Avoiding distraction in the workplace
When your coworker steps out of a shared area to answer a phone call, they’re not just being polite – they’re being mindful of your productivity.
A study from the University of San Diego found that people are much more distracted when they overhear a one-sided cellphone conversation than an in-person chat between two people. Most people experience this frequently in the workplace, or are guilty of it themselves. However, they probably don’t realize the distracting effects it has on their work or their coworkers.
Time.com shares 13 ways to beat distractions and stay focused at work. Some of their tips include:
[note color=”#B6D6F0″]- • Pinpoint the issue. What causes you to lose focus? Is it fatigue, hunger or a Twitter addition? Figuring out the issue is the first step toward trying to fix it.
- • Plan ahead. Envision what the workday will look like before it happens. Write down what things need to get done or what you want to accomplish. Setting goals can help people stay on track.
- • Work offline. One survey found nearly 60% of disruptions at work come from email, social networks and cell phones. So for tasks that don’t involve the Internet, try using old-fashioned paper and pen — perfect for brainstorming! Put your phone on silent and check email only occasionally (try once every hour). Limit time on social media too. You can “like” your friend’s picture of his dog later.
- • Clean up. Anything from Post-Its to pretzels and family photos can become a distraction. Clear off the workspace and have out only what’s needed (laptop, notebook, water-bottle — check!) to help stay in the zone.
- • Take little breaks. Getting to the office early, working through lunch and staying late doesn’t necessarily mean getting more stuff done. Short bursts of hard work followed by quick breaks can be more beneficial than never taking a breather, since the brain may just burn out.
For more details and other tips for staying on track, view the full article here.