dealing with distractions

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Welcome to chapter four „dealing with distractions at

your work place“

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

How do I deal with

disturbances at my

work place?

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

In this chapter we will talk about ways on how to be aware of

possible distractions at your work place and

how to overcome and eliminate them!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Let us have a look at the learning

objectives!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Yes, sure!!

Learning Objective

Being aware of possible distractions

Being aware of „internal“ and „external“ distractions

Knowing how to deal with possible distractions at work

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

How many times to you have to discontinue your work because your co-

workers or your manager need something from you,

the phone rings all the time, or the radio in the

room next to you bothers you?

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

How many times to you have to discontinue your work because your co-

workers or your manager need something from you,

the phone rings all the time, or the radio in the

room next to you bothers you?

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Once in a while I need to

discontinue my work because of distraction

s

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

That is common! I

am going to show you

opportunities when

dealing with distractions

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

That sounds good!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Sources of Distraction:

Ringing phonesCo-workers or managers approaching you External noises (construction, other phones, radio)Messy desk

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

A lot of time and energy is wasted due to distractions and discontinuation from work

Distractions are, in many cases, easy to ignore

We are often times not aware of who and what is bothering us

Effective elimination of distractions is a core discipline in terms of work ethic

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Please think about some things that

distract you from work! Please take about 5 minutes and

write down your sources of

distraction on your work sheet

4.!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

I am going to explain you

the difference between

internal and external

distractions

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Oh, I am curious

about it!!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Distraction can be differentiated in:

Internal Distractions (concern the person itself)

External Distractions (concerned with external stimulus)

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Distractions

Internal Distractions External Distractions

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Distractions

Internal Distractions External Distractions

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needsHunger & Thirst

Pay attention to eating and hydration!

Small meals/snacks keep you in good

shape.

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needsHunger & Thirst

If you stay hydrated you are more likely to stay focused and

you are more inclined to perform at a higher level!

Innere Störungen

Pay attention to personal needs Hunger & Thirst

Tiredness

If you are tired you have a harder time focusing, you will work slower and

make more mistakes

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needs Hunger & Thirst

Tiredness

Regular Breaks!

During breaks you should give body and

mind a variety to work: for example, physical

activity outside

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needs Hunger & Thirst Tiredness

Activity

Employees spend about 85% of their working

time sitting on their desk

=> Lack of Exercise

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needs Hunger & Thirst Tiredness

Activity

Go and move a little bit outside during your breaks. Get some fresh air!

Internal Distractions

Pay attention to personal needs Hunger & Thirst Tiredness Activity

Oxygen

Our brain needs plenty of oxygen, therefore, we have to make sure fresh

air and temperatures around 20° to 21°C are guaranteed at all times.

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Distractions

Internal Distractions External Distractions

External Distractions

The phone rings – unfortunately you cannot

find it on your messy desk. Your boss knocks on your door: he needs the hardcopy version of the presentation. In which

paper stack is the presentation hiding...?

External Distractions

Organization of your Desk

How is YOUR desk organized?

Do you find yourself looking for important

documents all the time?

External Distractions

Organization of your Desk

Only the documents that you need on a

daily basis should be on your desk.

External Distractions

Organization of your DeskNoises and Visual Distractions

Can you eliminate noisy equipment and machines and visual

distractions from your office?

External Distractions

Organization of your Desk Noises and Visual

DistractionsLighting

Is the lighting comfortable for your eyes?

External Distractions

Organization of your Desk Noises and Visual

Distractions LightingMeetings and Calls

It is not rude or impolite to tell a visitor or caller that you are focused on a different task and that you will return the call

afterwards.

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Please think about which „internal“ and „external“ distractions you

face during work. Please write down two „internal“ and

two „external“ distractions on the

work sheet 4.1!

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Distractions always mean that your productivity and performance is decreasing. It

means that you are focused on a different task in the meantime

Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place

Please think about how you

can reduce distractions at

your work place and write it on the work sheet

4.2!

Bottom Line

A lot of time and energy is wasted due to continuous distractions

In many cases distractions are fairly easy to eliminate

Ask yourself more often…

Is my desk perfectly organized? Should I discontinue the call or return the call at a later point in

time and get back to my main task and focus? Can I eliminate disturbing noises from the office? Is is possible to arrange a spare time in which you can only

focus on YOUR tasks and challenges?