Digital tools and open plan offices have changed our work environment dramatically. In addition to providing new channels for communications, they also easily cause interruptions and stress. Removing the most common sources of interruptions will help focus on work and studies, as well as reduce the stress level.

• While working and studying, it is useful to use silent mode in your smartphone and to hide all notifications from the apps. Few of the notifications need your real-time response.
• It is also useful to try to find a place to work where the noise made by other people does not interrupt and steal your attention. Setting common rules for interruptions with colleagues or study mates, for example when it is suitable to come to ask for help, will improve the collaboration.
• When you find yourself wandering on social media or games, consider hiding them in your working environment. If you are using a home computer for work or studies, it may be useful to create a separate user account for work and a separate for personal use.
• If it is necessary to keep an eye on emails, messaging apps or phone calls, it is useful to schedule short and regular moments for the checks instead of reacting immediately to each notification. This way you can concentrate on your work while keeping up with the message flow.

Eliminating unnecessary interruptions will help to better concentrate on your work. With small changes in the daily work environment, the long term effect can be remarkable.

What sources of interruptions you have and how could you eliminate them?

What rules your team could set to give each other more time and space to focus on work?