Mastering concentration: How to stay focused in an office environment
Given that a huge percentage of jobs in today’s world are office-based, it doesn’t seem right that so many people find office environments difficult. But with colleagues jumping on work calls for the whole office to hear, phones pinging and catchups in the kitchen, the modern office isn’t exactly designed to facilitate long periods of concentration.
Luckily, there are ways for individuals to increase their concentration. Whilst modern technology is awash with solutions that not only help office workers minimise distractions, but also hype up productivity, there are also everyday things you can do to make sure you do a good day’s work.
Create a dedicated workspace
If you’re lucky enough to have your own office, you’re unlikely to be easily distracted by other co-workers. If, however, you work in a communal space, you can keep distractions at bay by creating your own workspace.
Depending on how you like to work, be it at a rigid desk setup or something more laidback like a sofa or armchair, fashion yourself a personal corner of the office where all your belongings are. This way, you won’t have to leave your desk so often and minimise the amount of contact time with your colleagues during working hours.
Minimise distractions
An office environment isn’t something you can often control; if someone needs to make a lengthy call, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. There are, however, ways in which you can keep it from distracting you. First, let’s start with noise, which is where Bluetooth earphones designed to cancel out surrounding noise come in. These are perfect for creating your small concentration bubble and keeping you focussed on the task at hand.
You can also fashion your working space to minimise distractions, choosing a desk that faces the opposite direction of the socialising areas and particular colleagues you know will distract you. Investing in double screens also blocks out a lot of the comings and goings in the office.
Manage your time efficiently
For many office-based workers, much of the time spent at the office isn’t used for work. The internet, with all its funny videos and addictive social media sites, makes for a welcome distraction when work gets boring. By working efficiently, you could reduce your office hours and enjoy more of the day for yourself.
Do this by setting a limit on social media sites or blocking them off entirely. You can also utilise work management tools to keep you on track and give you the satisfaction of ticking off tasks one at a time. This will motivate you to get through your workload efficiently.
