The document discusses dealing with distractions at the workplace. It identifies internal distractions like hunger, thirst, tiredness and lack of exercise. External distractions include an unorganized desk, noises, lighting issues, and interruptions from meetings or phone calls. The document provides tips for reducing distractions, such as keeping your desk organized, improving lighting and noise conditions, taking breaks to move around, and being able to politely pause conversations to focus. Eliminating distractions can improve productivity and performance.

1. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Welcome to chapter
four „dealing with
distractions at
your work place“

2. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
How do I deal
with
disturbances at
my work
place?

3. 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!

4. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Let us have a
look at the
learning
objectives!

5. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Yes,
sure!!

6. Learning Objective
 Being aware of possible distractions
 Being aware of „internal“ and „external“ distractions
 Knowing how to deal with possible distractions at work

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Once in a
while I need
to
discontinue
my work
because of
distractions

10. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
That is
common! I
am going to
show you
opportunities
when dealing
with
distractions

11. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
That
sounds
good!

12. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Sources of Distraction:
 Ringing phones
 Co-workers or managers approaching you
 External noises (construction, other phones, radio)
 Messy desk

13. 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

14. 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.!

15. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
I am going to
explain you
the
difference
between
internal and
external
distractions

16. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Oh, I am
curious
about it!!

17. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
 Distraction can be differentiated in:
 Internal Distractions (concern the person itself)
 External Distractions (concerned with external stimulus)

18. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

19. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

20. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
Pay attention to eating
and hydration!
Small meals/snacks keep
you in good shape.

21. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
If you stay hydrated you
are more likely to stay
focused and you are
more inclined to perform
at a higher level!

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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!

26. 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.

27. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

28. 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...?

29. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
How is YOUR desk
organized?
Do you find yourself looking
for important documents
all the time?

30. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
Only the documents that
you need on a daily basis
should be on your desk.

31. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual
Distractions
Can you eliminate noisy
equipment and machines
and visual distractions
from your office?

32. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual Distractions
 Lighting
Is the lighting
comfortable for your
eyes?

33. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual Distractions
 Lighting
 Meetings 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.

34. 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!

35. 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

36. 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!

37. 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?