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Ugly Productivity: 5 Steps to a Distraction-free Workspace

This is a guest post by Skellie, author of Skelliewag.org.

“… My study is so ugly, it leaves me no option but to try to forget about it by escaping into my work. There’s no more incentive to sit around admiring the externals of the writing life. My eyes are firmly on the computer screen. Beauty may be conducive to happiness, but it seems that a calculated dose of ugliness can do wonders for productivity.” - Best-selling author, Alain de Botton

I’m sure many of us can relate to this quote, or at least, to the distractions of beauty. A gorgeous workspace with a view invites longing glances at a sun-drenched lawn, a lingering visual tour across the spines of our book collection, and excessive fiddling with the trinkets and toys co-habiting our desk.

We put time and effort into making our workspace a nice place to be without realizing that most of what we add will serve only one purpose: to make procrastination easier.

Simplifying your workspace can help boost productivity by removing distractions.

1. Keep the light, lose the view. Natural light is essential to any healthy workspace, but an interesting view will have you staring blankly into the garden or out onto the street when work gets tough. During work-time, your computer screen should be the most interesting place you can look. During your breaks, however, a trip outside or a peek out of an open window can help reinvigorate you.

2. Move books into another room. In moments where our concentration is broken it can be tempting to reach up into a bookshelf and start thumbing through a book. Unless you need them for your work, it could be a good idea to remove books or magazines, and in doing so, remove the distraction.

3. Keep your desk focused. A productive desk contains the items and resources you need to complete your current task within arm’s reach. Photos, toys, figurines and other items can make our desks seem more homely, but also have the potential to trigger day-dreaming sessions and tinkering.

If you can’t bear to part with the items, consider placing them on a shelf behind where you sit. You’ll get the comfort of knowing they’re there without the visual distraction.

4. Minimize digital distractions. If your work doesn’t require connectivity, disconnect the internet while you work. You can reward yourself with some browsing during break-time. If games are a distraction for you, consider uninstalling them. If you have more than one computer, save one for work only, and use another for fun stuff.

5. Simplify decorations. My workspace — also my bedroom — used to contain one wall covered in a collage of photos. It was the wall behind my desk, and the time I spent poring over the images when I was supposed to be working began to eat into my productivity. I’ve since taken down the collage and have found I actually like the clean, uncluttered look better. I’d also much rather look at my computer screen than a blank wall!

You probably won’t have a collage, but you might have ornaments, paintings, wall-hangings and other decorations that prove to be visual distractions when you’re feeling uninspired. Consider simplifying down to one or two decorations, preferably out of your immediate field of view.

You may even find there’s a certain beauty to be found in your workspace’s new simplicity.

If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

See also:

Ugly Productivity: 5 Steps to a Distraction-free Workspace

This is a guest post by Skellie, author of Skelliewag.org.

“… My study is so ugly, it leaves me no option but to try to forget about it by escaping into my work. There’s no more incentive to sit around admiring the externals of the writing life. My eyes are firmly on the computer screen. Beauty may be conducive to happiness, but it seems that a calculated dose of ugliness can do wonders for productivity.” - Best-selling author, Alain de Botton

We put time and effort into making our workspace a nice place to be without realizing that most of what we add will serve only one purpose: to make procrastination easier.

Simplifying your workspace can help boost productivity by removing distractions.

If you can’t bear to part with the items, consider placing them on a shelf behind where you sit. You’ll get the comfort of knowing they’re there without the visual distraction.

You may even find there’s a certain beauty to be found in your workspace’s new simplicity.

If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

See also:

Posted on 25 October 2007 in Productivity & Organization, Simplicity |
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Comments (24)

Productivity Blog Says:

October 25th, 2007, 6:39 am

Excellent article. I really agree with the idea of having your desk cleared from toys and stuff that you currently do not need. What I am against is that, I normally find it more productive to have artificial light rather than natural light. First of all natural light is not always avaiable, that is, if you like to work during the night, then there is no natural light :) Also natural light tends to remind me of what time is it. When I am working I like to get immersed in what I am doing without having to look at the time. Looking at the time makes you panic or else want to take a break.

Keep up the good work ;) Excellent post!

Adnan Says:

October 25th, 2007, 6:48 am

Awesome guest post Skellie! The digital distractions part is the one that gets me all the time. It’s hard not to keep loading up your email/feedreader!

Tom Says:

October 25th, 2007, 7:24 am

Completely agree with everything in this post. I had exactly this problem as work. I put all my books in a draw, downgraded from two monitors to One and turned off email alerts.
I’m now far more productive and concentrate for longer periods of time.

Webdrops Says:

October 25th, 2007, 7:47 am

Must say this is an very well drafted post… and I agree to almost all the points laid down here… I really liked taking off the photos and painting idea… yes!! sometimes these things definitely distract my attention. Also I agree to the point… that our computer screen should be the most interesting place to look at to stay productive. Excellent work~!~

JP Says:

October 25th, 2007, 8:04 am

Step #1 is some of the worst advice I’ve heard in a long time! If the view of the world outside is distracting you from work, then you have much bigger problems than “too much beauty”. Your lack of productivity is internal. Figure out where the true problem lies. If you really loved your work, a passing butterfly would only add to your life, not take away from it.

I love most of your articles, but I’m afraid you’ve missed the target on this one. IMHO

Theo Geer Says:

October 25th, 2007, 9:15 am

I’m not sure I can agree with this, at least not from all perspectives.

In some respects, totally. Decluttering and getting rid of Distractions will help you focus on work. That said, putting yourself in an un-aesthetic environment is not always good for productivity or quality in your work.

For me, an Aesthetically pleasing environment improves the quality of my work dramatically. A place where I am comfortable, and surrounded by things that I love, things that put me in the mood to be creative, is far preferable to a spartan workspace.

That said, there are tricks that can be done to make both happy. One of the things I do is set my computer environment to look pretty. I put backgrounds on the desktop that I like to look at, that relax me, or make me interested in what I’m doing.

Something else to consider, productivity isn’t always the most important thing. As a writer, I believe in encouraging my natural process. Sometimes that means staring blankly out the window for 30 minutes while my mind sorts through things. Sometimes that means listening to loud music, or singing, before I write. Often it means distracting myself with shiny things so the writer in me can come out to play.

I agree with keeping a tidy workspace, but don’t take it to the extreme. Trust your own instincts on this. If you feel you need some of your favorite books where you can page through them, keep them there. (For the record, I have Siddhartha, The Art of War, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and Oh My Gods! year 1 on my desk at work at all times)

Katie Says:

October 25th, 2007, 10:20 am

Recently I set up two user accounts on my computer. One is for my off-work hours, and let me get to all my favorite RSS feeds, podcasts, personal email, etc. The other is for at work and uses a firefox extension (LeechBlock) to block all the sites that are really distracting for me. It also has different things in the dock and a different background, as well as my work email, etc.. I work at home and I have found this is great because it 1) Helps me focus when I’m working and 2) Helps me relax and not worry about work when I’m not working.

Brenna Says:

October 25th, 2007, 11:13 am

I am terrible with books. I always pick up books while I am working. It can distract me for more then a hour then. The problem is that books are in my bedroom and I work in my bedroom. Any ideas anyone? I have to work in the room. There is no other space.

Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:

October 25th, 2007, 11:22 am

Great post, Skellie! One thing that really works for me is a tip I came across while reading How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie. Among other things, he speaks about clearing your desk of all material/clutter except that which relates directly to the work at hand. If it doesn’t need to be there, it shouldn’t be there!

(http://www.amazon.com/dp/0749307234/?tag=varsblah-20)

Silver Says:

October 25th, 2007, 11:40 am

I have to agree with JP on this one, I’ve never found beautiful surroundings to be a distraction. In fact, I find I’m more productive when I have a beautiful view. It adds to inspiration.

Lock me in a room with a big window that lets in lots of natural light but looks out over a barren wasteland? Uh-uh..

If loss of beautiful surroundings is the price we have to pay for productivity, I’m not paying it LOL!

sandspiral Says:

October 25th, 2007, 12:14 pm

@Brenna: How about installing a curtain rod across the top front edge of your bookshelf, then finding some nice curtains to hang there? Your books will be out of sight when you don’t want distractions, but instantly available with the flick of a curtain. I did this with a shoe rack in the hallway once . . . for different reasons, but it worked well.

In general: Good thoughts, Skellie, but I have to agree with the people who say that beauty is not a distraction, and actually contributes to productivity. I abhor clutter, but I also don’t like spaces to be so utilitarian that they feel cold and uninviting. I think we have to each find our own balance with this. Mine, for instance, tends toward “simple is beautiful” without crossing the line into asceticism–I need a few beautiful and/or personally meaningful objects around to “warm up” my workspace but not very many, so that I don’t lose the sense of clarity and focus I need to be productive.

Other people I know would be absolutely hamstrung by a work environment like mine. They seem to NEED their “stuff” around them to function. I could never do this, but it’s not wrong–it’s simply not “me.” There is no right answer for everyone.

But Skellie, your points are well taken, and will be very helpful to many–as some of the comments already show. ;-)

-sandspiral

lukeprog Says:

October 25th, 2007, 14:36 pm

Leo,

On my post, 100 Free Motivational Posters, I criticized you and other bloggers for listing every possible piece of advice, rather than “what works”, along with advice on when to use it and when not to use it.

You clarified, saying that you only post what has worked for YOU.

First, I love your blog. One of the best out there. And I was honored to have a blogging superstar notice my pathetic site.

Second, you are great at showing respect amidst criticism. You practice what you preach in “How to Accept Criticism with Grace and Appreciation.” That is impressive.

Third, I do think your selection of advice is better than most. Now I suspect that’s because you’ve actually TRIED the advice you give.

One focus of my blog is the critical evaluation and careful application of advice, because you and others have the DISPENSING of advice covered pretty well.

That’s why I say readers should “be wary” of tip-list blogs, and learn skills like critical thinking to help them evaluate the monstrous piles of advice out there, published every single day.

But anyway, thanks for clarifying. Even if say readers should “be wary” of your blog, I still think they should read it if they have the time!

Keep up the good work.

Online Classifieds Says:

October 25th, 2007, 21:46 pm

Did I see an ipod in the picture above? No digital distraction for sure.

Also I find it useful to cover the LEDs of any modems, routers that might be on the table. Any blinking or moving lights are distracting.

Just my input.

Skellie Says:

October 25th, 2007, 21:51 pm

Hi all, I appreciate the feedback.

I think some people missed that the article is a guest-post and not Leo’s own work. These steps are what have worked for me and may or may not be Leo’s own preference, but I know he is interested in giving voice to a diversity of opinions and ideas at ZenHabits :) I did have an inkling this post might be a little controversial.

I’d also like to respond to the charge that the article suggests making your surrounds ugly. The title is taken from the author’s quote, who said that ugliness has helped him work.

However, the tips in the article focus on creating a simple, distraction-free workspace. It doesn’t state that you should deliberately make your room ugly. A room can still be a pleasant place to be without bay windows looking out on to a green lawn (and not everyone has that luxury).

In essence, what I want to suggest is that there is a certain beauty in a clean, uncluttered, simple and well-lit room containing everything you need to work. I’m not suggesting that you take steps to make your room ugly (in fact, I sense the ugliness would become a distraction), but that you might begin to see the beauty in a simple and focused workspace.

Alfa Says:

October 26th, 2007, 2:38 am

I still need a view - a view that includes my bills. That would easily prevent me from getting distracted. :-)

jen_chan, writer SureFireWealth.com Says:

October 26th, 2007, 7:25 am

I recently did a little clean up of my work desk and realized how much clutter I have hanging around. Unnecessary clutter that is. I have a book shelf in my room and yet I keep a number of novels stacked up on my desk. I have little decorations that do nothing but litter the work place and distract me from concentrating. Unfortunately, the one thing I couldn’t get rid of were the photos. In fairness, I only have two frames there. :)

LisaS Says:

October 26th, 2007, 11:39 am

I’ve accidentally implemented a lot of these suggestions lately: recently I moved my business out of the dining room and into an office that I share with 2-3 other people. I have less space than I used to, no windows–the borrow lights have translucent glazing so there’s no view. I edited the books I brought along carefully to those most essential. For the first week we had no internet connection, and it was amazing how much we got done. (Alas, clients won’t let you get away with that indefinitely.)

While there is beauty in simplicity, these things are definitely individual: I’m much happier–and yes, more productive–now that I have my familiar posters and photos on the walls around my desk. When I’m feeling discouraged, I look up at the poster of Frank Lloyd Wright’s pencils and remember even the great ones had to go through what I am doing now.

Lipton Says:

October 27th, 2007, 0:21 am

I would love that setup :) at least I have that keyboard! hehehe

Leo Says:

October 28th, 2007, 4:20 am

@lukeprog: Thanks for the nice comment! I’m glad you like the blog and I’m glad that by communicating we’ve discovered we see eye-to-eye on the issue of trying advice before giving it. :)

Leo Says:

October 28th, 2007, 4:21 am

I’d also like to thank Skellie for the excellent guest post. Check out Skellie’s blog for some great articles on minimalism!

Karim Baz Says:

October 28th, 2007, 21:53 pm

Having a clean, organized desk can have tremendous results. The amount of work that can be done in comparison with a cluttered, messy desk is immeasurable. Great post~

– Karim Baz

Brandie Kajino Says:

October 29th, 2007, 3:37 am

Great post, and I agree. A couple things I would add is to make sure that when your eyes wander (and they will), that the place they wander too isn’t cluttered. You’ll just start thinking about how you need to “get to that” and lose concentration on what you are trying to get done. Also, don’t forget about paper, and not letting it accumulate on the desktop!

P.G. Smith Says:

October 29th, 2007, 13:48 pm

I’m the type of person who is easily distracted by stuff, so I agree with the idea of an uncluttered workplace. I did this at work, and I do feel more comfortable with it. I’ve always been a minimalist at heart, though and I understand not everyone is like that.
That said, it seems that most of the posts are from people who work from a home office, so here are some ideas for those trapped in a a busy office (cubicle farm) where there is a lot of background noise and other distractions:
-use earplugs
-use earphones (play the music that allows you to focus; I find instrumentals better than vocals)
-if possible, orient your computer to face a cubicle wall so that people walking by don’t distract you every five seconds
-set your email program so that it DOESN’T notify you every time a new mail comes in

That’s all I can think of for now.