I came across an interesting perspective today when I was chatting with my accountability buddy. I reflected on the times when I am working hard and why I can’t replicate it a lot of the time. Eventually it hit me. It was the environment I am in. When I feel like really exerting myself work-wise I go into a complete zone out and everything around me just shuts off, much to the dismay of the people who are talking directly to me being completely ignored.
When I am in this state I am locked in, concentrating on what I am doing and most of the time enjoying it. I find when I am bored I noticed absolutely everything that is happening around me. I hear every conversation and pick up on many little things that others wouldn’t. This state drives me crazy. There is nothing worse feeling like there is nothing to do.
That is the misconception though. There is always something to do but most of the time we are avoiding it or don’t want to dedicate ourselves to it at the current time.
I do get quite frustrated when I am working on something and I get interrupted every 5 minutes. Nothing kills productivity quicker than a few interruptions, the frustration puts you in a poor mindset and you can kiss productivity goodbye!
I now know how the developer I work with feels. Coding is one of those things that require your full concentration and I know for a fact he is constantly interrupted. How do I know this? Because most of the time I am the culprit, something isn’t working or I need a hand with someone beyond my knowledge (despite him claiming I stated I now know everything that I have a blog – completely untrue) I just walk right in and ask straight up.
Some people are absolutely relentless and I don’t know about you but I definitely cannot work to a level that I expect of myself in those conditions. Placed in a different environment doing the exact same work it would be a completely different story.
Take this blog for example. I am currently sitting in the study, there is not a sound and I can just concentrate and pump out these words with plenty of time to think and it just flows. I am not distracted by anything. I love that type of working environment. On the other hand if I was in an office and I was asked to write an 800 word article on anything and it had to be done by the end of the day and I had someone coming in to see how I was going every 5 minutes, well, chances of that 800 words getting done would be slim to none.
I have come to realise that sometimes it’s not the work you don’t enjoy it’s the environment in which you conduct that work. Think about that for a moment.
In a Summer Camp contents I was cleaning spew off the floors, blocking clogged toilets filled to the rim with sights I never want to see again, changing beds of children that has been pissed in overnight, but it was part of the job and I couldn’t care in the slightest because I absolutely loved where I was, every day was a good one and they were elite working conditions.
Compare those same exact jobs in an environment you hated, you didn’t want to be there and everything was driving you nuts. I couldn’t see myself doing those jobs at any point.
Another prime example of being able to think more clearly is having a clean room. I found before exams I always had to clean my room purely for the fact that when I went to bed I could sleep better. If there was junk all over my room my thoughts would often be a mess as well.
Clear Mind
Messy Room (Don't Judge Me)
*Disclaimer: These photos were taken in 2011 when I was doing a recording for my Camp America application video and I had a lot of wardrobe changes.
Take a moment to clean up your work space, and your bedroom and see what a difference it makes. I might be the only one but do you get agitated when someone moves something on your desk. I know exactly where all my paperwork is and everything important that I need and when people think they are helping you out by cleaning something up it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Create the environment you need to create to work effectively. Best of luck!
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