Famous Desks of the Rich & Genius [Motion Infographic]

How does your workspace compare to the desks of famous people? Famous desks of Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Frida Kahlo and more reveal a lot about the type of leaders they were and how their work habits helped them achieve success. What descriptions come to mind about your desk organization? Meticulous? Minimalist? Hot mess?

For those who have to dig out from piles of paperwork and a random assortment of office supplies, fast food wrappers, and other miscellaneous items, know that this clutter might make you more closely aligned with genius level than you think. Einstein was a fan of a messy desk space and research has shown “people in messy rooms were quicker at solving creative problems than those in tidy rooms.” Who knew?

When it comes to “having a successful desk,” it’s not only about how our desks look, but how they make us feel. Does your desk make you feel productive? Creative? Or, is it simply a place for you to respond to emails and schedule appointments? Consider how much time you spend at your desk and if it’s the right space to perform your best work.

In our newest infographic, we take a look at some of the most prolific minds in history and find out what their desk habits say about them. Some stand at their desks, while others sit. Then, there are leaders like Oprah Winfrey who spend as little time at their desks as possible. Your desk may feel like a draining space or an inspiring place where you jot down brilliant ideas and share them with others.

Learn how to set up your desk for success by taking a look at the work habits of successful people past and present in the Desk Styles of the Rich & Genius motion infographic below. How closely do you identify with these famous desks and work habits? We don’t know about you, but the idea of napping on the job Arianna Huffington-style sounds pretty good to us.