What kind of distractions surround you? 
I have been working at a client’s office now for several weeks. They put me in the front with the receptionist. Everyone that walked through the door stops to talk. If she’s on the phone, I picked up the 2nd line ringing. Other employees in the building stop by. Frankly, it was a bit of a madhouse.
I would get started on my project and get distracted with all the traffic. It would take me several minutes to get back into my project only to get distracted again.
I have moved to a back office and only listen to my Pandora online radio featuring artists like Tony Bennett. It’s amazing the amount of work I’m completing.
I often work from home. I’ve taken a cue from this experience at my client’s office. I don’t turn on the television – I put on XM Radio to the Zen channel. The only distraction then becomes my cat, and that’s a welcome distraction.
What can you do to create a more effective working environment?
I know how much “extra” noise I can tolerate. Working from home, it all has to happen from my head……..not always easy. When I worked outside the home- the crazy telephone can be more annoying than anything. Again, when we take charge of ourselves and know we have to make it happen~we find a way. Sounds like you found the perfect mix now!
Sara –
It’s interesting how we can tune out things, isn’t it? Still I’m reveling in the quiet right now. Thanks for stopping by!
@debworks
I put on my headphones and a good cd or my mp3. I love Modern Christian music and it lifts my spirit and I work faster. Drowns out the noise at work.
I like the late night hours the best for good concentration and productivity. But that is not always an option. With many distractions in a day, I find I need to shift gears as fast as possible to dive right back into a project. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Denise –
great you’ve found music that moves you. Judy – I hear you, sometimes we don’t have the option to ‘check out’ do we?
@debworks