My identity perception is shaped by how I’ve equipped myself

I have three monitors on my desk.

If you walked in my office, you would think my job was either a stock trader, professional gamer, or a nasa mission control specialist.

But don’t let the technology fool you. It’s not like I’m doing high stakes government work with real time data analysis. Undercover agents around the globe are not standing by to execute my orders.

And yet, my workspace setup is still deeply intentional. Nothing is an accident in my office. Multiple monitors gives me visual segmentation of tasks. This allows me to dedicate specific screens to different types of information.

One for communicating, like email and chat; one for active work, like documents and projects; and one for reference materials, like notes and databases.

Now, some people might view this setup as overwhelming, but for me it’s the opposite. I find it calming. The interface makes me feel professional, organized and in control. Plus, my brain doesn’t have to constantly reorient itself every thirty seconds like it does with a puny laptop.

There’s no switching costs. I don’t have to remember where anything is. I simply return to it seamlessly.

There’s also a sense of psychological satisfaction in organizing my thoughts physically. Instead of bouncing around inside my head, everything has its place. The world can throw whatever it wants at me, and I will know exactly how to handle it. I’m ready for anything.

So it’s more than creating utility, it’s about managing complexity.

The final point is, and this can’t be emphasized enough, sitting down at my desk makes me feel like I’m doing important work. Doesn’t matter what the task is. Booking a vet appointment for my dog, texting my brother a stupid gif, publishing an article on behalf of my company ceo, or researching the best moisture wicking undershirt, three screens elevate my sense of importance. They give ordinary life more gravitas.

After all, tools and surroundings influence mindset. It’s like a janitor wearing one of those medieval chamber maid rings with dozens of keys on it. He might be making forty grand a year while company executives are making forty million, but that guy can open any door in the building.

The screens make me feel useful and powerful. My identity perception is shaped by how I’ve equipped myself.

How does your environment give you psychological value? What tools that might overwhelm others feel calming to you?