This document discusses how to deal with distractions at the workplace. It identifies common sources of distraction like phones, coworkers, noise and a messy desk. It recommends eliminating noisy equipment, visual distractions, and limiting meetings and calls when trying to focus. The key messages are that distractions waste a lot of time and energy, are often easy to ignore, and effective elimination of distractions allows workers to get more work done.

1. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work
Place
Welcome to the
section „Dealing with
Distractions at Your
Work Place “.
Did you already print
out the corresponding
worksheet? Let´s then
get started!

2. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work
Place
In this section you
are going to learn
how to deal with
possible
distractions at
work place

3. 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

4. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work
Place
 A lot of time and energy is wasted due to distractions and
interruption of work
 Distractions are, in many cases, easy to ignore
 We are often unaware of who and what is bothering us
 Effective elimination of distractions is helps us get more of
our work done!

5. Distractions
 Noises and Visual
Distracitons
Can you eliminate noisy
equipment and machines
and visual distractions
from your office?

6. Distractions
 Noises and Visual Distracters
 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 or meet
with them later.

7. 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 postpone a meeting 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 reserved time in which you can only focus on
YOUR tasks and challenges?