“Can you review this document?” “What do you think about this word choice?” “Let’s brainstorm on this project for a minute!” These phrases probably sound familiar. In a collaborative work environment, one that many businesses aspire to create, interruptions can be the norm. While there can be merits to interruptions – a needed mental break, connecting with colleagues – there can also be downsides.
You might consider setting aside certain hours for closing your door, popping in your headphones or hiding in an office and getting work done. But in the post, “Does Helping Others Hurt Your Creativity? The Cost of Interruption,” the author highlighted a report published in “Applied Psychology,” in which “…researchers in Germany and Switzerland report that periods of quiet time actually harmed the performance of help-seekers and help-givers.”
Of course, each environment is different and thus, certain methods for dealing with interruptions would be more effective than others.
Here are some tips that I picked up along the way:
What methods have you found to be effective when you’re trying to focus? Do you find certain methods more effective based on your environment and customize them appropriately?
Tags: brainstorm, collaborative, environment, follow up, Productivity Filed under: Strategy