We’re all living in a disruption society. Hundreds if not thousands of new e-mail messages hit our inbox every day. Social media notifications pop up around the clock. With all of these daily distractions, how is a professional supposed to stay focused? And to an even greater degree, as a leader how do you help your team minimize distraction to maintain productivity and produce innovative ideas?

1. Minimize
distractions at work
AVOID ROADBLOCKS TO PRODUCTIVITY
Smartphones
Noisy cubicles, chatty coworkers,
impromptu meetings and more!
Social media
1.72 hours spent on social
platforms every day.
18 percent check Facebook®
every few hours.
Email
U.S. workers spend
3.2 hours a day checking
and responding to
work-related emails.
Amount of undistracted focus
for the average employee
= 3 minutes.
Distractions in the workplace
• Hinder efficiency, effectiveness
and performance
• Impede creativity
• Reduce job satisfaction
• Increase stress
• Lower intelligence
Reduce workplace interruptions
A roadmap to success
2
3
Sources:
1. 2013 U.S. Workplace Survey. Rep. Gensler, 07 July 2013. Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.gensler.com/uploads/documents/2013_US_Workplace_Survey_07_15_2013.pdf>.
2. Barker, Eric. “How To Be Efficient: Dan Ariely's 6 New Secrets to Managing Your Time.” Web log post. Barking Up the Wrong Tree. N.p., 12 Oct. 2014. Web. 1 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/10/how-to-be-efficient/>.
3. Bennett, Shea. “Social Media Addiction: Statistics & Trends [INFOGRAPHIC].” SocialTimes. N.p., 30 Dec. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-media-addiction-stats/504131>.
4. “How to Implement Do Not Disturb Time.” Benchmark Business Group. N.p., 13 May 2013. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. <http://www.benchmarkbusinessgroup.com/business-coaching-
and-consulting/business-owner-newsletter/how-to-implement-do-not-disturb-time/>.
5. Mark, Gloria, Shamsi Iqbal, Mary Czerwinski, and Paul Johns. “Capturing the Mood: Facebook and Face-to-Face Encounters in the Workplace.” (2014): n. pag. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.ics.uci.edu/~gmark/Home_page/Research_files/WorkSense%20final%20camera-ready.pdf>.
6. Mrosko, Terri. “Minimizing Digital Distractions in the Workplace.” Cleveland.com. Plain Dealer Publishing Co., 20 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.cleveland.com/employment/plaindealer/index.ssf/2013/11/minimizing_digital_distractions_in_the_workplace
7. Reaney, Patricia. “U.S. Workers Spend 6.3 Hours A Day Checking Email: Survey.” Huffington Post. N.p., 26 Aug. 2015. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/check-work-email-hours-survey_55ddd168e4b0a40aa3ace672>.
8. Saunders, Elizabeth Grace. “Cancelling One-on-One Meetings Destroys Your Productivity.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., 9 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.
<https://hbr.org/2015/03/cancelling-one-on-one-meetings-destroys-your-productivity>.
9. Smith, Aaron. U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015. Rep. Pew Research Center, 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. <http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2015/03/PI_Smartphones_0401151.pdf>.
10.Tracy, Brian. Time Management. New York: American Management Association, 2013. Print.
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Infographic created by www.4imprint.com, based on the
Workplace Interruptions Blue Paper. Download Blue Paper at:
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Too many interruptions can lead to a dead end.
Increase productivity and innovation by
minimizing workplace distractions.
Sign, sign …
Everywhere a sign!
Distractions
ahead in every
direction.
Detour
The cost of
workplace distractions
Restore attention with
planned breaks and time away.
Take 5- to 10-minute active breaks.
• Stretch
• Take a walk
• Meditate
Take vacation!
Control technology …
so it doesn’t control you.
Turn off notifications and alerts
on your phone, email and social
media accounts.
Conduct an audit of your:
• Inbox
• Social media platforms
• Apps
• Unsubscribe, unlike and
uninstall what’s not needed
Choose an agreed upon
communication medium for:
• Messages
• Urgent matters
• Deadlines
Annual cost of lost productivity
and innovation due to distraction
= $
650 billion.
24/7
24/7 access to
phone, text,
instant message
(IM), social
networking and
Internet.
2 in 3 Americans
own a smartphone.
1 Better manage time and space.
Schedule time in your calendar.
• Complete tasks
• Respond to emails
• Return phone calls
Scheduling tasks can reduce completion
time by 80%.
Limit accessibility.
• Close your door
• Block work time in your calendar
• Hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign
Set up production meetings.
• Reduce drop-ins
• Align priorities
• Make time for the little things