It's Time to Get Serious About Eliminating Distractions on the Job

The directive is pretty clear from the employment world in these tough economic times: "Remain relevant." But the unspoken addition is this: "Or you could be out on your ear."

Right now, it's critical that you become more focused than ever on your job and your employer. That means the first thing you've got to do is cut down on distractions. Because if you're distracted, you're not as productive, as creative or as critical to your company. While we all know we should turn off the e-mail and check only every couple of hours, there are other distractions that we are less inclined to eliminate.

It's time to get serious. Things are scary out there, and no one can afford to perform at less than 100 percent. It's time to get real, and get tough. Let's talk about some ways that you need to kick your own butt into gear:

* Stop socializing online. I know this is going to get some heat from some people, but I think it's gotten out of control. Right now, we all need time to let our minds relax and recharge by going to a local park with our family or friends or reading something enjoyable. I know one person who recently decided to stop using Facebook. He told me it was something he had been thinking about for a long time, but this week he was brutally honest with himself and said he knew his work was suffering because of the constant distraction of keeping up with his Facebook page and the "social" aspect of it was just too stressful. Here's an interesting aside: Facebook didn't want to make it easy to end the addiction. It asked him the reasons for leaving, and each time he clicked on an answer, a solution popped up. Harden your resolve and step away from MySpace, Twitter and Friendster. If you can't go cold turkey, eliminate all but one or two sites, and never check it at work, unless these sites are part of your job description.

And your personal blog? Think about taking a break. I find many people who started blogs now believe they're nothing more than burden -- just one more task they have to take care of. It's really OK if you decide to take a break or stop altogether -- it it your blog, after all.
If you're not sure how much time you're spending on your social network site, get an old-fashioned timer and set it for 30 minutes. Every time you have to reset it, mark it down. I did this, and was stunned to see that an hour had gone by -- it seemed like I'd only been on it for 15 minutes.

* Quit texting: "Where R U?" may seem innocent enough, but it's the first salvo in a time suck that will have you texting yourself right out of a job. Turn off your personal cell phone or Blackberry and only check on your lunch hour for emergency messages. Ignore everything else until after work.

* Do something monotonous. I came up with my book idea while blow drying my hair. Another friend came up with a great marketing idea while taking a shower. Stop trying to entertain yourself all the time, such as listening to a podcast while working out, or watching YouTube on your laptop while waiting in a airport. Let yourself get bored -- you'll be amazed at how it will turn on your brain and get you thinking more creatively and freely. (I get some of my best column ideas while doing laundry or driving.) It's those creative thoughts that are going to make you stand out at work, to help you remain relevant to your boss.

* Be selective with your information input. The Internet is wonderful because it offers us 24/7 information. The Internet is terrible because it offers us 24/7 information. With the financial mess and the upcoming election, it's tempting to check CNN every 10 minutes. Don't. It won't do your job any good to focus too much on things beyond your control right now. Get your news fix before and after work, either in print or on air, then move onto something else.

* Keep moving. Yeah, exercise is good for you, but moving feet are also a good idea at work. Don't stop to chat in the bathroom, around the coffee pot or anywhere else that seems to be a "bulls**t zone." Just keep moving with a friendly wave and a "I've got a deadline" comment.

What are some ways you've found to cut down on distractions?

Bosses Feeling the Strain

I've been traveling a lot for business lately, and I've just got to get some pet peeves off my chest:

* If you've got a big case, stuffed with a heavy laptop, do not fling that thing over your shoulder without checking to see if someone is behind you. Chances are, if you're standing in line or on a crowded flight, there is someone close by and you could cause potentially cause serious bruises and/or brain damage when you whack them with it.
* Two words: Anti-perspirant. (Or is that two words?) No matter. Use it. When we're packed together like sushi rolls, your failure to shower or use such a product is very evident. Your fellow passengers would appreciate it.

OK, that's it. I know you thought I was going to get into people and their cell phones, but I figure no one is paying attention to that argument anymore. So, if you'll just stop smelling like a gym locker and refrain from giving me a black eye with your laptop, I'm good.

Now, on to Tidbit Tuesday:

* OMG: I wrote in my book about bosses being driven crazy by employee's poor writing skills, so here's another thought: The zealous text messaging by today's youth will only make the problem in the workplace much worse in the years to come.
“Text messaging is destroying the written word. The students aren’t writing letters, they’re typing into their cell phones one line at a time. Feelings aren’t communicated with words when your texting; emotions are sideways smiley faces. Kids are typing shorthand jargon that isn’t even a complete thought,” says Jacquie Ream, former teacher and author of “K.I.S.S. Keep It Short and Simple” (Book Publishers Network).
Ream contends it's up to today's parents to rescue our children from shoddy writing, or we're going to have a whole generation of workers who can't use their critical thinking skills to write reports for the boss. Her suggestion: Get the kids to talk about a novel they've read and put their thoughts down on paper.
Based on what bosses tell me, I think the problem has already hit the workplace...

* I want my YouTube: I'm starting to get press releases from companies who say they can do all kinds of technological wizardry to keep workers focused on their work. Example: eTelemetry says it can turn off the employee use of online videos at work. Seems the streaming video "stresses a network by 100x more than an email, and can cause problems ranging from slow download or surfing speed to complete network outage, plus the clear issues with employee productivity, says eTelemetry press release".
"Now businesses large and small have the capability to optimize their bandwidth usage to ensure that it is used for the highest-priority applications,” said eTelemetry President and CEO, Ermis Sfakiyanudis.
In other words, no more watching a dog windsail or a Madonna impersonator on YouTube when you're supposed to be working. Bummer, dude.

* Even the boss is depressed. A survey of 899 corporate leaders and managers finds their on-the-job confidence and energy are waning, suggesting the difficult business climate is taking a toll, says eePulse Inc.
“Over the last year, we have reported to our clients about warning signs in data from leaders whose energy is what we call ’below the zone,’” says Theresa Welbourne, eePulse president. “Executives say they are working at personal energy levels at which they are less productive due to uncertainty, lack of having the right people in the right jobs, continuing stress at work, and other issues."
All right, everyone, your mission today is clear: Give the boss a hug. Now go back to work.




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Women Bullying Other Women Not New

Was I the only one NOT shocked by the YouTube video of several girls beating another girl and videotaping the incident?

Of course, it was horrible. Of course, we should all condemn it. Of course, the girls who assaulted the other girl should be punished.

But women who gasp in horror and express their disbelief that females would be capable of such acts aren't being honest. Because the truth is, girls do beat up other girls, and it's not just a recent phenomenon. (Although the number of videos on YouTube showing such acts is.)

When I was in high school (and that was quite a long time ago), I was caught in the middle of girl-on-girl violence. I was with some friends who were attacked by some other girls they had a long-running fued with. I will never, as long as I live, forget the sickening thud of my friend's head being slammed into a marble wall by another girl. I managed to escape unharmed, and my friends survived as well.

Now let's fast forward to late last year, when I interviewed some experts about a study that showed in the workplace, women are much more likely to be bullied by -- you guessed it -- other women. Did it surprise me? Not really. I've been a woman in the workplace for a long time, and I've seen how women often treat other women.

Sure, we like to say we're collaborative, and some of us are. We like to say we communicate better, and sometimes we do. Still, the ugly truth remains. As my podcast partner Diane Danielson has said, women do throw other women under the bus. We say ugly things about one another, we don't support one another, and we don't reach back and help women who are trying to gain a toe-hold in the competitive business world.

So the question is this: WHY do we continue to bully one another? Isn't the world tough enough, isn't the workplace tough enough, without adding our own abuse to the mix?




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