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Blog: Can We Have Some Order Here?
 Cutting Down On Distractions In The Workplace
Are you having difficulties staying focused on your work? Your distractions may be coming from the outside world (phone calls, drop-in visitors) or from inside your own head. Whatever the frustration, here are a few quick suggestions for staying focused on the task at hand.
How You Use Your Day
If you find it hard to get your work done because of drop-in visitors, don't be shy about shutting your door to discourage interruptions. Put a note on your door explaining that you're finishing up a project, indicate the time you'll be done, and ask folks not to interrupt you during that period unless it's a real emergency. If the office gossip is offended by this, too bad -- you're there to do a job, not listen to rumors about what the receptionist and janitor are doing after hours.  Of course, you don't want to lock people out all day long, but this is a particularly useful technique when you really need to concentrate for just an hour or two. In return, you might want to have an "open door" period after you've finished your work, so folks can pop in to ask questions. And if you find that you still can't get them to leave you alone long enough to write that report or tally those figures, consider taking your work to an unused conference room for a little private quiet time.
Now, here's another question -- do you find your entire day eaten up by phone calls and emails? You may think that you're being efficient by responding the second a new communication comes in -- but many times, the reverse is true. Send your calls to voice mail and turn off your email notification -- then check your messages once in the morning, once after lunch, and once more before you leave the office. You'll be able to respond to important issues as they come up, and still have time to get some actual work done!
Some people have a hard time staying focused because the piles and stacks distract them from the task at hand. Clear the clutter off of your desk and other visible surfaces, then only have out what you are currently working on. That way, your eye (and your attention) won't be drawn away as easily. And if your mind can't seem to settle down, thinking of the million OTHER things that you have to do, keep a pad of paper on your desk and write down each of these to-do's as they occur to you. Emptying them out of your head will allow you to stay focused on the task at hand, without fear of forgetting something important.
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posted on: 3/1/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel
category: General Organizing Tips
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Can We Have Some Order Here?
by Ramona Creel
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About Ramona:
I have been a Professional Organizer for more than 10 years, I am a NAPO Golden Circle member, and I was the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. I have worked one-on-one with scores of clients and have trained dozens of newbie organizers as they got started in the industry. I provide both hands-on and virtual coaching to help clients improve their organizing skills and simplify their lives. I invite you to visit my website at http://www.RamonaCreel.com, and I challenge you to find one new idea that you can put into practice in your life, to help you become better organized, starting TODAY! I am passionate about coaching folks toward a more balanced, productive, and enjoyable life -- and I firmly believe that if I can do it, so can you!
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