Why Your Monitor Setup Matters More Than You Think
Over the years, many people have asked me, “Scott, how do you set up your monitor so you can work at your productive best and stay focused?”
It might sound simple. It’s just a screen, right?
But your monitor setup can either create clarity or chaos. It can help you move faster. Or it can waste your time every single day.
Most business owners feel overwhelmed because their tools are scattered everywhere. Their apps are open in random places. Files are hard to find. Tabs are out of control.
That is why I built a simple system.
And today, I want to show you exactly how I organize my ultra wide monitor so I can stay focused, reduce distractions, and get more done in less time.
Because remember:
You deserve to work without feeling overwhelmed.
Why I Use an Ultra Wide Monitor
Before we get into the layout, let me say this: you do not need an ultra wide monitor to follow this system.
But there are benefits.
An ultra wide monitor gives me more room without adding another screen. I used to experiment with dual monitors. I tried different layouts. I sliced my screen into different shapes and sections.
But I kept coming back to one idea:
Keep it simple.
Instead of juggling multiple monitors, I now split my ultra wide into four clear sections. That’s it.
Four zones. Four purposes.
Each one has a job.
The Four-Zone Productivity System
Here is how I divide my screen:
- Large center section
- Narrow left section
- Top right section
- Bottom right section
Each area supports my workflow. Each area reduces friction. And together, they form a simple system that saves time every day.
Let’s break it down.
Zone 1: The Main Work Area (Center – 60%)
The center of my screen takes up about 60 percent of the space.
This is where I do most of my work.
For me, that usually means my web browser.
I try to keep my tabs under seven at a time. When you open too many tabs, your brain feels cluttered. You lose focus. You jump around.
The center section forces me to focus on the main task.
About 80 to 90 percent of my day is spent here.
If something does not directly support what I’m doing in this center area, it probably does not need to be open.
That simple rule alone saves time.
Zone 2: AI or Files (Left Side)
On the left-hand side, I use this narrow section for one of two things:
- AI
- Files and folders
AI has become a major part of my workflow. I often keep it open throughout the day.
Why?
Because I am constantly refining ideas, drafting content, brainstorming, summarizing, or clarifying information.
I copy and paste between my main browser and AI. Sometimes I dictate my prompts using voice. That helps me move faster.
AI is not a distraction for me. It is a support tool.
But here is the key:
If I don’t need it, I minimize it.
Just because a tool is powerful does not mean it must always be visible.
The same goes for files.
If I need to quickly grab a document, drag something into email, or upload a file into a project management tool, I can do it instantly from this left section.
No searching. No minimizing windows. No wasted time.
Drag and drop. Done.
Zone 3: Quick Notes & Reference (Top Right)
The top right area is my “temporary thinking space.”
This is usually a simple notepad.
These are not long-term notes. These are scratch notes.
Phone numbers. Quick reminders. Numbers I need to compare. Snippets of text.
Sometimes I drag a spreadsheet there instead. Sometimes a document.
The point is simple:
It’s visible, but it doesn’t dominate my screen.
I can glance at it without losing focus on my main work.
This small change prevents constant window switching. And every time you switch windows, you lose focus.
Even a few seconds of distraction adds up.
Zone 4: Dedicated Tool (Bottom Right)
The bottom right section is special.
It has only one job.
For me, that job is the calculator.
I use the calculator at least a dozen times a day. So instead of opening and closing it repeatedly, I gave it a permanent home.
This may seem small. But small improvements add up.
I don’t drag anything else into that space.
That is important.
When every section has a purpose, your system stays clean.
If every section is flexible and random, your system breaks down.
Structure creates freedom.
Customizing the Layout
I use a Dell ultra wide monitor with built-in software that lets me create custom layouts.
There are preset options. But none of them worked exactly how I wanted.
So I created my own layout.
That is important.
Don’t force your workflow into someone else’s system.
Build a system that supports how you actually work.
Sometimes I expand a window to full screen. For example, if I’m working on a large spreadsheet or reviewing a big project board.
But most of the time, I stay within my four-zone layout.
Because it keeps me organized.
It keeps me focused.
And it keeps me moving.
Why This System Works for Business Owners
Most business owners don’t struggle with effort.
They struggle with friction.
Too many apps. Too many tabs. Too many tools.
Their screen reflects their overwhelm.
If your digital workspace is cluttered, your mind will feel cluttered too.
That is why I always say:
Simplify your tools and take back control.
Your monitor setup should support your workflow — not fight against it.
When everything has a place, you waste less time searching.
When your main task is front and center, you stay focused.
When AI is accessible but not distracting, you move faster.
When your notes are visible but temporary, you think more clearly.
This is not about having a fancy monitor.
It is about building a simple system.
How to Apply This Even Without an Ultra Wide Monitor
Maybe you do not have an ultra wide monitor.
That’s okay.
You can still apply this idea.
If you have one screen, divide it into sections using window snapping.
If you have two monitors, assign each monitor a purpose.
One for deep work. One for support tools.
The key is not the size of the screen.
The key is intentional layout.
Ask yourself:
What is my main work area?
What tools support that work?
What tools distract from it?
Then design your screen around those answers.
Reduce Distraction, Increase Focus
I do not keep everything open at all times.
That is a mistake many people make.
They think productivity means seeing everything.
It doesn’t.
Productivity means seeing only what matters right now.
If I don’t need AI, I minimize it.
If I don’t need my files, I hide them.
My goal is to spend 80 to 90 percent of my time focused on the main task.
That level of focus creates momentum.
And momentum builds results.
The Emotional Side of Organization
Let’s talk about something deeper.
When your tools are messy, you feel behind.
When your screen is cluttered, you feel stressed.
When you can’t find what you need, you feel frustrated.
But when your system works for you?
You feel calm.
You feel in control.
You feel confident.
And confidence changes how you show up in your business.
Your environment shapes your behavior.
Your screen is part of your environment.
So design it carefully.
My Simple Rule for Every Tool
Every tool must earn its place.
If it saves time, it stays.
If it reduces friction, it stays.
If it creates distraction, it goes.
That rule applies to apps.
It applies to browser tabs.
And it applies to screen space.
Because again:
You deserve to work without feeling overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
This four-zone monitor system has transformed how I work.
It helps me organize my workflow.
It helps me use AI more effectively.
It helps me stay focused on what matters most.
And most importantly, it helps me save time.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by too many apps, too many windows, and too much digital clutter, start with your screen.
Simplify it.
Give each section a purpose.
Protect your main work area.
And build a system that supports your business instead of slowing it down.
Because when your tools are simple, your work becomes powerful.