There are countless opportunities for distractions in the workplace. As business owners and leaders, it’s our responsibility to mitigate these instances. Unfortunately, not all attention-stealers and productivity-killers are things we can control.
I’m here to go over the most common distractions in the office – both those within your control and beyond it. When we know how to deal with both, we’ll better equip our team to thrive and succeed. Here’s what you need to know, boss:
Mitigating 4 Workplace Distractions You CAN Control
Distraction #1 – Meetings and Interruptions
We all know what it’s like to be “in the zone,” only to get pulled into a meeting or roped into a frivolous conversation. Too many interruptions like this don’t let your team buckle down and do their creative best. Knocking things out is hard when you’re forced to switch gears so often!
Solution – Make it an email.
Let it never be said of us, “This meeting could’ve been an email.” I get it – sometimes, you must regroup and sit down with your team to hash things out. But before you plan to call everyone to the conference room, ask yourself:
How many meetings are scheduled today?
How many meetings will there be this week?
Can this be addressed in an email?
What is the best channel for communicating this information?
You can reduce office interruptions if you break out of the default decision to schedule a meeting.
Distraction #2 – An Uncomfortable Environment
If you’ve ever tried to work from an uncomfortable spot, you know how distracting it is. Between backaches, neck pain, and carpal tunnel, working in pain is no fun. Your team deserves better.
Solution – Invest in ergonomics.
Invest in ergonomic chairs, desks, and workspaces. Individuals may have preferences, so they can bring their own chairs or choose a standing workspace if they like. Put function over aesthetics!
Distraction #3 – Excessive Noise
I don’t know about you, but I know I struggle to focus when there’s a lot of noise around me. In fact, we’re now seeing data come out about how open offices are bad for productivity, especially when tasks demand concentration and memory. Noise is bad for business, whether it’s office chatter, nearby construction, or intrusive machinery.
Solution – Cultivate a sense of peace.
Silence is golden. Your team should feel empowered to talk and communicate but do your best to eliminate distractions. That might look like soundproofing or encouraging the use of earplugs (I personally like LOOP earplugs, as they don’t impact speech clarity but reduce decibel volume.)
Distraction #4 – Workplace Clutter
Clutter, whether in the office or at home, impacts the mind. I get it – the job is busy, and there’s no time to sort through that filing cabinet or tidy up the office. This isn’t about things a custodian would do – rather, it’s about the piling up of papers, office resources, and other miscellaneous non-trash items. It makes things hard to find, which wastes time.
Solution – Practice housekeeping.
Sometimes, you must designate time to “spring clean” the office. Whether you do it once a month or once a quarter, create this time to go through old documents, reorganize, and “reset” the office.
…and 4 Distractions You CAN’T Control
Distraction #1 – Familial Obligations
Between caring for children and aging parents (sometimes both simultaneously), your team members may have family troubles at the forefront. Illness, school closures, doctor’s appointments…it can all feel like too much.
Solution – Flexibility.
As a boss and leader, learn to be flexible. Don’t be the reason someone worries about whether or not they can take care of their family. I get it – things need to get done. However, allowing people to prioritize family is good for business in the long run.
Distraction #2 – Financial Worry
Between inflation and high housing costs, it’s unsurprising that many people are concerned about money. Many people in what would be considered “good jobs” still live paycheck to paycheck. That stress is a big distraction, especially if people worry about paying bills and putting food on the table.
Solution – Fair Compensation.
As the boss, do your absolute best to provide fair compensation for work. That can be in wages or benefits. But it starts with you. Consider yearly inflation (and how to raise wages to compensate for it over time) on top of deserved raises.
Distraction #3 – Existential Stress
Sometimes, simply existing is stressful and distracting. There’s not much we can do about that. Life is just like that sometimes. Existential stress/anxiety deals with the limitations of our existence, purpose in life, and other big, heavy questions. Wrestling with these can sink motivation and muddy purpose.
Solution – Open Dialogue.
Encourage your team to talk. Consider their dreams and desires, even if they don’t involve your business. Offer room to advance in their careers. If you can provide meaningful work and compassion, it makes all the difference.
Distraction #4 – The Miscellaneous Mental Load
The miscellaneous mental load is our “to-do” grab bag: make dentist appointments, get an oil change, research vacation spots, figure out what to have for dinner, sign those school forms, and clean the gutters. The mental checklist can be overwhelming – and distracting.
Solution – Clarify and Streamline.
Don’t add to the load. As a business leader, do your best to clearly communicate goals and expectations. Outline the pathway to success. As much as you can, streamline processes and provide clarity. It will keep work from adding to the mental load.
What helps you manage workplace distractions? Share your thoughts in the comments.