As most professionals have now returned to the office, adjusting to the workplace has proven to be difficult in more ways than one. Aside from commuting, putting on real pants, and remembering to pack a lunch, adjusting to distractions and interruptions in the workplace has been its own beast. At home, it was easier to create a carefully crafted work environment that was conducive for each individual’s unique style of concentrating. Back in the office, it’s a different story.

Does your ability to focus now feel like it is on a merry-go-round? Where it seems like every three minutes there’s a tap on your shoulder or a ‘ping’ from your device? Wait, hold on. I have a Slack notification. 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  Studies show that workers are interrupted between four to twelve times an hour. And it really is just as disruptive as it feels. The impact of interruptions totally kills your momentum. 

I’m here to help us both defeat the ultimate office gremlin: interruptions.

Problem #1:

Open Office: The Ultimate Oxymoron

Remember walls and doors? Those weren’t so bad. But now, gone are the days of walls and defined personal space. We’re now in the era of the open office. In theory, open offices should feel inclusive and collaborative. Yet, one mighty “con” outweighs so much of the good intended with the open working environment; the lack of physical boundaries.

Solution, Anyone?

All hope is not lost! If you don’t have a door to shut out the world, how about headphones as your “Do Not Disturb” sign? Leadership, listen up: think about offering flex workspaces. Let your team choose a quiet corner or even a cozy coffee shop when they need to hunker down. And for those chatty afternoons? Designate communal zones where collaboration is king and noise is welcomed.

Problem #2:

Tech Overload: More Pings Than a Submarine Sonar

Slack, Teams, Zoom, Gmail, Texts, Notifications, they never end! They’re like those pesky mosquitos on a summer night. They buzz, distract, and always, ALWAYS demand immediate attention. 

Ready for a Tech Timeout?

Let’s build a new habit and eliminate the reflex to instantly reply. That email can wait. Your team on Slack just may figure it out on their own, if you wait 30 minutes before responding.  Please, mute those pesky notifications! Then delete some apps off your phone [I’m looking at you, Facebook and Instagram] because many of you know aimless scrolling can be irresistible, albeit illogical. 

Pro tip: carve out dedicated chunks of time throughout the day to PROCESS your digital world, not just skim the surface and constantly “CHECK” for new information. Ready for a timeout?

Problem #3:

Team Talk: The Overwhelm of Over-Communication

Ever feel you’re drowning in a digital ocean of Slack messages, emails, and endless meeting invites? We all crave clear channels of communication, but sometimes too much communication feels like you’re drowning in communication.

Clear the Communication Clutter

Here is a novel idea: set expectations. Is every message an emergency? Likely not. Establish some response-time ground rules amongst the internal  team. Proactively discuss with clients and/or vendors when they can reasonably expect to hear back from you when communicating via email. As for meetings? Let’s make them count. No more meetings about meetings, please. If possible, consider implementing this meeting best practice: No Agenda, No Attenda!   

Problem #4:

Distractions vs Interruptions: The Inner and Outer Demons

Doom scrolling, we’ve all done it. Usually before bed, at meals, in between emails or meetings. It’s addictive and distracting. We often doom scroll or chase rabbit holes when we should be doing other things like errands, projects, or updating that spreadsheet. That’s your inner distraction gremlin taking over your executive functions. And when we have the internal distractions under control, the external interruptions pounce from every direction, pulling your  attention away from the task at hand. 

Here’s Your Game Plan

Tailor your workspace. Close those extra tabs, set your phone on ‘snooze’, and maybe even craft a cute little sign for your desk that politely asks for focus time. Know when you’re most vulnerable to distractions and plan accordingly. Also, give yourself the gift of working offline from  time to time, especially when deep concentration and flow is needed.

Unlock Uninterrupted Excellence in the Workplace

Stepping into the office shouldn’t feel like navigating a storm of ceaseless distractions. Envision it as charting a course through calm waters, every movement intentional and synchronized. With a sprinkle of innovation, heart-to-heart conversations with coworkers and clients, and a dash of introspection, we can sail smoothly, avoiding the choppy waves of interruptions. Ready to share your navigational secrets? I’m on deck and listening. Together, let’s master the art of undisturbed productivity!