This is how you stay in control of all those incentives
Because of corona you have been working from home for a long time, but now the time has come: you are going back to the office. Back to the colleagues you’ve only seen through a screen for a long time. But also: back to the noise of the open-plan office. How do you arm yourself against all those stimuli? Seven tips that will certainly succeed.
Talking and laughing colleagues, ringing telephones and clattering keyboards. In an open-plan office, peace and quiet is usually hard to find. And when you’re finally concentrated at work, your manager appears at your desk with a question. Or that colleague, who is eager to tell his holiday stories. Because of the lockdown you are no longer used to all those incentives. No wonder they come in extra hard and you come home exhausted at night.
Colleagues on the phone
Your colleagues on the phone cause you the most trouble. That’s because you only hear one side of their conversation. Every time your colleague starts talking again after a listening silence, your brain takes that as the start of a conversation. Your brain finds new things very interesting. Therefore, it is impossible to ignore that colleague on the phone.
overstimulated
Anyone who is interrupted every once in a while can easily become overstimulated. You find it increasingly difficult to stay focused on your work. Sometimes you would like to shout ‘sssssst’ very loudly, but that is not very nice to your colleagues. Fortunately, there are other ways to cut yourself off from the stimuli as much as possible.
Tips for concentration in the open-plan office
1. ‘I’m busy’
Show that you are busy. Keep your eyes on your screen and ignore what is happening around you. With that body language of supreme concentration, colleagues will not easily disturb you.
2. Get to the point
There is a colleague at your desk after all. Don’t ask how he or she is, but ask: ‘What can I do for you?’ That way you are friendly and helpful, but you leave little room for small talk. That chatter will come later.
3. Introduce concentration hours
Agree ‘concentration hours’ with your colleagues at fixed times. For example: every working day between 9 am and 11 am and between 2 pm and 4 pm. In principle, during those hours you will not disturb each other and everyone can continue to work.
4. Use Headphones
With headphones or earphones you shut off the sounds of your colleagues. Extra advantage: if they see that you are trying to work focused, they are less likely to disturb you. Choose the right music to listen to. Singing is just as distracting during thinking as the talk of your colleagues. Instrumental tracks, such as electronic music, work best. from research shows that baroque music in particular increases your productivity. Preferably listen to music you already know. Unfamiliar tunes tend to listen more attentively.
5. Introduce ‘headphone etiquette’
Of course, you and your colleagues are not supposed to work with headphones on all day. Social contact and opportunities for consultation remain important. Therefore, set up a ‘headphone etiquette’. Here you make a number of agreements. For example: only use the headphones when you really need to concentrate. Make sure others don’t hear the music. Is anyone wearing headphones? Then only contact us if it is absolutely necessary.
6. Watch your energy
If you are fit and rested, you can handle the stimuli in the office better. It also makes it easier for you to concentrate. So go to bed an hour earlier than usual. And take a walk in the lunch break. It gives you the boost you need to get back into it in the afternoon.
7. Get a Happy Nut
Do you still have to admonish your colleagues every now and then because they are too loud? Do it kindly and with humor. That way you keep the atmosphere good.
