- In a time where it seems like
a lot of people are upgrading to these amazing
triple display workstations
and crazy standing desks
that do all this raising and lowering automatically,
and people are building out offices
and everything is expanding and growing,
all of which are awesome,
I made a implementation to my workflow
that has changed everything.
This is my new office.
It is under $40, and there's no hyperbole
when I say that this has probably had the biggest impact
on my overall workflow,
almost more than anything I've gotten in the past few years,
but the reason this has been such a game changer for me
is because it has reduced friction
when it comes to getting work done.
So with a full time job, I'm on my feet basically all day,
and when I am sitting down working at work,
I'm, you know, in an office chair.
(dogs barking)
We will wait for the dogs.
And when I am sitting at my desk and working at work,
I'm in an office chair, very standard desk,
fluorescent lights, it's really not
like the most comfortable or enjoyable environment
and then when I come home
and I want to make videos,
because that's pretty much what all of my free time
is spent on and I love that,
as much as I love filming videos in this room,
I actually don't find myself editing
in here very much at all,
because I feel kind of isolated.
So I typically find myself out like at the kitchen counter,
or editing on the couch,
which is probably my favorite place,
because even if Heather and I are sitting next
to each other, editing totally separate videos
or something on the couch,
it still doesn't feel like we're being isolated,
and we still get to enjoy each other's company
while we're working on things
and I just enjoy being out,
rather than locked away while I'm working.
But I don't want to put my computer on a pillow,
or a blanket while I'm editing on the couch
because that's just a bad idea all around.
It restricts airflow.
It's very bad for the computer.
I just got my computer a few months ago
and I really want to take care of it,
so I don't really want to suffocate it,
and that's where this lovely thing comes into play.
And the reason that I got this one that specifically.
I did a little bit of research on Amazon
to find one with good reviews and that was the right size.
There's like an infinite variety of these.
I will put a link to this specific one down below
in case this is one you're interested in.
But the reason I liked it was
because with the 16 inch MacBook,
it's just the right size
for the MacBook to be on the lap desk
with a little bit of extra space along the side,
so that way you ca have some notes or hard drive,
or something like that.
The computers not hanging off the edges,
which means when you're editing
it gives you all the comfort of being able to, kind of,
be a lazy bum on the couch,
but the computer has all of the stability and airflow
of being on a regular desk.
This has a really nice bamboo wooden top,
and then it has this cushion on the bottom
which is kind of firm.
There's a little pen holder on the side of the cushion
to make sure there's a pen always available.
It does have a lip right here,
so that way if it's angled your computer, or your tablet,
or your work, or whatever
is not going to slide off onto your lap.
And it also has this little notch at the top,
so you can prop up like a phone, or a tablet, or a book,
or something, and it's shockingly practical.
The thing I haven't done with it yet,
is eat off of it on the couch,
because it would be an amazing like couch table
to just eat dinner while watching a show or something.
And I'm sure we'll do that one day,
but the reason I haven't done it yet,
is because I think when I do that,
I may never leave the couch, again,
and I'm not ready to make that couch commitment just yet.
But it also has (velcro ripping) just two velcro strips.
So, if you do eat on a couch
and you get the cushion all dirty or whatever,
you can just detach it and clean it,
even replace it entirely.
And there's even a little handle
to make it easy to carry,
because who doesn't look super cool
carrying their teal bamboo lap desk around with them.
But the real reason that I wanted to make this video
and share this with you,
I know this isn't super camera related,
but it is video production related,
because like I mentioned in the beginning,
it reduces friction,
and that has been, like, almost something
I've become obsessed with over the past few months,
is anytime there's something
that introduces a little bit of friction into my workflow,
if I can eliminate that,
it makes such a difference.
Even pieces of equipment.
If there's something that I'm kind of annoyed,
by having to set up every time I want to film,
if I can just leave it set up, that makes a huge difference.
If I can be more comfortable, editing,
especially after a long day at work
where I come home and I don't want to just sit at a desk
and do work, but if I can be comfortable
on the couch with Heather and our dogs.
(dogs barking)
Whether it's from my YouTube channel or my day job,
I can just be more productive,
more comfortably, which means I get more work done
and for whatever reason, I've also noticed
that I've been editing more quickly using this lap desk.
I think just because it works and you kind of get into
that flow state, and things just get done,
so my efficiency has gone through the roof
just from this little thing right here.
So if you're like me and you can't afford
a whole brand new office studio dedicated space,
this is probably the best,
most affordable office you can get.
And, again, it sounds silly, seems silly,
such a cool game changing, amazing deal.
I didn't put this on straight.
And I'm a fan of anything that makes doing your work
and creating your stuff easier
because then you will do more and create more,
and hopefully have more fun while you're doing it.
(gentle music)