Eliminate Distractions for Peak Performance

The jury is still out on open office spaces. Open office space was designed with the concept of increasing collaboration and creativity, but it also creates unwanted distractions such as ringing phones and vibrations from devices. It's not only happening in businesses. The failed attempt at open school floor plans of the 1970s has similar implications. The premise was to increase critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Teachers found the open spaces to be a challenging environment for teaching and learning, particularly in regard to the noise level.

Now those open concept schools use temporary partitions until permanent walls replace them. In my opinion, the design failed because teachers were not trained on how to use the space effectively. The current trend within classrooms, we see flexible seating plans - similar to the business model of open office space.

It doesn't matter the venue or the age, the research shows that distractions in open spaces negatively impact productivity. In fact, the most disruptive issue is other people's conversations. Our brains are wired to process 1.6 conversations at one time. That's the conversation you are having and part of one other conversation you are overhearing.

So here's the thing, if you have to leave your work to be productive, there's a problem. And being labeled anti-social is not suitable for collaboration. Yet businesses need both collaboration and productivity, an environment that allows different places for different types of work. Chances are you are not the only one frustrated with unwanted distractions. There is a delicate balance to setting boundaries and remaining in the community with colleagues.

Exercise:

• Develop ground rules with the entire office.
• When the workplace is at the peak of distractions, take a break and go for a walk. 
• Use noise-canceling headphones and listen to instrumental music, binaural beats, or minimal lyrics. 
• Use a busy signal at your workstation.  
• Don't look up when focusing on a task.
• Turn notifications off. 
• Check your email only at scheduled times of the day.
• Use batch email to inform everyone and remain transparent.
• Hang canvas art and station plants around the office.
• Keep the office space clear of clutter.
• Set up a quiet office library space for office staff.
• Work remotely on tasks requiring uninterrupted quiet for laser-focus.
• Practice tolerance.

Journal:
List all the positive aspects of your work environment.
How can I minimize my impact on distractions in the workplace?
How tolerant am I of others?
Is that tolerance reciprocated?

My Life's Lesson: Manage my attention, not my time.

From the sweetest spot in my heart to yours, have a productive week!
Audrey xo