We are often overstimulated in the age of technology. Many of us go about our day following a pattern of checking our devices to keep up with social media and email.
We have become acclimatised to noise and feel the need to surround ourselves with people, attend meetings and be answerable to our computers 24/7.
But with so much noise around, our productivity could also be hindered.
Below are three ways to encourage less noise and promote silence to achieve more every day:
Implement a daily ‘Silent Session’. Dedicate the first few hours of your day to working in as much silence as possible. From 8 to 11am endeavour to block out all noise; switch your phone to voicemail, put an auto response on your email and close your office door to work alone and uninterrupted. If you pause all of the incoming noise (which includes colleagues popping around for their morning gossip catch-up) you’ll discover how these unnecessary interruptions add up over your week and stop you from getting your work done. There is rarely a need to work until midnight everyday if you’re using your mandatory eight hours effectively.
Promote privacy. The open plan office trend can hamper one’s ability to work autonomously. If you find an environment such as this distracting, express your concerns to your manager who may be able to place you in a quieter space, even if it’s at the corner of a shared table. Putting on headphones with some classical music does wonders to focus the mind, and placing a Do Not Disturb card on your desk is a clear way to get the message across. If there’s a certain person or process that is hindering your productivity, tell your manager and they can implement new ways to help you get the most out of your work day. If you have the luxury of an office, close your door (and let others know you’re off limits in the morning explaining that you’re not being rude, it’s simply how you get things done).
Be savvy with your time. Take a typical work day and write down everything that happens from meetings to the ten minute chats you have in the tearoom. Now assign the value of ‘noise’ or ‘silence’ against every activity – ‘noise’ being something that adds no value to your work and ‘silence’ being the time you spend in ‘The Zone’. You’ll be surprised. Armed with this knowledge, organise your week with productivity as your main objective. For example, do you really have to attend that meeting in person? Can that discussion be had over an email? Are you wasting time over lunch? Could you save an extra half an hour by having it earlier and in silence? Remember that time waits for no one.