Even with our best intentions and efforts, staying focused in any environment is more complex than we hope for it to be. Distractions in all their forms and shapes can get in the way of your productivity and achieving your goals—and that’s something you’ll want to avoid to make the best out of your plug-and-play office.
Designed to optimise productivity, this alternative to traditional office spaces offers startups, freelancers, and larger organisations a private office that can help support the overall business and team through added flexibility and benefits that can help both grow and thrive.
So whether you’re just settling into your new plug-and-play office, or a seasoned worker looking for ways to improve your efficiency working from one, we’ve compiled some of our best tips to stay focused and improve your concentration in your workspace.
#1: Minimise or remove distractions
Starting with the most obvious, yet perhaps often overlooked tip—keep the distractions around you to a minimum. Start with your desk, for instance. A simple cleanup can often work wonders to help remove any extra clutter that encourages the mind to wander. Always ensure you start the day with a clean and empty desk and remove distractions such as your phone and bulkier stationery supplies when no longer needed.
#2: Book a conference room
Whether you’re joining an important meeting online or looking for a space where you can keep distractions (and interruptions) to a minimum, booking a conference room for yourself is the solution you’re looking for. Moving away from your desk to a more private space can often work wonders for your concentration and productivity—as can giving yourself a set start and end time for that task. At Avenue 77, you can book conference rooms directly via our app, making this a more accessible and viable option for all our tenants.
#3: Workaround distractions
Sometimes there’s little you can do to control the distractions around you. Whether that’s because someone’s having a meeting, call, or just a chat with a co-worker next to you—you’ll often find yourself in a position where you need to mitigate distractions rather than simply walking away from them. One very effective way of doing this is by investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones will help you minimise outside noise, especially if you play music that allows focusing, such as classical music, lofi, or ambient music. These genres and other instrumental tunes can help diminish distractions without diverting your attention.
#4: Use focus techniques
Lack of concentration is an issue as old as time itself—despite it becoming increasingly pertinent in today’s fast-moving society. This, however, means that through the years, people have strived to develop techniques to help them focus, some of which have been shared publicly. One of the most famous ones is the Pomodoro technique, which breaks your workday into 25-minute segments (called pomodoros), followed by 5-minute breaks. After four pomodoros, you usually take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes. Others include the 1-3-5 Rule, the Eat the Frog technique, or simply scheduling some time in your calendar to focus on specific tasks that might require more focus than others.
#5: Take regular breaks
The secret to maximum productivity is knowing when and how to take a break. From restoring focus and attention to improving creativity, preventing decision fatigue, and improving overall well-being and health—never underestimate the power of taking regular intervals during your workday. A survey by Tork revealed that 94% of employees acknowledge they’re happier when they’re able to take a break, with a further 94% saying that taking a break allows them to take a step back and come back with a fresh perspective.
Shorter breaks can include taking a quick walk around the building or grabbing a coffee or a quick bite with your colleagues. Similarly, exercising before or after your workday can work wonders for your concentration, as can any activity that breaks your workday up into smaller segments and is bound to help to feel less drained at the end of the day.
#6: Go easy on yourself
Sometimes, regardless of how hard we try, distractions win—and that’s completely normal! Unproductive days are something everyone faces at one time or another during their professional experience, and unless they’re becoming too regular, you shouldn’t worry too much! If you feel like you or someone on your team is going through an intense period of low productivity, you might want to bring this up during your regular 1:1 check-ins.
Plus, don’t forget that socialising and so-called “good distractions” are essential to building rapport with your colleagues and a strong workplace community, so it’s vital to filter out which interruptions to ignore and which to consider during your workday.
Join the Avenue 77 Community
Avenue 77 offers a variety of office solutions in Malta, most of which can be tailored to your specific needs and those of your team and business. Equipped with the latest automation and technology, state-of-the-art design, and a warm, comfortable and functional environment, our plug-and-play solutions are ideal for organisations or freelancers looking for a modern and scalable office solution to grow their business.
Tenants can also benefit from on-site catering and retail services at Market 77, which can help offer members a better work-life balance while supporting their overall productivity and job satisfaction.
Find out more about what we offer, and if you’d like us to talk you through our workspaces at Avenue 77, drop us a message now.
