How to Focus in a Distracting World: Creating an Environment That Supports Healthy Ways of Working
We live in a noisy world full of distractions. Our brains were not made to keep up with the demands of this modern world. We are constantly being told that we should be expert multi-taskers, able to drown out all the distractions around us. The truth is, focus happens when we intentionally make it happen. We need to create an environment that supports healthy ways of working. In this blog post, I will discuss how you can create a more focused work environment for yourself and your team.
This is specifically on my mind right now because there has been a lot of change at my work recently, and with it a lot of upheaval. What I am doing day to day is shifting and once I get a new manager, will shift again. The routines and workflows that have been in place will inevitably change too. With all this uncertainty looming in the air, I have a desire to double down on my efforts for creating good habits and being productive. I am seeking out the advice of experts and here is what I will be doing this week.
First, I will create a visual barrier. I work in an open office space which means I can see people coming and going at all times of the day. Research has found that open offices not only mean less productivity for everyone, but also ironically, fewer social interactions. In order to have heads down time for myself each day, I will utilize a conference room for dedicated 1 hour chunks of time during the day.
Second, I will utilize my noise canceling headphones more. I generally pull them out only for meetings. Our brains are constantly processing what we see and what we hear. Even if we don't intend to, our brains are picking up on other conversations happening around us. All these sensory inputs can create cognitive overload in our brains and zap precious energy that we need for important tasks.
Third, I will make my phone less distracting. Put it on do not disturb, or better yet, keep it in a different room altogether or a drawer. Even knowing it's close by can be a distraction. Our phones and their notifications draw our attention away from our work. I can't help it, unless I am not even aware of the notifications in the first place.
Finally, I am forging a new association with your productive time. I will use the same playlist (with no words or in a foreign language) to pair with head down work time. It can be something else though like using the same coffee mug. Light a candle. Create an association that is only used for your productive time. This will trigger your brain to go into productivity mode. I am partial to this playlist on Spotify:
What are your favorite tips for staying focused?