Inspiration is a deep well for most of us, but there are times when it runs dry.
The boss is cranky, a project has stalled. What do you do?
In my experience, adding a new piece of gear in your office can only help, because it gives you a new toy to test out, a productivity enhancer, and something that improves your mood. Here are a few of my favorites that add that extra spark to get motivated.
Put something under your desk that will get attention. This powerful desktop computer supports 4K resolution using an NVIDIA GTX 1080 graphics card. What does that mean? Over lunch, you can play a first-person shooter or watch a 4K movie. The desktop cube also looks like a conversation starter, glowing like an alien from Mars.
Bluetooth gets a bad name when it comes to audio, but these high-end headphones–which work fine from a Bluetooth-enabled laptop or your smartphone–sound sublime. AptX technology improves the Bluetooth signal, and the bass is super-clear (not muffled like some low-end earbuds). They last 14 hours per charge.
My office has never been the same since I started testing these massive floor-standing speakers, which have a dual 8-inch woofers and a precision design that adds a warmth and clarity to everything from Nirvana to Beyonce. A new matching sub adds extra power. The big bonus? You can work in Excel and attend a virtual Coldplay concert.
I’ve become a major fan of this new high-end videoconferencing camera. It’s the only one available to consumers that supports 4K resolution video. (You need to use the Vidyo app and connect at very high speeds.) A clip attaches to your monitor.
There’s nothing quite like a new desk that can change your perspective. This model, which measures 48-inches for the smaller version, uses a digital switch for raising and lowering for sit-stand positions, and has memory controls for quick adjustments.
Your office needs a ray of sunshine, right? This innovative product lets you grow vegetable plants like lettuce, tomatoes, and chili peppers (and strawberries). The bright lights flicker three times when you need to add more water; the bookshelf design is compact and trendy-looking.
Inspiration might run dry, but this printer rarely does. I’ve tested one for two months, printing out multiple almost every day (and an entire book twice), and the ink has not run out. The G4200 uses the new MegaTank Ink System; you can print 6,000 pages in black. To refill, you add ink to the tank system.
It’s hard to explain how this small speaker has changed my office. I now ask for a quick news summary every morning, check the weather, and inquire about NBA games. The sound from the speaker is outstanding, and it can now control lights and even your office temp. Another bonus: Google keeps improving it every month.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.