Props

I have several books on my shelf at work related to the job I do. Some have been sitting there for years. Just sitting. A part of me keeps them around because I think I might want to refer to them or, in a moment of compete fantasy, I pretend I might actually read them all the way through. Fact is, almost any problem I run into I can resolve using the internet. I really don’t need those books.

So yesterday, I’m looking at them and wondering why I really keep them. It’s true that I hate throwing away any book but I think I keep them because I’m under the illusion they make me look like I’m well versed in my job. “Hey, he has books on his shelf that I wouldn’t understand; he must be brilliant at what he does!” Or something.

So do you keep useless stuff on your desk that maybe makes you look, or at least feel, more professional? I’m talking about things you really don’t need or use but project an image of being more into you job than perhaps you really are.