Managing our time can be tricky, no matter how organized we are.  We can be thrown off track by an unexpected phone call, someone who needs our help, or a barrage of texts.

We can also be thrown off track by noise pollution like construction, traffic, sirens, people talking around us, or the negative self-talk in our heads.

We need to be clear about what constitutes a real emergency and what does not.  We need to know when not to respond and how to do it, and when someone else’s problem is not our own.

Today, let’s consider some tips on how to stop people from distracting us when we need to focus on a task, and no one else’s problem requires our immediate time and attention.

Wear Noise Cancelling Headphones.

Wearing noise-canceling headphones tells the people around us that we’re focused, working and not to be disturbed.  Headphones give us a sense of privacy from the people around us.

Shut Our Door

If we have our own office, close the door, and tell our team or the people working with or around us that we need a block of time to concentrate.  It can be as simple as sending out a group email or text that is kind, clear, and direct.

Listen to Music or Other Sounds

For ones who prefer background noise while working, instrumental songs, white noise, ambient music, or nature sounds are great alternatives.  Here’s an interesting website with some music/sound alternatives: https://moleerelaxmusic.com/ultimate-work-music-playlist-for-productivity/

Use Alternative Spaces

If it’s a viable option, work from home or use a conference room to avoid interruptions.

Remove Chairs, Stand, or Speak Up

When we work in an open-plan office, we can remove extra chairs around or in front of our desk or stand when a colleague arrives.  If someone in our space frequently interrupts us, we can talk to them; they may not even realize that they are distracting us and that we need uninterrupted blocks of time to get our work done.

Final Reflections

​Distractions are time-consuming, costly, and add to our stress.  A conversation with a co-worker can make us late for a meeting with our team.  Checking our emails, reading customers’ X (Twitter) comments, or surfing the internet for cheap vacation flights can take more time than anticipated for us to fully regain our focus on the task at hand. 

Many things can distract us. Focusing on all the things that can distract us in one blog article can be overwhelming and can cause us to distract ourselves because it’s too much to digest and put into practice in one sitting.

Find what works for you and your team members to get more done. We are all works in progress. The only thing certain is that everything changes. Regularly review what’s helping to lower stress and increase not only productivity but also feelings of confidence and the satisfaction of a job well done.