When you work in an office, you may not have a lot of control over your environment. Unless you’re the boss, you probably don’t get even get to choose the location of your desk, much less the setup. There are a few changes you can make or suggest to help improve your focus, though.

Reduce Distractions

A busy office probably has a lot going on that can take your focus off the task at hand. Even small noises such as coworkers talking on the phone or typing on their keyboards can add up to a distracting din. While you can’t get rid of all noise, you can eliminate some of the unnecessary sounds. For example, you can suggest that noise reducing casters be added to all movable carts or equipment so that moving them doesn’t disrupt the workday.

Practice Minimalism

A cluttered desk can become an enemy to productivity. While it can be helpful to personalize your space, you don’t want so many knick-knacks and personal items that it’s hard to stay organized. Giving yourself adequate space to work is a great way to protect your focus and help you remain on task.

Work Remotely

It may seem counterintuitive to hear that not going to work can improve your focus on work. Many people, however, find working remotely effective for many reasons. When you work from home, you have more control over your environment, so you can eliminate most of the distractions you have in your office. Working from home also removes a lot of the obligatory, casual socializing that comes with being in an office so that you aren’t pulled away from your tasks by coworkers stopping by your desk to chat. 

There are several ways to get more done at work. You can improve your focus and thus your productivity by following a few simple tips.