How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

So in the last post I discussed the findings that an excess of technology can cut points from your IQ. Obviously it would be better to cut down on the technology you use. Here are some ideas:

• Leave your work cell phone at the office when you leave for the evening (and weekends). Unless you have a high priority job where people contact you at all hours of the night for actual REAL business issues leave it at work. If it’s around you may have a compulsion to answer it, look at it, re-listen to saved messages. You’re at home so no, no, and no.
• Get rid of spam and junk faxes. Or at least get less of it. Less spam equals less time filtering email! 
• Make sure that at least half of your office day is tech-free. Meaning; if you don’t need tech for your job (your job as in the work you are paid for) turn off the cell, Blackberry, and computer (or at least the first two) while you work for a concentrated amount of time each and every workday.
• See if your office will streamline tech issues. For instance can one person, say a secretary, gather up all the little news of the week and simply send it in one complied company email each week? Better yet, do you have to email Joe to ask where the file of so and so is? If Joe is in your building go ask, in person. Unless Joe is super annoying; then by all means email.
• Get a small pad of paper and a pen. This handy set of tools can be used to write down phone messages as you listen thus making sure you only listen once then erase it. You can write down questions and send them all at once in an email or save them until you see the person.

• Choose a favorite means of communication and stick with it as often as possible. Now this is not always easy because Bob love his cell and Nancy likes emails better but now-a-days there are gadgets that do everything. You can use one gadget to make calls, send emails, and listen to music during the day or you can use three. Use one. Streamline when possible. Not only is this better for your brain but better for the planet in terms of energy consumption and waste.
• Order a copy of Coping with Too Much Communication; a guide that can help you deal with the overwhelming amount of emails and voicemails you get daily.

How do you deal with communication and technology overload at the office? Is it zapping your creativity and drive?