
I first embarked on my journey to create the perfect desk setup in 2018, when I made the big move from [Mauritius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius) to Canada.

The notion of an ideal desk setup has always been a tantalizing dream of mine. But when can we honestly say, "This is it, this is the setup I always wanted."? Well, there's no definitive answer to that. However, after a few years of relentless experimentation, I can confidently say that I'm truly happy with what I have.

I have always been passionate in exploring different areas of knowledge. Which is somehow reflected in all my past experiences. Most people focus on one specific domain of expertise and become experts in it. Even I have my expertises, I'm always looking to explore new domains. And this is what you will see reflected in my different desk setups.

(Check out the list of all the gear I use at https://kit.co/thedaviddias)

## Daily desk setup

Yes, my desk is usually that clean! No kidding! Almost every morning or night, I make a habit of removing from my desk what I don't need, like a cup of tea or the last letter that came in the mail.

![My white standing desk with two monitors (with colorful backgrounds), 2 white speakers, a mixer, an ipad on a stand and Elgato lights](/images/articles/ideal-desk-setup-personal-journey/daily-setup-01.jpg 'My ideal daily desk setup')

What makes a desk setup almost perfect? It just has to be a place where you feel comfortable and productive! I don't like having a space cluttered with things I don't really need. I am always trying to figure out how I can replace a specific function with a smaller or more minimalistic piece of gear. It's sometimes hard to strike a balance between minimalism and productivity, but I think I am getting there.

My main computers (both personal and professional) are Macs. My personal one is a **[MacBook M1 Max, 14-inch from 2021 with 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB hard drive](https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-14-and-16/)**. And of course, I added a [DBrand skin](https://dbrand.com/shop/apple-macbook-pro-14-skins-2021#/customizer/edit/design) called "Top Skin Hyperblack Titanium" for the top and Matte Black for the bottom.

As you can see in the picture above, I work with [two screens](https://kit.co/thedaviddias/ultimate-desk-setup-unleashing-productivity/dell-p2720dc-27-16) instead of one. Many people I know are fans of wide, curved screens. I've tried it, but I constantly put my apps in full screen and you can't do that without a window management app.

I love mechanical keyboards! I have multiple ones, but the one I chose for my setup is the [Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim 75%](https://kit.co/thedaviddias/ultimate-desk-setup-unleashing-productivity/keychron-k3-version). It's thin and wireless. The keys don't make too much noise, which is important when you are in a meeting. I use it in combination with the [Logitech MX Master 3S](https://kit.co/thedaviddias/ultimate-desk-setup-unleashing-productivity/6718058-logitech-mx-master-3).

## Music desk setup

I have studied and played music for more than 10 years. But for many years, I didn't touch a single instrument. 2-3 years ago, I decided to get back to it. I initially bought the Novation Mini [MK3]. It was nice creating some songs in [Ableton](https://www.ableton.com/) with it, but I quickly felt that I needed normal keys. After weeks of research and comparison, I chose the [Novation Launchkey 49 MK3](https://kit.co/thedaviddias/office-extras-gearing-up-for-ultimate-efficiency/6718487-novation-launchkey-4).

![Same desk setup but this time with a Novation Keyboards with 49 keys](/images/articles/ideal-desk-setup-personal-journey/music-setup-01.jpg 'My ideal music desk setup with my Novation Launchkey 49 MK3')

I'm fortunate enough to afford access to [Kontakt and Komplete Standard edition](https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/) from Native Instruments. They have so many instruments, I'm still exploring them all!

## Electronics desk setup

I started tinkering with electronics in 2011. I have left many electronic gears in every country and place I lived in! I have built a lot of unfinished projects. These days, time is the only thing that is missing to finish them. But I still love playing with electronics. I have the amazing Weller Digital Soldering Station (WE1010NA) and a few boxes filled with tools and components. I might write an article exclusively about my tools!

![](/images/articles/ideal-desk-setup-personal-journey/electronics-setup-01.jpg)

Ironically, what took me a long time to find was the magnifying glass. I had a specific idea in mind. I finally found one that seems to be using exactly the same arm as Rode. Funny.

Maybe one day I will have a dedicated desk for electronics. But for now, I'm happy with what I have.

## Craft desk setup

I wish I was a better artist! At least, I've been trying! I have a lot of respect for people who can draw, paint, etc... But whenever I can, I try to learn something new. Doing something with my hands is a great way to relax and forget about the computer and coding. I wish I could spend more time doing that.

A few years ago, when I was living in Paris, I would spend a fortune at [Aroma Zone](https://www.aroma-zone.com/). I would make products based on essential oils. I would make my own shampoo, shower gel, etc... I also made my own candles. It was amazing! Unfortunately, in Canada, I've never found a similar shop.

![](/images/articles/ideal-desk-setup-personal-journey/craft-setup-01.jpg)

## And you, what is your ideal desk setup?

Everyone is different, and our needs and aspirations are different. I am curious to know - what is your ideal desk setup? What do you like to have on your desk? What do you enjoy doing? What is your dream setup?

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Join me as I take you on a tour of my ideal desk setup, showing how it has evolved over the years, and how it enhances my productivity and creative pursuits.

My Ideal Desk Setup: A Personal Journey


Spolight on Mac is great, but it always lacked the possibility to add custom commands and third party access. And that's where [Alfred](https://www.alfredapp.com/) comes in. It's a great application that allows you to do just that. I have been a big fan of "Alfred" at least since 2015. I would recommend this application to anyone who wants to be more productive on their Mac. I was a big fan!

But few months ago, one of my colleague talked to me about [Raycast](https://raycast.com/). Eager to always find better tools and expand my productivity, I decided to give it a try. The first thing I noticed was the speed. Not that "Alfred" is slow, but Raycast was just blazing fast!

I was hooked! And when I found out that all the applications were build in TypeScript, this was the cherry on the cake! After a few weeks now using it, I don't see myself going back.

And today, I wanted to share with you the 10 applications I use the most in Raycast, on a daily basis. Those applications are more towards developers but I highly recommend you to check Raycast out (it's free)

## One Password

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-1password.jpg)

[1Password](https://www.raycast.com/khasbilegt/1password) has been my password manager for many years. I can search, copy username or password, open the website. The only annoying part is the fact that [1Password](https://1password.com/) always ask me to give access to the application. Annoying but still useful.

## TailwindCSS Docs

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-tailwind-docs.jpg)

I use [TailwindCSS](https://tailwindcss.com/) and nothing better than opening the TailwindCSS documentation directly from Raycast. I could search directly on the website but this saves me some clicks.

## Github

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-github.jpg)

Open pull requests, notifications, discussions from [Github](https://www.raycast.com/raycast/github)... I can also search directly repositories from Raycast.

## Spotify

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-spotify.jpg)

Play, pause, stop, next... I can [control Spotify](https://www.raycast.com/thomas/spotify-controls) directly from Raycast. This is something I was always using on Alfred, couldn't approve Raycast if I didn't have this option.

## Raindrop

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-raindrop.jpg)

Raindrops is my favourite bookmark manager. The kind of tool that constantly adds new features. I can search, open, add new bookmarks directly from Raycast with the [Raindrop](https://www.raycast.com/lardissone/raindrop-io) application.

## Vercel

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-vercel-deployments.jpg)

I love seeing the status of [my deployment on Vercel](https://www.raycast.com/vercel/vercast) from Raycast. Can directly open my projects too.

## Visual Studio Code

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-vscode.jpg)

I use "[Visual Studio Code](https://www.raycast.com/thomas/visual-studio-code)" Raycast App in combinaison with "[Project Manager](https://www.raycast.com/MarkusLanger/vscode-project-manager)" to quickly access all my projects in an instant.

## Bonus: Clipboard History

![](/images/articles/raycast-applications-super-developer/raycast-clipboard.jpg)

This is not an application, but a feature I loved on Alfred and actually exists on Raycast, even it's slighly less powerful.

"Clipboard History" give you access to your last copied items. I've assign the double `⌥` (action) key to open the clipboard history. This is a feature I use constantly, and I'm glad it's available on Raycast.


Raycast is one of the best tool if you want to speed up your productivity on Mac. Here are the 10 applications I use the most in Raycast, on a daily basis.

Raycast Applications That Will Make You a Super Developer!


![](/images/articles/how-morning-routine-can-positively-change-your-life-forever/featured.jpeg 'Meditation is part of my Morning Routine now…')

I cannot remember how many times it was hard for me to wake up in the morning. The snooze button was my best friend every morning, and I even hated when I was late to go somewhere. It was hard to believe that other ways could possibly exist when you work in my job area.

> At that time, I believed only one possible way to live was possible.

As a Front-End Web Developer, these last years, sleeping 3–4 hours per night during a few successive days, drinking cups of coffee during the day (sometimes Redbull) was my ritual and my life. And I thought all developers life was close to that. To be the best, you need to go further, faster and perform better than others, and you cannot be restful, calm, have lot of leisure if you want to succeed…

## Moving to Mauritius in 2015

I was asked to move from France to Mauritius in October 2015, delaying my goal to move to North America, to help my company to grow up and to manage a Front-End team of 12 persons (today 20).

I met my wife on that island, the most beautiful and Kind woman ever ([Kajaal Dias](https://twitter.com/kajaaldias)). And you may imagine I was in the paradise…

But in reality, it was far to be the paradise like most of my colleagues and friends may still imagine.

At that point of my life, I was not feeling accomplished; I was not really happy for what I was doing and I was not living the life I always wanted.

As most of the people, I was not able to take **real actions** and **make changes** to build something new and different.

## Hacking my body to sleep only 4 hours per day

In October 2016, seeing web tutorials on Youtube, my eyes were attracted by a video title “[My 20 Hour Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-TFHVIyhaU)” by [Travis Neilson](https://medium.com/@travisneilson) on his [DevTips channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyIe-61Y8C4_o-zZCtO4ETQ). And that was probably the start of lots of changes in my life.

It was the first time I heard about “[polyphasic sleep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biphasic_and_polyphasic_sleep)”. A way to sleep less, but being in good health and more alert than sleeping successive 8 hours. At the beginning, I thought it was another fake experiment that may work for few people only. But my curiosity pushed me to dive in some advanced research. (Thanks to Damien Fauché and his french ebook: “[How to sleep only 2h per day](http://pleindetrucs.fr/guide-polyphasique/)”)

---

Finally, few days after, I decided to try the polyphasic sleep - Everyman 3.

At the beginning it was hard and challenging but my motivation and dedication help me not to give up. Today, it has been 4 months that I’m still sleeping 3–4 hours at night and taking 2–3 naps during the day.

My core sleeping time is between 10h30 pm to 2h30–3h00 am. I do my first nap at home before leaving for work at 7h am for 25 minutes, my second nap is at 1h pm during lunch time for 20 minutes (in my car) and the third one at home again at 6h30 pm for 25 minutes after working hours.

![Screenshots of the Smart Sleep iOS appplication. It shows statistics of my hours sleeping and awake.](/images/articles/how-morning-routine-can-positively-change-your-life-forever/sleep-ios-screenshots.jpeg '<a href="http://www.smartsleepteam.com/">Smart Sleep</a> on iOS helps me to track my naps and to wake up. The start was not easy.')

It is not always simple to be regular, but it’s really essential to listen to your body. I remember sometimes at the beginning sleeping much more in the weekend because I missed some naps during the weekdays. I simply took attention to my body reactions and even you need to try hard at the beginning to create a new habit, your body can adapt if your are really aware of its needs.

Today I am able to fall in sleep in less than 5 minutes (I slow down my breath, put myself in a stress-free position and not let my thoughts haunt me). That helps a lot when you need to do a 20 minutes nap.

Some weeks after, I started to feel that my life can be different, I could do things differently and put a real step forward to my dreams and achieve more than I always wanted to do.

## Five minutes to change your way of thinking

Putting a step forward in life, is putting a step ahead of others. And to feel good with others, you need to feel good in your life. And it started with me being grateful…

> Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and simply appreciate what we have, even in general we don’t want to see how lucky we are.

I started writing into “[The Five Minute Journal](https://www.intelligentchange.com/products/the-five-minute-journal)”. It is not a journal like the others. It allows me to be grateful, mindful and plan which great things will happen during my day. I feel positive and happier when I use it.

<Tweet url="https://twitter.com/TheDavidDias/status/818964414556672002" />

Starting my day with my journal, creating and tracking new habits were just the beginning of my journey.

## The “Miracle Morning” saved me (S.A.V.E.R.S.)

Sleeping less allowed me to have time… much more time (one more day in my week). And even I love my work and to be a programmer, I felt I gave maybe too much to my coding life and not to my personal life and personal growth. I needed to put a real daily routine, a way to equilibrate my life in all its aspects.

After starting my Five Minute Journal, I discovered “[The Miracle Morning](http://www.miraclemorning.com/)” by Hal Elrod, reading articles and [his book](https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484989057&sr=8-1&keywords=miracle+morning). That was exactly what I was looking for!

Then I started to put a morning routine using my favorite Todo app (Todoist).

<Tweet url="https://twitter.com/TheDavidDias/status/819402651662069760" />

**_S.A.V.E.R.S_** means Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercises, Reading and Scribing. These 6 elements are part of my daily routine now and help me to start my day in the most positive way.

## My typical Morning Routine and his apps

Waking up at 2h30 am, I start my day with a **glass of water** and a personal recipe with **lemon**, water, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, apple cider, honey and collagen (everything organic). It allows me to feel good for whatever I ate the day before or will eat during the day. That did a huge change for my stomach, and I never had any stomach problems or pain again. (Remember in Mauritius, most of the recipes are spicy).

I brew my “Kick Ass” **coffee** from [Kicking Horse Coffee](https://www.kickinghorsecoffee.com/en) with my beautiful [Java Presse](https://www.javapresse.com/) (I really love USA brands). I don’t really need coffee, but it’s more a personal pleasure for my morning ritual. (Sometimes I drink the [Bulletproof Coffee](http://www.bulletproof.com/) by [Dave Asprey](https://medium.com/@bulletproofexec) with Coconut Oil and Ghee).

![](/images/articles/how-morning-routine-can-positively-change-your-life-forever/5-minutes-journal-coffee.jpg)

For **meditation** I use the excellent app [calm.com](https://www.calm.com/). It can take only 10 minutes sometimes more, but that practice in my life had a significant impact in my way I live the present and feel more peaceful. There are other useful apps like [Headspace](https://www.headspace.com/) amongst others.

I wrote some **affirmations** I read every morning and before to go bed. After I take some minutes to **visualize** what I want to achieve in my day, that helps me to keep focus.

I use [Day One](https://dayoneapp.com/) for **scribbing** whatever I feel or have in mind during my day and recently move to [Fields Notes](https://fieldnotesbrand.com/) for my [Morning Pages](http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/) (thanks to [Loic Le Meur](https://medium.com/@loic)).

I put [Brain.fm](https://www.brain.fm/) for 15 minutes (with my headphones) and read at least for 15 minutes. I created a list of books on [Evernote](https://medium.com/@evernote) I want to read each week and month. I’m challenging myself with [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/60055286-david-dias) to read 50 books in 2017… I am late already… :)

I regularly undertake activities like coding, watching tutorials, design, social media updates, new projects depending on the day. It is normally between 1h to 1h30 hours in the morning and oneextra hour in the evening.

Then when my wife wakes up, we go for a 20 minutes **walk** in the park near our apartment. Before I take my shower, 5 minutes of **plank** and 5 minutes of **shaper**, it’s enough for me to sweat and feel good.

I add when I have 20 minutes free some Yoga exercises with the help of [Daily Yoga](https://www.dailyyoga.com/#/). Otherwise I participate every Saturday morning to a session class.

![The most beautiful and clean park you can find in Mauritius](/images/articles/how-morning-routine-can-positively-change-your-life-forever/park-mauritius.jpg)

I take my cold shower hearing my favorite podcasts [The School of Greatness](http://lewishowes.com/category/podcast/) by Lewis Howes, The [5 AM miracle](https://www.jeffsanders.com/the-5-am-miracle-podcast/) by Jeff Sanders and [The Tim Ferris Show](http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast/) by Tim Ferriss. Can’t leave home without hearing these guys!

Since few weeks, I’m practicing [Intermittent Fasting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_fasting), so I don’t take breakfast but instead, I prepare a natural juice with cucumber, lemon, parsley, apple, carrot, wheat grass and with all others vegetables and fruits I find around.

During my short trajet to work (10 minutes), I listen with my wife some best-selling nonfiction books using [Blinkist](https://www.blinkist.com/). I really recommend you to take a premium account, it is worths every penny.

Then I start my day at work with some other routines I may share in another article.

(I use to track some new habits on my mini-book “Track your habits” by [kikki.k](http://www.kikki-k.com/) and with the [Coach.me app](https://www.coach.me/).)

## My new habits and Routines are only at the beginning

Experimenting lot of new things in the previous 4 months, give me the will to go further and do everything I can to achieve my goals and dreams.

I know I’m still adjusting with my Morning Routine, but I can’t go back after all what I discovered, all people I meet that give me some mindfulness and clarity in the life. I’m so grateful for all of this.

Nothing can stop me now to fulfill every single unique present moment of my life.

---

## Tell me about your Daily or Morning Routine

And you, do you have a daily or morning routine?

What you do daily to **improve your life**, **achieve your goals** and take actions **to build the life you want**?


Having a Morning Routine can positively change your life in so many good ways. Through experimentation, I explore ways to improve my health and my mindset.

Productivity articles

My Ideal Desk Setup: A Personal Journey

Raycast Applications That Will Make You a Super Developer!

How a Morning Routine can positively change your life forever