In the middle of a busy workday, a complete office overhaul isn’t just impractical—it’s impossible. But what if you could significantly boost your focus, reduce stress, and enhance productivity in just ten minutes? 

The science is clear: our environment directly impacts our cognitive performance. Clutter competes for your attention, poor posture drains your energy, and a sterile space can stifle creativity. The good news? You can combat this with a quick, evidence-based workspace reset.  

When you’re working at your desk, using this 10-minute guide will lead to you having better focus while you work. You can easily source products from Gateway to make the benefits from this reset last. 

Minute 0-2: The Posture & Position Check 

• The Arm’s Length Test: Extend your arm. Your fingertips should just graze the monitor. This is the ideal distance to reduce eye strain. If your screen is too close or far, adjust it. 
• The 20-20-20 Rule Reminder: Set a timer on your phone. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple habit is proven to fight digital eye strain. 
• The Elbow & Knee Benchmark: Adjust your chair so your elbows rest at a 90-degree angle on the desk and your knees are at a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor. 

How Gateway Helps 

The foundation of good posture is the right furniture. We can provide fully ergonomic office chairs with adjustable lumbar support, armrests, and height. For the perfect monitor height, we source a range of monitor arms and stands that free up desk space and allow for effortless screen positioning. 

Minute 2-5: Declutter Your “Cognitive Load” 

Visual clutter creates mental clutter—it’s a constant, low-level distraction that increases stress and reduces your brain’s ability to process information. 

• The “One-Touch” Triage: Grab a tray or box. Quickly scan your desk and place every loose item that doesn’t have a home into this box. You’re not organizing anything yet, just clearing the visual field. 
• Create “Clutter Zones”: Designate specific, contained areas for necessary items. This contains the chaos instead of letting it spread across your entire workspace. 

How Gateway Helps 

Organization is our specialty. We can provide simple, effective solutions like: 

• Desktop Organizers: For pens, notebooks, and frequently used items. 
• Cable Management Trays: To instantly eliminate the tangled mess of wires under your desk. 
• Mobile Pedestals and Filing Cabinets: For storing papers and supplies out of sight but within reach. 

Minute 5-8: Curate Your Sightlines 

What you see impacts how you feel. Direct your gaze towards calming, focus-boosting elements. 

• The Plant Effect: Studies show that just one plant within your view can reduce stress and increase productivity. Place a small, low-maintenance plant like a succulent or snake plant on a corner of your desk or a nearby shelf. 
• Personalize with Purpose: Swap out random knick-knacks for one or two meaningful photos or items that spark joy without creating clutter. Position them where your eyes can rest during a mental break. 

How Gateway Helps 

A clean desk makes curation easy. We offer a wide selection of stylish, functional desks with clean lines and ample surface area. For vertical space, we can provide bookshelves and credenzas to place plants and personal items without sacrificing your primary work surface. 

Minute 8-10: Optimize Your Toolkit 

Your most-used tools should be the easiest to reach. 

• The Prime Real Estate Audit: The space directly in front of you and within easy arm’s reach is your prime real estate. Does it hold your keyboard, mouse, and notepad? Or is it cluttered with rarely used items? Do a quick swap. 
• Charge Smart: Designate a specific spot for your phone and headphones to charge, preferably out of your immediate line of sight to minimize distraction. 

How Gateway Helps 

We provide products designed for modern work tools. Look for desks with built-in grommet holes for cable routing or add standalone USB charging stations to keep devices powered and organized. 

Reset for Success 

You don’t need a full day to create a workspace that works for you. By investing just ten minutes into these evidence-based tweaks, you can reclaim your focus, reduce physical strain, and create an environment that actively supports your productivity. 

At Gateway, we’re your partner in building better workspaces. From ergonomic furniture to organizational tools, we help you source everything you need to make these quick resets stick.