Do Couches Count as Home Offices?

I was at dinner on Monday with a friend and her beau who had just started his own firm. He’s working from home right now and mentioned what an adjustment it is from an office. And how! When we started PixiesDidIt, I went from two computer screens, a large desk, multiple phone lines and an ergonomically correct desk chair in hedgefund land to a pull-out secretary in my bedroom along a 3 foot wall seated on an extra dining chair. Although that’s not true, at first I tried copying my sister, an Organic Freedom (INFP), by moving to different spots around the house to see where I was most efficient — couch, easy chair, dining table — and as it turns out there is no place I get more work done than when seated at a traditional desk. End of story. Yet, I know in my bones this cannot be the case for everybody.

Every once in a while when I’ve been working at a desk non-stop, I’ll change things up and sit in a comfy chair. But 9 times out of 10, it’s never as productive as when I’m at a desk. This is where I’m focused and get things done. I’ve got both of my phones, my desk gadgets, the printer, lots of paper, my notebook, my purse, everything. I’m ready for my work at hand as well as whatever the day throws my way. Sometimes I can write parts of our book in my comfy chair on my laptop but when I need to be doing crazy boring billing, telephoning, secretarial work …. I need to be at my desk. Not a table, my desk. 

My Organic Freedom (NFP) sister, Katie, claims she can’t work at a desk and be productive. She also claims she needs to float around to different spots every once in a while to shake things up. Katie’s claims — buttressed by my recollection that my Organic Freedom brother has the same “issue” — got me thinking that this is a personality type preference. It’s not just their habits, it’s these mixed with my compunction to sit at a desk plus my personal history of never having enjoyed doing homework at my dining room table growing up — I only did so when I needed help. I believe it has something to do with the “J” versus “P” distinction as I’m a Classic Freedoms (SFJ).

I’m willing to wager that in general Classics (SJ) are most productive working at a traditional desk and likely so are other personality types who like structure in their outside world, Organic Structure (NFJ) and Smart Structures (NTJ). Their desks might LOOK different in terms of what’s on them but I bet the couch isn’t where these folks gravitate to do real work. This means that Organic Freedoms (NFP), Smart Freedoms (NTP) and Funs (SP) likely don’t get their most productive working hours at a confined desk area. I have not done nearly enough — okay, any — primary research to say the above with definitive certainty — and yes I realize that was redundant. But, I’m throwing it out there to start said primary research. Tell me if you think I’m dead wrong or dead right or likely somewhere in-between.