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12
Apr 2012

Tips for Working from Home

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Working from home can be quite a challenge.  As “easy” as it sounds, actually getting work done is tricky when you have all the comforts of home competing for your attention.  From the home phone to your cell phone to TV to chores that just didn’t get done and are staring you in the face, it’s almost impossible to sit down and keep your eyes and mind focused on your work.  As such, it’s important to set some ground rules for yourself so you can hold yourself accountable to making your time worth something.

  • Set “office hours.”  Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you work all the time.  Nor does it mean you squeeze work in around your errands.  To honor yourself, your commitments, and your family, you need to set specific hours in which you work.  Be professional- don’t take breaks to hang with friends, wash dishes, or even do laundry.   However, once those hours are over, stop working and go “home.”
  • Act professionally.  Just because you have a laptop and a couch doesn’t mean you should work in your pj’s.  You don’t have to wear suits, but dressing professionally can help you stay in the work mindset and not get easily distracted.
  • Set goals.  Again it’s part of being professional- don’t work aimlessly or without goals.  Dependent upon your job, set weekly or monthly goals that are challenging but achievable.  This will help you stay focused and not run adrift.
  • Block distractions.  They come in a lot of forms, both internally and externally.  If noise of a problem or just catches your attention, try a sound machine or this free white noise generator.  Another form of distraction comes online, as well.  There are quite a few productivity add-ons you can try to get more done.
The key to working from home successfully is treating your job professionally and blocking distractions.
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10
Apr 2012

Sound Machine for Less Distraction

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Do you feel easily distracted?

There are so many distractions out there these days.  Sometimes I have tons to do, and I just can’t get it done without finding myself quite distracted.  Other times, I am looking for distractions because I simply don’t feel like working.  Either way, it’s not good.  Apparently, I am not alone.  I found all these comments on Facebook while I was not working.

  • Drat you, Leechblock! I want to waste time on the internet, and you’re blocking all my favorite spots! #dratproductivity #imsonotagrownup
  • I went off the grid for 10 days to ponder how much time I waste on Facebook etc. The answer was, a lot. However, what I learned is that I am very grateful for this tool and the ability It gives me to remain connected to family and friends while living overseas.
  • I am resolved to spend less time on the Internet in general, but will continue to use Facebook to remain connected to my loved ones. In this case, technology is a blessing to me.
  • It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!! (EXCEPT FOR THE BACK YARD NEIGHBOR’S DOGS THAT ARE BARKING CONTINUOUSLY AT NOTHING’)

Wasting time on Facebook is a universal issue.  I agree that Facebook and similar online technology is a huge blessing, especially for those of us overseas.  However, I think we can all agree that Facebook rarely aides us in our work or deadlines.  In addition, I’ve found that hearing co-workers’ messages ding in is quite distracting as well.   Thus, even disciplining myself against internet use doesn’t always work since I am held hostage to my co-workers’ choices.

Once again, can I tell you how helpful a sound machine can be in this situation?  A little background noise can do wonders to help you stay focused and tune out distracting noises {like your annoying co-workers who don’t mute their computers or put their cell phones on vibrate}.  Plus, you can choose when you use it and even what kinds of sounds you want, such as nature sounds.

If you’d like to be less distracted and more focused at work, try a sound machine at your desk.

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03
Apr 2012

Sound Machines for Babies

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In the Trenches

I have written many times about the benefits of a sound machine for babies and their sleep.  And while I wrote from personal experience, I did it from hindsight.  I was looking back on what worked for past issues, not what we were currently going through.  There is great wisdom in hindsight, but it often dulls our memories.  We forget how hard the issue really was when we were in it.  We tend to simplify what was a rather complicated problem we weren’t sure how to navigate.

Thus, when I suggest that you use a sound machine for your baby, I am doing it from the trenches.  I have an 11 week old.  She is my third.  Thus, I am juggling a lot of kids, and therefore, a lot of noise all day, and sometimes night!  While googling typical sleep patterns for 3-month-olds, I found this comment I wanted to share:

“my son is just 3 months. i have the same problem he has always napped from 1/2hr to 45 min. the most he has gone is 55min. i read that it is developmental. he will in time develop the skill to sleep longer until then all you can do is comfort him back to sleep. dont do the cry it out method. he has slept just enough to take the edge off and will not be able to fall asleep by himself! i found the swing to be a life saver! he will sleep 2-3 hours in it and i use it in the early morning when he is fussy in his sleep. i was told he will out grow the swing so dont worry about him becoming addicted. oh also the miracle blanket is wonderful! our little guy kept breaking out and waking himself up! white noise also helps! pretty much recreate the womb :) hope this helps!”

White Noise for Babies

I’d like to second most of what this mom says, minus the swing- never worked for us.  However, swaddling  and white noise have done wonders for us, too.  By 3 months, I usually quit swaddling, but I usually continue or start using a white noise/sound machine.  We’ve found that 2 older siblings add a lot of noise to the house, which would be challenging for any baby to sleep through.  I don’t crank it up, but I do use it to provide a quieter environment for my baby to sleep.  naps are precious, as is early morning sleep- just because my bigger kids are up doesn’t mean my baby needs to be, too!

If your baby is struggling to sleep, or sleep soundly, why not try white noise for better rest?

Categories: Tips and Tricks
03
Apr 2012

Tips for Being Pregnant & Professional

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It’s fun to day dream about being pregnant and how cute your bump will be.  But fitting that bump behind your desk without getting nauseous can prove pretty challenging at times.  Here are some tips for making it to the end of the pregnancy comfortably and still on speaking terms with your co-workers.

Tips for Balancing Pregnancy and Work

I am a woman who has delivered 3 babies, so I feel like I can attest to the fact that many pregnant women are easily irritated by being uncomfortable in spaces that used to be fine.  Plus, keeping good relationships with co-workers is essential in that you’re going to have to keep working with them.  Thus, check out these tips for making it to the end of your pregnancy and back to work at the end of your maternity leave.

  • Chances are, you’re going to get sick at some point at work.  Be prepared that you will probably get sick at work.  Once you feel the symptoms, book it the restroom and do it privately.  It’s usually good measure to have a toothbrush and toothpaste handy, too.
  • Feed the nausea.  Not eating is way worse for your nausea than eating intentionally.  Try keeping some healthy snacks in your desk so that you can eat every few hours, of not more frequently.  {Some good snacks are homemade popcorn as a whole grain or a bag of nuts for protein.}
  • Protect your co-worker relationships.  Things that used to bug you might now just about kill you.  Try not to snap at your co-workers for being overly chatty and distracting.  Instead try a sound machine for better focus and less irritation.
  • As you get, ahem, bigger, you will find it even more necessary to have an adjustable ergonomic desk , and some women find that being able to sit or stand as they please enables them to keep working, even through third trimester back pain.
  • If at all possible, sit in an ergonomic chair.  As your pregnant body continues to change, you’ll appreciate the adjustability of an ergo chair.  As with an adjustable ergonomic desk, having the flexibility of a chair that changes with you is crucial.  Plus, most ergonomic chairs provide good back support, a feature that you will not regret come the third trimester.  {Keep in mind that just by asking HR, you might be able to score some or all of these ergo products.
  • Take breaks.  Taking breaks is essential for everyone, but especially for pregnant women.  Stand up, stretch, walk around a few times, etc.

Balancing pregnancy and work can seem daunting, but just being proactive with good ergonomics and even a sound machine to stay focused will help you survive, and even thrive at work.

 

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27
Mar 2012

Reasons to Use White Noise

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In an ideal world, we would not need white noise.  We would be able to work, sleep, and just relax peacefully without worry about, well anything- certainly not noise.  That would be more than an ideal world- it would be perfect.  However, we all know that our world is less than perfect.  There are a lot of imperfections, but today we’ll focus on noise.  From honking horns to barking dogs to crying babies to chatty co-workers, we deal with a lot of noise every day, and that noise distracts us at the very least and rattles us senseless at worst.

The good thing is that we can combat noise with noise.  White noise is a combination of all the sounds on the sound spectrum so that the brain cannot focus on any one noise.  This is a good thing because it allows you to tune out unwanted noise for various purposes: undistracted work, uninterrupted work, and peaceful relaxation.  There are many ways to use white noise and just as many cool features various sound machines come with.  Here are some basic apps:

  • run it at your desk to block annoying or just distracting co-workers
  • run it in your dorm room for quieter study times
  • run it in your baby’s room to help her sleep through the family’s noise
  • run it in your older kids’ room as they adjust to sharing a room
  • run it on the road when you’re held hostage to hotel noise
  • run it in your living room for some peace and “quiet’
  • run it in your own bedroom so you can fall asleep and stay asleep more easily
I primarily use my sound machines for sleep purposes, whether for myself or my 3 kids.  They make a ton of noise, more than anyone could be expected to sleep through.  Thus, having a resource that keeps me from yelling at them is great.  Plus, many sound machines come wit cool features, such as time display, alarms, timers, and/or jet lag reduction.
So, if you’re needing more peace and quiet than your noisy life is giving you, try a sound machine.
Categories: Tips and Tricks
20
Mar 2012

3 Ways I Used White Noise Last Night

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My husband has been out of the country for almost a week, leaving me with our 3 children to care for!  I’m actually not complaining at all- they are my children and I adore them.  However, going nonstop for a week with no back-up, during the older two’s school holidays, with a 3-month old who is not sleeping through the night can be quite overwhelming at times.  One of the main things I’ve learned about myself when managing solo parenting is to stay busy!  This may sound silly- isn’t having 3 kids at home pretty busy already?  Why, yes, it is.  But being busy tidying up at home is quite different than being busy with friends and fun things to do.  Thus, one of my saving graces was having one thing planned a day that was fun to look forward to, either for the kids or me or both: play dates here or out, errands, parks, eating out, or having a girls’ night after hours just for me.

An important side note is that even when I did have people over for the big kids or for me, I still had at least one child napping or sleeping, and usually it was the baby.  While she is quite small, she is social enough to be aware of noise and for it to interfere with a good nap or nighttime sleep.  Intrusive noise could be the difference between a 30-minute nap or a 2-hour nap!  The same goes for my big kids- if they happened to nap or want to sleep in, the wrong noise could rouse them prematurely.

3 ways I Used White Noise Last Night

I had 5 college-aged girls over for a movie night.  They’re sweet, but they don’t have kids, so staying quiet was not on their minds, nor did I want to shush them all evening.   Thus, I employed white noise for my kids:

  1. In the baby’s room.  She went down first, so her sound machine blocked her siblings’ pre-bedtime play and last minute shuffle into bed.
  2. In the big kid’s room.  They are even more social and definitely aware of what they’re missing.  Thus, a well-placed sound machine kept them uninterested in what was going on in the living room, as well as in each other’s noise.

Lastly, I don’t like waking up to every cough or snore I hear from the kids.  When my husband is away, my ears are on hyper-alert, which means I am sleepless as I feel held hostage to their noises.

3.  In my room.  I used a very low level setting on my own portable sound machine that keeps me oblivious to little noises that don’t warrant my attention, but still able to hear when the baby needs to be fed.

A sound machine can be a stressful way of dealing with noise when life needs to keep going on, but your family needs to sleep.

 

 

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13
Mar 2012

Office Noise for Students

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The Woes of Office Noise

My husband is a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.  Before we moved to Scotland, it was easy to romanticize the experience- sightseeing, bumming around castles, counting sheep on the grassy hillsides, and writing up a speedy dissertation (called a thesis here).  And while we have done a lot of traipsing around the UK and our fair share of sheep-counting, the thesis side of things has not been quite as expected. One of the main surprises has been the actual work space….or lack thereof.  Not too shocking is that no one has his or her own office space.  As such, at least 2, if not 3 or 4, students share one working area.  Fortunately, many of these office dwellers are friends and share topics, though not all.  However, these shared offices are all in the same building, which ends up adding up to quite a few students.  From office to office, you have men and women, young and, um, older, not mention lots of different temperaments.

Dealing with Noise

All that is to say that noise has become quite a problem in my husband’s building.  Sometimes it’s the productive workers frustrated by the talkative, less focused workers.  Other times, it’s the street noise as people like me walk by with our children and are too lazy to actually call our spouses and therefore just shout up to their windows.  And, last but not least, there are the grouchy students who are irritated by group lunches or coffee breaks in the common area that is situated to their work areas.  All in all, the noise adds up, and it is threatening to destroy relationships and kill deadlines and goals.

What’s the solution?  Contrary to what administration seems to believe, sending out a group email telling people they can’t eat together in the common area is not the solution.  Why not try a less ridiculous option, such as a sound machine?  Individuals could use a desktop sound machine when noise is a problem and turn it off when it’s not.  That way personal relationships could be saved, and people could still get work done, too.  Win-win.

If office noise is a problem for you and your studies, try a sound machine for better focus.

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06
Mar 2012

4 Ways to Be More Productive at Work

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Who couldn’t use more productivity at work?  There are several ways in which we can boost our productivity, starting with eliminating as much distraction as possible, as well as re-thinking your work space.

  1. Eliminate self-inflicted distractions! We love to blame others, but a recent study found that people tend to interrupt and distract themselves at work more than 30 times a day. That’s not to say that others don’t contribute, too, but first deal with yourself.  This includes limiting personal email and phone calls.  It’s not that you can’t do anything for yourself, but try to spend time completely focused on your work.
  2. Rearrange your desktop. You may not think of a cluttered desk as the enemy of productivity, but very few people flow with creativity and productivity in the  midst of clutter or, even worse, trash.  Start by getting rid of all the junk.  It’s hard to be organized in a distracting mess.  Get rid of what you can and file what you can.  Then, move your essential items within easy reach. This means keeping your keyboard and mouse centered in front of you, an inch or two above your legs. An adjustable keyboard tray can help optimize your work space. Try upgrading to an ergonomic keyboard to increase your comfort and productivity.
  3. Use white noise to block excess office noise, instead of wasting time and energy trying to block the extra conversations around us. This is an easy way to subtly deal with co-worker-inflicted distractions.  A sound machine will block random office noises that fight for your attention. If you have never used white noise, try out this free white noise generator to see you find it helpful at work.
  4. Stand up!  A recent study showed that standing can increase brain function by 5% to 20%. Find some creative ways to work while standing, like while answering phone calls, or just take a break from your chair. For even better results, maybe its time to try a sit-or-stand ergonomic desk. This device it attaches directly to your current work surface to provide easy height adjustment for your monitor, keyboard and mouse, allowing you to stand up ergonomically while still using your computer.

You can learn to accomplish more during a work day by eliminating distractions. Start by using a white noise machine to block the time-consuming distractions and office conversations. Try taking a break from email and phone calls for a while and turn on some white noise to help you concentrate.  At the end of the day you will feel less stressed, more productive and able to leave on time for a relaxing evening.

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28
Feb 2012

Making the Most of Your Time at Work

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January and February can be difficult month for many people, especially at work.  They feel unfocused, unproductive, and possibly even depressed.    The holidays are long gone, as is the excitement and feelings of hope for the new year.  People may even feel bummed that they’ve already missed their new year resolutions.  Throw in typical office distractions, and frustration just rises.  If you feel distracted, unproductive, or even down and depressed, please know you are not alone.  Most workers are distracted, and millions are depressed this time of year.  Keep reading for some tips on dealing with distraction/ lack of productivity and depression.

Dealing with Distraction

First, let’s deal with distraction.  The average worker is distracted 2 hours every day.  Being that distracted makes you unfocused, prone to mistakes and high levels of stress.  Interestingly, a lot of distraction is due to office noise, namely conversations.  An easy way to deal with conversational distraction is to use a sound machine which emits very low-level white noise so that you can tune out it and the surrounding noise to get back to work.

Dealing with Depression

Next, let’s talk about depression.  Depression is not a fun thing to talk about, but it’s important to know that Seasonal Affective Disorder affects millions of Americans.  It’s a form of depression that occurs in the winter months, and usually due to lack of sunlight.  Like sound masking, an equally simple solution is light therapy .  Try a “happy light” at your desk to literally brighten up your mood because the light replicates the rays of the sun.  It’s surprising how much a little light can do for your peace of mind.

If you struggle with distraction (and you do) or seasonal depression, try out sound masking system and/or light therapy for low-cost, easy to use solutions.

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23
Feb 2012

Sound Machine Options for Distracted Workers

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Distractions & Sound Machines

If you’re reading this, it probably means that you’re distracted at work.  Don’t worry (well, you kind of should worry at least a little bit), you are not alone.  The average worker suffers from distraction at least 2 hours every day.  While internet and cell phones account for some of this distraction, surprisingly enough they are not the main culprits.  What is, you ask?  Office noise, namely conversational distraction.  Whether it’s your own conversation or someone else’s, office chatting is just plain distracting because it perks your ears up and your mind off work.  Once you’ve turned your attention back to work, you’ve lost both time and your train of thought.

How can you deal with conversational distraction?  Well, besides setting some personal boundaries and maybe having some tough boundaries with colleagues, there is something you can do that can help you literally tune out many distractions: a sound machine.

Sound machines are great because, unlike music, the white noise employed by sound machines doesn’t add to the distraction. As fun as it to jam to your favorite songs, most of the time, that music just makes focused working harder.  In contrast, a sound machine drowns out background noise so that you can focus on work instead of co-worker chatter or gossip. And don’t worry, you don’t have to blare the machine to achieve a sound barrier.  White noise is effective at a low level.  And just so we’re clear, this isn’t just a nice idea; studies show that they can help you keep your focus and feel less stressed.  More specifically, studies have found that offices that utilized white noise showed an average of 48% improvement in their ability to focus on tasks, a 51% improvement in elimination of distractions (especially overheard conversations), and a 27% improvement in lowered stress levels.

  • A small portable option for a white noise machine is the Sound Oasis Travel White Noise Therapy System.  I like to think of this as the Mighty Mouse of the sound machines. It is tiny in stature, but can beat up all the big distractions keeping you from doing what you are supposed to be doing–working. Even better, since it’s portable, you can take it home with you to help you get better sleep at night.

  • If you don’t want a portable option, the Sound Oasis Deluxe Office White Noise System is a nice option. It’s not as small as the travel sound machine, but it does have a lot more features, including 20 main sounds & 5 mix sounds create 120 sound environment possibilities.
  • If you aren’t convinced and would just like to try it out, you could try a free online white noise generator. Just keep it open in a background browser window and you’ll be well on your way to working–without as much distraction and stress.

Sound machines have been shown to improve focus and tune out distraction.  It’s an easy fix for a costly problem at work.

 

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