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21
May 2013

Using White Noise to Recover Lost Time

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#distractedinbarnesandnoble

Rows and rows of cubicles, or even worse, shared trading-style tables, with little space and certainly no privacy are what the modern office offers most workers.

Man, it is hard to quiet the noise (without and within) to spend a few moments in silence and solitude! {Facebook}

Still expected to work productively, workers are faced with few alternatives.  Some suffer through it, their ears pricking at every nearby voice, others try to book a conference room for their own space, and still others flee…what a sad fact, that workers have to leave work to get any work done.  It’s not surprising in that the average worker is distracted more than 2 hours every day!  And the culprit is conversational distraction, or as “overheard conversation” as  workers called their biggest complaint.  That’s why many workers work outside the office- if they can escape the cubicle farm, then maybe they can escape the noisy effects.  Unfortunately, conversational distraction is not exclusive to offices:

To the two girls sitting across from me: We all get it. You’re the only two people in your office who do any work in your office. You’ve been BLATHERING ON about it for 30 minutes. Maybe it’s time to go back there and show everyone else how awesome you are? LOTS of Love, The Girl in the Corner Booting Up Her Favorite White Noise Channel… {Facebook post made from Barnes & Noble}

Recovering Lost Time with White Noise

Love that it's portable any very small, yet offers tons of options.

Love that it’s portable any very small, yet offers tons of options.

The first friend mentions how hard it is to find a serene peace of mind in which to even think, let alone function.  The second comments on a common issue- how annoying and distracting conversation is, both within and outside of the work place.  The irony is that while those ladies were bragging about their work ethic, they were distracting people trying to work at a coffee shop, while simultaneously not working themselves!

So, in honor of my friend who never works in the confines of an actual office, here are several white noise options:

  1. Free white noise generator.  Anyone can use this online generator for free and can even customize it.  It is ideal for a quick work session at a coffee shop or bookstore or anywhere else you’d rather not have to pack up an extra item.
  2. Portable sound machine.  I love portable sound machines because I can use them at home and on the road, for work and for sleep.

If you’re tried of losing hours a day to preventable problems such a noise, then be sure to try a white noise generator or portable sound machine.

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14
May 2013

5 Tips for Working More Creatively & Productively

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Staring at a blank screen, or even worse a few lame words that I feel married to but should probably divorce with a view for fresher ideas…when I drum my fingers or tap my pencil or check Facebook for the billionth time for a worthy distraction…that is when I know I need some inspiration.  And that inspiration rarely comes in the form of an unfriendly screen, its blank face reminding me of all the work I am not getting done.  I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not alone in my worker’s block.  In fact, based on my social media dawdlings, I am definitely not alone.  Distracted, unmotivated, discouraged people are not exactly productive or creative people.  So, here are 5 tips for getting the creative juices flowing.

5 Tips for Working More Creatively & Productively

  1. You can even choose soothing nature sounds.

    You can even choose soothing nature sounds.

    While your spontaneous side might balk at the idea of a schedule, setting aside specific time to work might help you organize yourself just enough to free your brain to work on something for work.

  2. Take a break.  Staring at a blank screen or a meager document that isn’t writing itself doesn’t usually encourage the creative juices to run.  Take a short walk, grab some coffee or a diet coke, catch some fresh air, take an early lunch…find a way to catch a few moments to yourself to take a breather.  Breaks also give your eyes and muscles time to re-focus and stretch out.
  3. Block out distractions.  For some, it’s as simple as not being able to hear themselves think.  If you don’t have the luxury of having your own office or work space, you can try a sound machine.  There are many varieties, each meant to help the brain tune out unnecessary noise.  There are even nature sound machines that just might help you feel relaxed and more able to tackle more challenging tasks on your to-do list.
  4. Work on something else.  Chances are, you’ll have an “aha!’ moment if you quit obsessing about the task needing to be done.  Plus, you’ll get something else crossed off in the mean time.
  5. Day dream.  In direct contradiction to common sense and even #3, allow your mind to wander.  Giving your mind some freedom is not only well-deserved, it is also linked to better problem-solving results.

The main thing to keep in mind is you are on the expert on you.  You might have an instinct on what might or might not jump start your work day.  Experiment a little at a time, but know yourself and do what works for you.  Here’s to a brilliant “aha!” moment {or several} in your very near future!

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28
Mar 2013

Tips for Working from Home: Part 2

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Working from home can prove quite challenging.  Last time we talked about 3 ways in which to get organized so you can be as productive as possible at home without a boss looking over your your shoulder to keep you going.  Here ‘s a quick recap for your skimming perusal:

Tips for Working from Home

  • produt02-350x320-350x300Make a plan.  Use a physical calendar or an online version and write down/type when projects are due.
  • Make a schedule. Schedule when you can actually get the work done.
  • Make changes in order to be productive.  Find a consistent space to work, clear your work space of distractions, and/or try a sound machine to tune out unwanted noise that can steal your focus.

These are helpful tips, but some of you may be wondering what to do with the kids during your work time?  Thus, I thought I’d add my top 3 tips for how to work and still be a parent.

  • Work while the kids sleep or are at school.  The best time to work is when your kids are happily occupied.  That usually means during nap time, school time, and bed time.  It may be hard to motivate yourself to work during your “down time,” but it’s the best way to work and still be a “present” parent. 
  • Make a work co-op.  Not everyone has the benefit of a school day or consistent nap time.  In that case, it may be wise to set up a work co-op.  This entails finding a friend or two you can switch off with for child care so you both can spend time with the kids separately, but also have your own individual time to work or get caught up.  The added benefit is that instead of being sad that you’re working, your kids get to spend time with their friends or a favorite babysitter.
  • Keep special toys or movies for work time.  As ideal as it is to work while the kids are asleep or at school, there are times that you have to get something done.  When that happens, it’s good to have a basket of special toys you only pull out for such times, or a movie or TV time that is unexpected so that a little extra work time for you isn’t such a bummer for your kids.

To effectively work from home as a stay-at-home parent is a two-pronged process: getting organized on your end so you can be productive, as well as keeping your kids your priority.  Hopefully, these tips will help you do just that.

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26
Mar 2013

Tips for Working from Home: Part 1

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I haven’t worked in a traditional office in a long time.  I went from the class room to being a mom to working from home pretty quickly.  As much as I treasure staying home with my kids, there is a tiny {and I do mean tiny} part of me that misses being in a formal work place.  And there is also a thing called making a budget and trying to pay bills without going into the red.  Thus, I found I wanted to have a foot in both worlds: be home with my kids and still have be a productive, working person.

That said, many people have asked me how I do it.  Superwoman I am not, but I do have a few tips for trying to keep the juggling act in the air and not all over the floor.

Tips for Working from Home

Working from home can be challenging even in a silent, kid-free house.  Throw in a few kids, holidays, summer vacation, the flu, etc., and making deadlines can be tricky indeed.  Here is what has worked for me for 5 years now as I have gone from 1 easy child at home to 3 somewhat easy to mostly sassy children.  My most important job is taking care of my kids, so these tips have been designed to maximize kid time and still get the work done.

  • produt02-350x320-350x300Make a plan.  For me, this means sitting down and mapping out what needs to be done.  Every job is different, but we usually all have deadlines or goals to meet.  I print out a physical calendar and write down when projects are due so I can see it all visually and have it in my hands.  Others prefer online calendars.  Do what suits you and motivates you the most.
  • Make a schedule.  Based on how much work I have to do and when it’s due, I make a schedule of when I can work.  I mark off time each day to work at least 5 days a week; I am just as careful to schedule time off so I don’t kill all my downtime and also have a little flex time for when things don’t go the way I planned {insert child throwing up or a snow day.
  • Make changes in order to be productive.  This can mean a lot of different things.  First, find a consistent space to work, whether it’s an actual home office or just a corner of the living room.  Next, clear your work space of distractions.  It can be helpful to get organized, get rid of trash, and get some distance from the TV.  Finally, try a sound machine to tune out unwanted noise that can steal your focus.

Hopefully these tips will help you maximize both your family time and your work time.  Be sure to check back next time for more tips for your kids.

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19
Mar 2013

5 Ways to Use White Noise {away from work}

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White noise is the use of structured sound to help tune out unstructured sound.  You may not realize it, but most, if not all, of life’s annoying noise is actually unstructured in that it is erratic and changes and is therefore quite distracting.  Thus, the art of sound masking came into existence.  Sound masking systems use speakers to emit white noise into offices for two main reasons:

  • Reduce distractions.
  • Achieve confidential privacy.

Businesses nationwide have found great success in these two areas as a result of sound masking.  Interestingly, I have found that there are other reasons to use white noise, such as at home.

5 {A}typical Ways to Use White Noise

  1. earthearpysoundcard-300x280 (6)Sleep.  Sound machines have proven quite useful in a variety of sleep situations.  From just wanting a good night of sleep at home to traveling in strange places to wanting a quick nap for yourself and/or your baby/child, millions have found sound machines to be their best shot at uninterrupted sleep.
  2. Jet lag.  Jet lag sucks, there’s no way around it.  Being tired but not being able to sleep at “normal” times or what feels like the right time to sleep is so demoralizing.  Like insomniacs, you lie awake when everyone else is snoring and while you can’t sleep, you can’t help but think about how tired you’ll be the next day.  Sound machines with a jet lag reduction feature can be quite useful when traveling across the US or abroad.
  3. Creative Role Play.  My kids use their sound machine for pretending all the time.  They love to make it windy or hear waves lapping at the beach or birds twittering in the jungle.  Their friends think it’s a ball, too!
  4. Animal Cages & Pets.  I never would have thought of it myself {maybe because I don’t like reptiles}, but our children’s museum used a sound machine with nature sounds for their caged reptiles.
  5.   Tinnitis.  If you’ve ever experienced ringing in your ears, then you know hos frustrating and uncomfortable tinnitis can be and how it robs you of sleep and even focus at work.  Sound therapy through a sound machine can really help the discomfort tinnitis causes.

Sound machines are a great investment for many families since they help with so many different problems or can be applied so creatively.  If you’re not sure about whether you like it or not, try out this free white noise generator.

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14
Mar 2013

5 Tips for Better Sleep

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A rough night…

Do you struggle to sleep at night?  I know I do at times.  In fact, I often watch my children go from bouncing off the walls to sound asleep in a matter of minutes, sometimes seconds, and wish adults experienced that kind of turn-around.  Unfortunately, we don’t.  Most of the time we lie awake, thinking about what has happened during the day, what still needs to happen, what’s going to happen tomorrow/the week/next week, etc.  Sometimes we lie awake because we’re happily thinking through it all, but more often than not, we’re stressing over something.  That’s why kids fall asleep practically instantly while adults toss and turn for minutes and hours.  The weight of the world is on our shoulders, or so it seems, and we have a difficult time shutting it off.

Tips for Better Sleep

We may not be able to pop a paci in our own mouths and nod off in our car seats, but we can take steps to help fall {and stay} asleep for a better night’s rest.  Some of them may be obvious, but it may be helpful in case you haven’t thought of it in a while.

  • Establish a bed time routine.  I know it sounds like I’m talking about kids, but it’s something we do for babies and small children that we forget to do for ourselves.  A bed time routine helps us wind down and feel more relaxed so we can drift off to sleep.  Instead of running around doing last-minute chores, try taking a bath or reading in bed to help your eyes get sleepy.  
  • Be consistent with your sleep total.  It’s hard, especially when it’s the weekend, but trying to go to bed at roughly the same time and getting up at roughly the same time each night and morning will help your body get consistent rest.
  • Limit your eating and drinking before bed.  Your tummy and your bladder will thank you, and you’ll sleep better because you don’t have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
  • Try a sound machine and/or ear plugs.  A good sound machine will help you tune out your mid-night sound track, such as street noise.  Some sound machines are even directed at sleep issues.  Ear plugs can also be helpful, especially if your partner snores right next to you.
  • Try a sleep aid.  If all else fails, you can consult a medical professional for sleep aids.  It’s wise to get a professional opinion and not self-diagnose and -medicate.

Getting a good night of sleep is essential for us all, so be sure to take what steps you can to get yours.

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11
Mar 2013

Sound Machines: Sound Masking for Home

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Sound Masking for Work

The benefits of sound masking are numerous, but the main factor of the establishment of speech privacy.  Businesses, counseling services, churches, medical facilities, as well as government and military officials have found speech privacy crucial for two main reasons:

  1. Reduction of distractions.  As mentioned above, workers can’t understand co-worker chatter, so they tend to be less distracted by it and more able to keep their focus on work, make fewer mistakes, and be more productive overall.
  2. Establishment of private confidentiality.  In addition to allowing workers to work better, speech privacy allows for privacy when necessary.

Sound Masking for Home

You can even choose soothing nature sounds.

You can even choose soothing nature sounds.

While these are indeed extremely important factors to consider for businesses and other facilities that need speech privacy, many of us need it for quite another purpose.  And while measurably less professional and corporate, many would argue that this use of sound masking is closer to the heart because its intended subject is closer to our hearts: our children.  Here’s the deal: I have had 3 children in the past 7 years.  Each one has had his or her own sleep patterns and sleep needs, but the consistent thing was that they all needed a certain amount of sleep,t hat if not gotten, was heck to pay later.

Thus, I did and do what I have to to protect their sleep.  My older two are past too many sleep problems, but their antics do tend to bother their baby sister, who would love to stay awake with them.  Interestingly, while her room is practically miles away from their room, she seems to be at the hub of virtually everything else.  Her room is literally surrounded by doors {4 to be precise}, doors that not only slam but also lead to important places, such as the back yard, the basement, our room, and the kitchen. This is challenging because while she is a good sleeper, she has to actually fall asleep first.  And falling asleep while the big kids are running in and out or up and down or I am cooking in the kitchen is harder than it might seem for a socially aware child.  This is where a sound machine comes in.

Rather than a corporate application, individual sound machines are ideal for the situation described above.  The baby can tune out the intermittent noise the family makes and not only drift into a peaceful sleep, stay in a peaceful sleep.  This brings a certain peace of mind for stressed parents like myself who tend to feel hamstrung during nap time or at bed time.  There’s no reason not to live just because you’re trying to get the baby down to sleep.  White noise is a great resource for every parent if a small child.

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07
Mar 2013

5 Ways to Use Sound Masking

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People always want to know what I do- when I explain that I work for a sound masking company, they look at me as if I spoke in Chinese.  While most are actually familiar with white noise and sound machines, what they aren’t as sure about is the term “sound masking” and why or how they can be used effectively.  Sound masking is actually a great resource for so many applications.  From work distractions to baby and/or kid sleep issues to adult sleep disruptions to relaxation to sound therapy for sufferers of tinnitus, sound masking can be the answer.  Before I delve into these 5 specific applications, let’s examine what sound masking is.

Sound masking is the use of white noise to create speech privacy and/or combat unwanted noise.  There are two main ways to mask sound:

That said, here are 5 ways to take advantage of sound masking.

5 Ways to Use Sound Masking

Sound Therapy is great for tinnitis, and it also offers lots of sound options for other uses as well.

1. For work. The average worker (including you!) is distracted up to 2 hours every day.  This distraction usually comes in the form of conversational distraction.  Thus, an individual sound machine on your desk (or even this free online generator) is great for tuning out this kind of noise. Better yet, sound masking throughout the office space can provide this benefit to the entire office.

2. For sleep. This is one of my favorite ways to use white noise.  I hate lying in bed, listening to the wind howl or car doors slam on the street. Using a sound machine next to your bed will mask the annoying sounds from neighbors or street noise, helping you sleep better and stay asleep with fewer interruptions.

3. For kids. Sound machines can work wonders with kid’s sensitive sleep schedules. Maybe your children are sharing a room for the first time, or you want them to easily sleep through the noise of your dinner party. White noise can ensure good, uninterrupted sleep for your little ones, which means better sleep for you, too.

4. For relaxation. After a long day at work, you want to come home to relax and unwind, but a barking dog across the street is interrupting your reverie. You can relax to the sounds of nature found on many household sound machines. Enjoy the sound of the sea as you sit down to read a good book.

5. For tinnitus. Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus can be very distracting and uncomfortable. The irritation caused by tinnitus can be lessened though the use of sound therapy, letting you relax.

A sound machine can be your best friend when dealing with unwanted noise, whether it’s neighbors, chatty co-workers, or even ringing in your own ears.

 

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05
Mar 2013

5 Tips for Being More Productive

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Productivity is the quest of many, from moms with nursing babies to career-driven professionals- we’re all trying to get more out of days, though we have the same time as everyone else.  It may seem that everyone else is getting more done than you are, but that’s not always true.  Just googling productivity will yield lots of tips, indicative of the fact that most of us need a little help now and then.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but I thought these tips were unique in that they are not the typical ones usually cited online.  That said, here are 5 tips you should consider when trying to up your own productivity.

5 Tips for Productivity

  • The temperature – Temperature is a tricky one: too warm and you get irritated, sleepy, and possibly stinky workers; too cold and fingers get stiff.   It may seem impossible to achieve the “perfect” temp, but slightly cold seems to work for many.
  • The quality of light – If there is not enough light, you will struggle to work and read from the screen, with possible eye strain, so be sure to shed enough light on your work, even if it’s just with the addition of a lamp.
  • Proximity to others – Cubicles are great for maxing workers and space.  However, it’s not great for you, the worker.  Try to get space when you can, even if it’s booking a conference room, so you aren’t too distracted by each other and their noises.
  • Noise level –Too much noise, while common in every office, is incredibly distracting.  Workers like you are distracted more than 2 hours every day.  Thus, a solution is necessary.  Sound masking is an effective solution because the white noise allows the brain to tune out all of the other conversational distractions and office hullabaloo.  If a sound masking system isn’t an option, try a sound machine.
  • Quiet Time–  Sometimes we all need a little peace and quiet.  The same is true at work.  Many companies have a tech-free, quiet time designated for workers to have some down time to organize their thoughts, even their desks. There is no pressure to produce work at this time- the upside is that workers feel refreshed and are more likely to start the next day(s) rejuvenated.  You can set aside some time for yourself at the end of the day to get your affairs in order.

Hopefully these 5 tips will help get you out of your slump and onto more productive days.

 

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26
Feb 2013

The Cost of Distractions & 2 Ways to Deal with Them

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The cost of distractions

Distractions are frustrating, and unfortunately, in addition to an emotional toll, they carry a business cost as well.  Let’s break it down:

This is a troublesome and very expensive problem for businesses that needs attention.  Distraction comes in many forms, and one of the most time- and profit- sucking means is conversational distraction.  That may be surprising, as most think of internet shenanigans as the culprit.  The internet does rank, but most people seem to manage to multitask and still get something done.  However, co-worker conversations tend to catch our attention to the point we quit working, whether we mean to or not.

Thus, it’s important to find a way to effectively deal with office chatter.

2 Tips for Avoiding Distraction at Work

It may seem that workers enjoy being distracted as part of making the day more fun or pass by more quickly.  Interestingly enough, most workers feel quite the opposite.  In fact, most workers report that distraction-free solo work is ideal.  Essentially, they just want time to do their work without interruptions.  And that’s because workers know that interruptions take time and mental energy.  Unfortunately, distraction-free solo time is pretty hard to come by in the office.  It might be time to consider taking your work time into your own hands and blocking some time for yourself and your work.

  • Time Block.  The basic idea is to cut away from all the turmoil in your office and devote a specific block of time to working on a project.  You set a start and stop time and during that period you focus on your work.  This means you shut down any unnecessary electronics and anything that rings.  You can do it, I promise.  With fewer (or no) distractions, you should be able to make some progress.

In reality, though, time blocking doesn’t work for everyone, nor can the user take advantage of it the entire work day as conference rooms aren’t always available or practical.  Another resource is necessary: sound machines, aka white noise machines.  This is a great tool for any worker at any time and in any place.

  • White noise machines.  By using white noise, you cover office distractions.  With a simple desktop generator, you can block out office noise and get to work because your mind is more focused.  You can hold a thought long enough to process it, and you aren’t drawn into unnecessary chatter.

Half the battle of reclaiming lost time at work is having a game plan.  By time blocking and covering noise, you allow your workers’ brains much needed-time to process and recalibrate.

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