“Can you review this document?” “What do you think about this word choice?” “Let’s brainstorm on this project for a minute!” These phrases probably sound familiar. In a collaborative work environment, one that many businesses aspire to create, interruptions can be the norm. While there can be merits to interruptions – a needed mental break, connecting with colleagues – there can also be downsides.
You might consider setting aside certain hours for closing your door, popping in your headphones or hiding in an office and getting work done. But in the post, “Does Helping Others Hurt Your Creativity? The Cost of Interruption,” the author highlighted a report published in “Applied Psychology,” in which “…researchers in Germany and Switzerland report that periods of quiet time actually harmed the performance of help-seekers and help-givers.”
Of course, each environment is different and thus, certain methods for dealing with interruptions would be more effective than others.
Here are some tips that I picked up along the way:
- Headphones: Wearing headphones can block out unwanted sound and indicate to others that you’re focused and don’t want to be bothered. Being interrupted also requires the other person to forcefully interrupt you if you can’t hear them speaking to you and then wait for you to pause music and take the headphones out. It can be a deterrent for others wanting to bother you because they know it will take effort on their part. Additionally, if you’re actually blasting music, this might get around the quiet time being harmful. I find music to inspire, give me energy and increase my focus and creativity.
- Awareness: Telling your coworkers you need to go “heads down” for a few hours can go a long way in helping you avoid interruptions. If you have an IM program you use to communicate with coworkers, putting up a status message letting people know you are busy and don’t want to be disturbed can help as well.
- Promising to follow up: If you do get interrupted, it’s okay to let the other person know you are working against a deadline and will follow up with them once you’re free or at a certain time. Acknowledge the importance of the conversation and remain positive, but note your competing priority.
- Working from home: I find that I get more accomplished when I work from home because it’s an extended period of quiet time and there are fewer interruptions throughout the day. If you are able to spend a half or full day at home to focus, you should take advantage and see whether it’s effective for you.
- Block time on your calendar: What if you’re the person getting distracted and interrupting others? Scheduling time on your calendar to complete tasks can allow you to plan out your day and increase efficiency. Knowing what you should be doing during a certain time could help you remain focused.
What methods have you found to be effective when you’re trying to focus? Do you find certain methods more effective based on your environment and customize them appropriately?