How Your Desk Can Get You Promoted

Office of J. Crew's Jenna Lyons.To be successful, you have to be a little chic," advises Heather Clawson, blogger and author of Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work. After visiting the offices of successful business leaders, Clawson learned that how your desk is set up can really influence how you perform at work. If you're itching for a promotion, check out her insider tips.

By Michelle Ruiz

Go Green
Studies have shown that flowers help put people in a great mood. Clawson found that fashion gurus like J. Crew's Jenna Lyons boost productivity with fresh flora and fauna.

Make a Mood Board
Tack inspirational images right where you can see them, like fashion designer Chris Benz. If it's right in front of you, you're always striving for it-whether it's something that moves you or to remind yourself, 'I want a vacation on that beach.'

Related: The Best Excuses for Calling Out of Work

Display the Write Stuff
"It's nice to have notes and cards to remind you of great achievements," Clawson suggests. One fashion insider stays motivated with special letters and drawings from his career.

Make Yourself at Home
If you're working hard, you probably spend more time at the office than at home, so make it look nice. Impress clients (and get cozy) with a bright throw blanket, scarf or pillow, like designer Jonathan Adler.

Related: How to Deal with Difficult People at Work

Book It
"Successful types are always working toward their goals and trying to learn something new in their field," Clawson says. Fill your office space with books about your profession.

Keep It Clean
"If you went to someone's super messy office, I don't think you'd want to do business with them or promote them," Clawson says. Keep your space organized like Saks Fifth Avenue creative director and Fashion Star judge Terron Schaefer.

Related: How to Handle a Work Setback

Declutter Creatively
Just because your desk is neat doesn't mean it has to be blah. Designer Peter Som gets creative with his storage, keeping all of his pens and pencils in hollowed candle containers.


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