{"id":45220,"date":"2021-08-15T06:22:46","date_gmt":"2021-08-15T10:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=45220"},"modified":"2021-08-16T08:10:26","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T12:10:26","slug":"distractions-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/distractions-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoid Distractions at Work: Make a Deep Work Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you easily distracted at work<\/a>? What steps can you take to reduce your distractions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his book Deep Work, <\/em>Cal Newport provides steps on how to create a deep work environment. The steps include creating a designated workspace, getting rid of distractions such as social media, training your focus<\/a>, and making the most of your focused time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how to curb your distractions at work<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Build Your Deep Work Space<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to scheduling time for deep work, Newport encourages you to build an environment that supports deep work by reducing distraction triggers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Create a Deep-Work-Only Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to decrease distractions at work, Newport suggests designating a deep work space, where you go only<\/em> to do deep work<\/strong> (like a conference room, the library, or an office in your home). Compartmentalizing your location this way will cement the habit of deep work more strongly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In Atomic Habits<\/em><\/a>, James Clear discusses the power of using environmental cues to trigger desirable behaviors. Try adding environmental cues to your space\u2014for example, lighting a specific candle each time you start working. Over time, your brain will associate these cues with deep work, and you\u2019ll more easily enter a focused state of mind.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Get Rid of Distractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Newport points out that a key to spending more time in deep work is to avoid distractions that take you out of deep work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: You may think that it\u2019s not necessary to cut out<\/em> potential distractions, instead opting for simple management techniques<\/a> like placing your phone face down to avoid looking at notifications. However, studies show that when working on the computer, people become distracted, on average, every 40 seconds<\/em><\/a>. Even if your phone is face down on your desk, it\u2019s still an available distraction to reach for.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Floorplans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Newport argues that the ideal office floor plan is the \u201chub and spoke\u201d model, in which central hubs\u2014such as meeting rooms, break areas, and cafeterias\u2014allow for communal work and serendipitous meetings and branch off into spokes that lead to quiet, private places for people to do deep work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While Newport suggests this model as a solution to the trend of open floor plans, he doesn\u2019t give any type of workaround for those who have no control over the layout of their workspace. In Indistractable<\/em><\/a>, Nir Eyal suggests that workers who may find themselves in a distracting workspace can try creating visual cues to show others that they need to be left alone. This may look like a certain hat you wear when you\u2019re in deep work mode or a small \u201cDo not interrupt\u201d sign on top of your monitor.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Newport says that social media is insidious in that it seems like you\u2019re doing productive things when really the gains are minor. <\/strong>To begin managing the way you use tech, Newport suggests taking the following steps to examine each of your tech tools in regard to their benefits and cost. <\/strong>This will help you see which tools are worth your time and which aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. List your goals.<\/strong> Make a list of your most important goals\u2014professional and personal\u2014and then list the two or three activities that help you progress most toward these goals. Newport notes that these activities should be specific enough to give you direction, but general enough to be repeatable. (Shortform note: Your goal-supporting activities can<\/em> include social media. For example, Newport may claim that journalists and authors on social media are wasting their time, but these days, establishing a presence on social media is an essential part of marketing<\/a> for authors trying to break into the industry.)<\/li>
  2. Examine your tech tools: <\/strong>For each of your major tools\u2014for example, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit\u2014describe how they contribute (or don\u2019t contribute) meaningfully to your important goals. (Shortform note: To fully understand a tech tool\u2019s effect on you and your goals, you must be honest with yourself about why<\/em> you\u2019re using the tool. Research shows that your intent<\/em> in using social media determines how negatively or positively it will affect your well-being<\/a>\u2014those who use social media to check out what others are up to develop negative well-being due to constant comparison, while those who use social media to chat with their friends develop positive well-being due to strengthened social bonds.) <\/li>
  3. Try quitting: <\/strong>If you\u2019re on the fence about how much you need a tool, do an experiment: Quit for 30 days and see what happens. Afterward, consider whether your life would have been notably better if you had been able to use that tool. (Shortform note: Breaking out of the dopamine cycle of social media is easier said than done. There will be an adjustment period: Research shows that it takes about eight days for your brain to calm down and become accustomed to a lower level of stimulation<\/a>.) <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Emails<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Newport contends that emails are an insidious time suck, both for senders and recipients. He says many people use emails unthinkingly or as a quick way to toss responsibilities into someone else\u2019s court. Newport suggests several ways to reduce the time you spend on the shallow work of unproductive emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1) Make sure your emails contain <\/strong>all<\/em><\/strong> essential information. <\/strong>Newport explains that when replying to an email, you should articulate: 1) the current state of things, 2) what the ultimate goal is, and 3) what the most effective next steps are. He says this prevents unproductive email volleys and closes the mental loop for you, preventing mental residue from accumulating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n