What do a constant flood of emails, unnecessary meetings and chatty co-workers all have in common? They are some of the top distractions at work. While many interruptions involve technology like smartphones, others result from office gossip or simply trying to focus on too many tasks at once. In fact, according to a report from software company Unily, nearly half of employees are distracted at least once every 30 minutes during the workday. Even more shocking, almost a third of those surveyed report being distracted at least once every 15 minutes.
There are many things at stake when it comes to distractions at work. The most obvious is productivity. In research conducted by Udemy, 50% of workers say they’re significantly less productive due to workplace distractions. This isn't surprising, given that according to one study, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track following an interruption. Constant disruptions also take an emotional toll, which negatively impacts office morale. In the same study, 34% of respondents admit to liking their jobs less due to distractions at work. The fact that remote work is prevalent also means increased potential interruptions. Anything from children and pets to a delivery man at your front door can quickly derail your day.
Learning how to stay focused takes training and discipline.
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