Skip to content
Influencer StackWhat the influencers actually use.
Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.

Dedicated writing desk

A desk kept for writing only, separate from the admin setup

One desk reserved for a single kind of work, usually writing, and kept clear of the printer, the filing and the second monitor. Sometimes it is built to fit a specific small room. What it buys you is association: at this desk, the only thing on offer is the writing.

Who backs it

Sorted by strength of stance

  • Cal NewportDoes it

    Computer science professor · author of Deep Work

    The library where he writes has no permanent technology in it, no computer, monitor or printer. What it does have is a desk he had built to fit the room by a Maine company that makes desks for college libraries. Printers, filing and the big monitors sit in a separate home office.

    Source: Huberman Lab podcast transcript: Cal Newport

Aimed at the same thing

Other entries filed under focus or productivity.

  • Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.

    Kindle e-reader

    Amazon

    E-ink reader that makes a daily reading habit easy to keep

    Backed by 6 of 62 stacks: 6 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.

    Standing desk

    A desk that raises, so part of the working day happens on your feet

    Backed by 4 of 62 stacks: 3 do it, 1 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.

    iPad

    Apple

    Apple's tablet, used here as the device the reading app runs on

    Backed by 3 of 62 stacks: 3 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.

    Paper notebook

    A bound notebook for thinking on paper away from a screen

    Backed by 3 of 62 stacks: 3 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.

    Phone lockbox

    A lockable box with a timer that puts the phone out of reach for a set period

    Backed by 2 of 62 stacks: 2 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.

    AirPods Max

    Apple

    Apple's over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation and spatial audio

    Backed by 1 of 62 stacks: 1 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it

Gear entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.