Does your job require you to be and look all profesh and serious all the time? Being yourself at your workplace has been shown to increase happiness and productivity.
When you’re a nerd, being yourself can clash with your corporate persona. I’ve been lucky. My last workplace type job was a place that celebrated creativity. Desks were covered in toys, Funko Pops, postcards, sports collectibles, and art work. And now I work from home where I am surrounded by my favorite things and lots of inspiration.
Here are some ways to express your geeky nature at work!
Go for subtle with accessories
The easiest way to feel the Force at work is to accessorize. You can go all Clark Kent and wear your favorite graphic tee under your shirt. Socks, ties, watches and jewelry can be subtly clever!
Nerdify your cubicle at work
Sneak some fandom onto your desk with calendars, a photo of you with that celeb you met at Comic Con, or your favorite collectible.
If your office is more austere, find a simple print of your favorite motivational quote from a movie, song or book! You can find these on Etsy or Amazon or make your own. Or you can download one of my favorite quotes from my free resource library!
And there are lots of minimalist or subtle fandom art pieces. I had a print similar to this one on my desk at work, and many non-fans didn’t realize it was from Doctor Who.
There’s an episode of The Simpsons where Homer reveals that he’s got all of Maggie’s baby pics covering his workspace. I’ve always loved that image and keep pictures of my friends and family close by!
Make it personal
If you can get away with it, use a fun photo for your profile picture. I used this one for years. People told me it made me seem friendly and approachable!
Add a fun tagline to your email signature or IM bio if you can. My most recent tagline was “Olivia Pope” because I was known for fixing problems.
You can change your desktop image to reflect your personality. You can free loads of free desktop wallpapers online.
Why bring your nerd life to work?
Being your you-est you is guaranteed to make you happier. My nerd power of obsession is a useful skill at work. I know lots of random things, I can super focus on details, and I bring a sense of fun and creativity to the job. And while you don’t want to be the office Dwight Schrute, having some personal things around can help you break the ice with co-workers, show that you’re friendly and fun, and attract your fellow nerds!
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Read more about my obsessions and adventures at http://robinsnerdlife.com/
Try this step if you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list.
