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Working in an open space may sound appealing thanks to the friendly atmosphere with colleagues, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare when those colleagues are a little (or very) noisy. And the more people there are, the harder it is to focus. At Moovijob.com, we know what we’re talking about, as there are more than 15 of us in the same open space. Today, we’re sharing our best tips and tricks to stay focused on your work in this shared environment.
1. Communication is key
This might seem obvious, but it’s always worth repeating: communication is key! If your colleagues are too loud and keep you from working, you need to let them know. By staying respectful and polite, it shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s important to create a healthy work environment for everyone in such a large space. That’s why listening to each other and adapting to everyone’s needs is essential, without staying silent when something bothers you.
2. Set some rules
If informal and spontaneous communication isn’t enough, or if you feel lost, more formal rules can be established for a better understanding! For example, your company might encourage taking calls to meeting rooms. Some workplaces also use a system of flags or signs to indicate that you need some uninterrupted time.
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3. Isolate yourself
The simplest and often most effective solution is to isolate yourself, especially when you need to complete a complex task. You can always move to a quieter desk or find a free meeting room. It might feel a little cold at first, which is why clear communication is important to avoid misunderstandings.
4. Headphones
A simple and well-known technique: the trusty old headphones trick.
Headphones don’t necessarily mean music, some people struggle to focus with it. You can use noise-cancelling features or background sounds like white noise. It’s up to you: podcasts, classical music, noise reduction, or even heavy metal, whatever works best for you!
Just be careful not to create the opposite effect by starting to sing out loud in the open space… then you’ll be the one disturbing others!
5. Remote work
Maybe the invention of the century, and one of the good things left over from Covid. Being able to work quietly from the comfort of your home without being disturbed.
Of course, parents may find their kids noisier than their colleagues… and if there’s construction work outside your home, you might actually be better off going to the office! Use remote work wisely.
And if your colleagues annoy you even in writing, just mute Teams!
And if none of this works, then maybe it’s time to find a new job.
Lucky you, thousands of job offers in Luxembourg are waiting for you on Moovijob.com!
