For years now, if I need to get some serious work done on a project, I've had to leave the office--email, the Web, and the phone are too distracting; I can't stay focused long enough to actually think about a problem.
This CNet report details a study that shows the average office worker receives an interrupting distraction every three minutes. But here is the really bad news...it takes eight minutes for our brain to adjust and get focused in on a particular work task or idea.
So all day long, it's one constant interruption after another as we struggle to get our work done, never quite able to get our brains in gear.
Some companies are beginning to have "no email Fridays," in which employees are not allowed to use email for anything but the most urgent work. And many people have already turned off the beep that announces incoming email.
Years ago, in my dissertation research about the workflow and activities of architects, I found some data that showed where a business puts the coffeemaker can have a profound impact on the effectiveness of the office. The environment in which we work--physical and mental--can have a huge impact. I was talking to someone recently and they described the carpal tunnel problems they were having with their wrists, from too much keyboard work.
Those kinds of problems are usually completely avoidable if adjustable keyboard trays and split, curved keyboards are used. Many people I talk to are reluctant to try an ergonomic keyboard because they look "strange," but are willing to have surgery on their wrists or will wear wrist splints for months.
Our environment and the technology we use affects us, and we need to stay in control--and take control. We do not have to settle for less.