Constant Interruptions, Disturbances, Noise - How They Can Rob You of Your Focus (and Motivation)

They are building all around me. This week even with a jackhammer below me. It is unbearably noisy. This noise totally robs me of my focus and consequently motivation.

So, I am now sitting in a quiet restaurant right by the lake writing this. :) Hotel lobbies seem to be my place for creative thoughts. 

Nothing against the builders or the need to repair / renovate something in the building. That is life and we need to do maintenance on buildings, as much as we need maintenance in the form of self-care.

My struggle this morning is the level of noise. It makes me realize how much noise makes focussing difficult for me.
I intended to attempt my morning brain training before I started work but found the sound of the drills and jackhammer below me disrupting. In fact so disrupting that I left the house and retreated to this lakeside location.

No matter how much I encouraged myself I could handle it - the truth is I could not.

I do not have any noise canceling headphones. This might be the time to buy some!
All the same the renovations need to continue for 1-2 more weeks. Obviously I am not the only one affected.

In the days of hybrid working many in the buldling are affected by this noise. I am blessed with being able to book my own schedule with clients so can work around it.

These are the steps I took to end up here in a quiet place:

I considered my options:

1. Stay at home and keep busy not working, do whatever I could do in a noisy environment
2. Attempt to focus
3. Go out and buy noise canceling headphones, see if they help with my focus.
4. Go out and find a quiet place
5. Moan and groan about it
   
   

It looks like No 4. won!

I refuse to jump into assumptions: How am I going to work the this level of noise', 'I will not achieve anything', 'I cannot handle this', 'I will not getting anything done' etc.
Instead I stay grounded in the day and deal with each day as it unfolds.

As I tell my clients "Do not attempt to solve problems until they are on the table."
That does not mean that planning is not necessary but as we know reality can offer a completely different story on the day.
It is all about how we react (emotionally) when something happens. When something triggers our emotions.
Easier said than done. 

As a coach I feel strongly about being able to 'practice what I preach' and handle my emotional triggers. I choose the consequences of my options.

First I consider the choices, my decision is made based on the consequences of each choice.

What I gain from this approach is strength, self confidence, clear thinking and action.

Having chosen to remove myself from the noise ... I will now continue focusing, thinking and enjoying being productive in this quiet lake side environment.​

by Suzie Doscher, Self-help Author since 2014, 
​Accredited Native English speaking Executive Coach focusing on Personal / Self Development since 2006.

​Photo credit:  Pexels

Contact Suzie to schedule a chat on how she can support you.