1. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Welcome to the
section „Dealing with
Distractions at Your
Work Place “.
Did you already print
out the corresponding
worksheet? Let us then
get started!

2. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
So how can
we avoid
distraction and
stay focused at
work/e-training
course?

3. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Learning objectives
 Develop skills to avoid internal and external distractions at
work/e-training course

4. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
I am going to
explain you
the
difference
between
internal and
external
distractions

5. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

6. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

7. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
Pay attention to eating
and hydration!
Do not complete the e-
training course when
you are hungry or thirsty

8. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
If you stay hydrated you
are more likely to stay
focused on the tasks and
you are more inclined to
perform at a higher
level!

9. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
 Tiredness
If you are tired you
have a harder time
focusing, you will work
slower and make more
mistakes

10. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
 Tiredness
Regular Breaks!
e.g. Take a break before
you start with the e-training
course.

11. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
 Tiredness
 Activity
Go and move a little
bit outside during your
breaks. Get some fresh
air!

12. Internal Distractions
 Pay attention to personal
needs
 Hunger & Thirst
 Tiredness
 Activity
 Oxygen
Our brain needs plenty of
oxygen, therefore, we have
to make sure fresh air and
temperatures around 20° to
21°C are guaranteed at all
times.

13. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions
Internal Distractions External Distractions

14. External Distractions
The phone rings –
unfortunately you cannot
find it on your messy desk.
Your boss knocks on your
door: he needs the hardcopy
version of the presentation.
In which paper stack is the
presentation hiding...?

15. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
How is YOUR desk
organized?
Do you find yourself looking
for important documents
all the time?

16. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
Only the documents that
you need on a daily basis
should be on your desk.

17. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual
Distractions
Can you eliminate noisy
equipment and machines
and visual distractions
from your office?

18. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual
Distractions
Complete the
e-training course in a
quiet surrounding

19. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual Distractions
 Lighting
Is the lighting
comfortable for your
eyes?

20. External Distractions
 Organization of your Desk
 Noises and Visual Distractions
 Lighting
 Meetings and Calls
It is not rude or impolite to
tell a visitor or caller that
you are focused on a
different task and that you
will return the call
afterwards.

21. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Distractions always
mean that your
productivity and
performance is
decreasing. It means
that you are focused
on a different task
in the meantime

22. Dealing with Distractions at Your Work Place
Please think about
how you can
reduce distractions
at your work place
and write it on the
work sheet 4.1!

23. Bottom Line
 A lot of time and energy is wasted due to continuous
distractions
 In many cases distractions are fairly easy to eliminate
Ask yourself more often…
 Is my desk perfectly organized?
 Should I postpone a meeting or return the call at a later point in time
and get back to my main task and focus?
 Can I eliminate disturbing noises from the office?
 Is is possible to arrange a reserved time in which you can only focus on
YOUR tasks and challenges?