Overlooked Distractions in the Office
What are some common distractions at work, and how do you overcome them? We all know about using the computer too much at work, but are there any other distractions that we might not consider when trying to get our work done? There are certainly some not as thought of distractions at work that might actually be robbing us of time that we could be spending working.The first distraction that we might not think of is room temperature. While we know we don’t work as hard when it is cold, what consideration is made about the temperature in the room? Have you ever walked into the office when it is cold out, and the temperature is still about 66 degrees inside? The boss might know it is cold, but how much luck do you usually have increasing that temperature?Do you have appliances that hum a lot? A fan that makes a lot of noise can be a distraction, but one that has to be there in case of a hot day. A pipe that carries air across the office, or water can make a lot of noise as well and cause a distraction during the workday. This could rob you of your attention and make it a little harder to work.People can make noise in unexpected ways as well. Some people demand that they tap a pencil while they are working, or hum really loudly. Some people talk to loud, or listen to music that you might be able hear through headphones. Others might not realize this is annoying, but it can be a distraction for you.What other distractions are there that can cause you from doing your work in a timely fashion? The way that the building is shaped can be a distraction or a time waster. If you have to walk across the building to find your boss, or you have to go to a meeting in one building and then have to walk back to your office to get ready for another meeting, and then walk across the office to get a copy or talk to your co-worker.There are many distractions that you might not be thinking about when you are at work. It can be something that you don’t think about, but these could be the very things that are robbing you of the time and attention you need to do your job.
