.  

Amina is a Chicago-based blogger/writer who works as an advertising strategist in her free time. She graduated from Amherst College in May of 2013 with a degree in American Studies and is still very much in the process of decoding the post grad life on a daily basis. If you like what you’ve read on bSmart Guide, feel free to check out more of her work on her personal blog Yours Exceptionally or for post grad advice on the go, follow her on Twitter @Amina_Taylor.

 

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