I love the way a deadline helps focus my mind. Having a deadline enables me to plan my time and forces me to prioritize tasks – so I deliver my work to a high standard and on time.

My freelance work requires me to juggle several contracts simultaneously. Without deadlines, it would be virtually impossible to keep track of what needs to be done, and by when. I'd find myself making promises to clients that I couldn’t keep. And that would be very bad for my professional reputation.

Deadlines keep me on track and they allow me to prioritize, plan and perform well. And I'm not alone; anecdotal evidence suggests that most people like to work to clear and unambiguous deadlines. It helps everyone know what's expected of them and smooths the way for more effective teamwork.

Be Alive to the Downsides of Deadlines

The problem is, deadlines need managing. And when multiple deadlines clash, managing them effectively can become problematic. We hear people say they're juggling priorities or spinning plates when they're working on multiple projects at the same time.

Oh yes, we can see them doing their best to keep all their plates spinning, desperately going from one to the other to prevent a plate from smashing to the ground.

In reality, their plates are projects or pieces of work each with a deadline. A plate dropped is a failed project, missed deadline, or damaged reputation. Working like this may be manageable, or even motivational, in the short term. But long term it can become overwhelming and anxiety inducing, and result in poorer performance.

Rather than providing focus, having too many deadlines and unrealistic time frames often leads to no time to focus on the right things at the right time. We have to spend our time multitasking, doing "just enough" on each project to get by while taking extra time to manage everyone's expectations. It exhausts me just to think about it!

How to Make Deadlines Work for You

Love them or hate them, deadlines are here to stay, so it makes sense to make them work for us, not against us. Here's what I've found works for me:

1. Set realistic deadlines and, where possible, challenge/negotiate any that are unrealistic.
2. Plan what tasks need to be done and when, in order to meet the deadline.
3. Allow some contingency for unexpected interruptions or emergencies.
4. Communicate clearly to everyone impacted by your deadline.
5. Don't overcommit or allow others to impose deadlines on you.
6. Work smarter, not harder. Skipping meals, working late, and not taking rest will only work in the very short term.
7. As soon as it looks like you're not going to meet a deadline, take action. Reschedule, replan, renegotiate, and recommunicate.

Promises, Promises

How does it make you feel when someone breaks their promises to you at work? Let down? Upset? Angry? Disappointed? Yep, I hear you!

Failing to keep promises to colleagues or to our boss can seriously damage our workplace relationships. But from time to time, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves unable to keep the promises we've made. This happened to me recently and I really hated letting someone down at the last minute.

With the best of intentions, I'd overcommitted myself – only to find I couldn't possibly deliver on everything I'd promised, when I was expected to. I had no choice but to communicate the issue in the best way I could and explain that I needed more time.

I felt terrible; I beat myself up about it for hours. And I didn't like not being able to deliver on my promise and judged myself harshly as a result. The thing is, the person I'd "let down" didn't feel let down at all. Because I was able to communicate the issue clearly and in a timely manner, and offer a solution, they were very understanding and no harm was done.

I Promised to Learn These Lessons

There are two very important lessons here for me about making and breaking promises at work:

1. We're often our own harshest critics. As long as we act with good intentions and communicate respectfully, people generally understand that life happens and are open to forgiveness. After all, who hasn't missed a deadline or broken a promise at some time or another?
2. Broken promises every now and then are an inevitable part of working life. However, if we regularly break our promises to others, we'll be seen as unprofessional, untrustworthy and unreliable. When we approach our work and our deadlines by being organized, motivated, values-driven, and honest, people will trust that we did the best we could and will be willing to find workable solutions.

You may find the following articles helpful for reflecting on your own deadlines and promises. You'll need to be a Mind Tools Club or Corporate member to see all of the resources in full:

How to Meet a Deadline

Keeping Your Word at Work

Managing Conflicting Priorities

The post Deadlines and Promises – a Mind Tools Coaches' Blog appeared first on Mind Tools.

That's it, what to say about... Oh wait up, what's this? An email alert from the boss. Can't ignore that. And my phone just pinged me. And before you know it, an hour's gone by and this blog is going nowhere.

It's a problem we've likely all faced. It's difficult to give your attention to just one thing over the course of a working day. When did you last manage it? So many other nudges, notifications and essential updates jostle for your attention.

And that's just the work stuff. Add all the funny noises my phone makes, and a bad day can be a constant battle to concentrate on anything.

A Crisis of Focus

This is a relatively recent phenomenon. But it's getting worse. How much worse? Well, as Johann Hari is keen to explain in his book "Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention," the forces determined to attract and keep our attention are everywhere, and they're enormously powerful.

And we aren't doing enough to help ourselves. Sound like something from the "Matrix" movie franchise? It's not. "Stolen Focus" isn't a bunch of conspiracy theories. It’s based on many interviews with leading experts in everything from Big Tech to sleep deprivation.

And the picture they paint is a disturbing one.

The Battle for Attention

First, they really are out to get us. There are whole industries dedicated to grabbing our attention. They offer what we think of as rewards – bonus points, membership privileges, that sort of thing – and in return we give them our data.

Then they use that data to build complex profiles of us so that they can put adverts before us for things they know we want.

If that sounds sinister, consider what else behavioral scientists and data analysts can use that data for. They can predict not just what we might want to buy, but what we think about bigger issues. Even how we might vote. If they can predict something, they will likely try to influence it.

Sure, we can switch off our devices. We can lock them away. If we're lucky, we can escape to remote locations – as Hari does. But we're still susceptible. We're still experiencing something close to addiction.

How We Steal Our Own Focus

Second, we harm our own attention from the moment we get up. All too often we grab high-fat, high-sugar snacks rather than proper food. We expose ourselves to brain-damaging pollution daily.

When we do finally put aside the screens to go to bed, we can't sleep properly. So our brains are exhausted, and our ability to focus takes another knock.

Many of us also live in cultures that value the quick fix. So doctors prescribe vast quantities of drugs to treat ADHD, depression and sleeplessness, while leaving the root causes untouched.

In some cases, these causes are to do with innate psychological problems and brain chemistry. But for many people, maybe most, it's the environment in which they live that's the problem.

The Will to Change – and Why We Often Can't

There's another insidious factor at work, and again it's cultural. Hari calls it "cruel optimism." We all want to believe that we can change. That belief should be empowering.

But it's double-edged. If we fail to give up junk food, Twitter, or playing video games until 3 a.m., it's on us. Our willpower's the problem. Never mind that billions of dollars are spent every year trying to overcome that willpower.

Reclaiming Our Attention

It's a grim picture. So are there any positives? Well, we can take steps to change the way we behave as individuals, cruel optimism or not. Hari outlines them. And we can learn lessons from some societies that have taken steps to address this constant erosion of attention.

But Hari's main targets throughout are larger scale. They're industrial complexes and dysfunctional societies. And they will only change how they behave through collective action. Whether it's because customers or activists demand it, or governments enforce it, it'll still be a long-term battle.

"Stolen Focus" is a wake-up call. It deserves our attention – if we can spare it. Because the consequences of whole societies being in a state of distraction are dire. They certainly go beyond whether this blog gets finished or not.

So I'll definitely be turning off the laptop earlier, and spending more time with a good book. As soon as I've checked Twitter, obviously.

Listen to Our "Stolen Focus" Book Insight

We review the best new business books and the tested classics in our monthly Book Insights, available as text or as 15-minute audio recordings.

So, if you're a Mind Tools Club member or corporate user, listen to the "Stolen Focus" Book Insight now!

If you haven't already signed up, join the Mind Tools Club and gain access to our 2,400+ resources, including 390+ Book Insights. For corporate licensing, ask for a demo with one of our team.

About the Author

Simon has been researching, writing and editing non-fiction for over 30 years. In that time he's worked on educational courses, scientific journals, and mass-market trade books about everything from popular psychology to buying houses in Bulgaria. In the last 20 years he's specialized in simplifying complex subjects, and helping readers to learn new skills. Away from work he listens to good music, watches bad football, and is fascinated by medieval history.

The post Time to Focus on Our Dangerous Lack of Focus appeared first on Mind Tools.

Take the article I wrote yesterday. It should have taken me three hours or so. But I had all day to do it – and guess what? It took me all day to do it! A bit longer, in fact, as I was still tidying it up 15 minutes after I should have finished my working day.

Mixed Feelings About Multitasking

I suppose I didn't just write that article. I kept on top of my emails and instant messages throughout the day, did some research for several other projects, and planned a blog that's due next week.

And part of me thinks that switching between jobs like this makes me more productive, because it keeps me energized and on top of all my work.

But another part knows that I could have written that article in one go. If I'd given it my full attention, and only then moved on to other things, it may well have been more coherent as a result. And I'd likely have closed up my laptop on time.

Lessons From Expert Voices

Mind Tools Expert Voices is the podcast series where we explore our 200+ Expert Interviews, on the lookout for insights that are particularly relevant now.

In episode three, "Take Charge of Your Time," my colleague Rachel Salaman guides us through a range of strategies for using our days well, getting more done – and staying healthy and happy in the process.

In Charge of My Time

I've always had a fair bit of flexibility in my role, and I appreciate it – most of the time. I enjoy organizing my own writing and editing schedule for the day, and I'm pretty good at getting everything done and coordinating with my colleagues.

But recently – like many people – I've gained even more choices about how to organize my time. And it's made me look more closely at how well I'm really doing it.

A Flexible Future

Using lessons learned in lockdown, our company has recently adopted a flexible working policy, meaning that we all get to choose where we work from and, to a large extent, when we do it. It's great: we can plan our time to be as productive as possible. And we can integrate our work and life, so that they complement each other rather than cause conflict.

That's the idea, at least. However, for me, the first few weeks of the policy have shone light on some less-than-perfect time-management tactics.

So I think it's time to be honest with myself.

My "Switchtasking Syndrome"

If I've got all day – or longer – to get something done, why does it need to take that long? In the past, I've told myself that it gives me a better chance to be sure of my ideas, and time to keep tweaking my writing until it’s perfect.

But instead of continually pausing while I flit to other things, what if I just focused on one thing until it was done?

That would make scientific sense, says management expert Dave Crenshaw. "The brain is just not able to handle multiple active tasks at the same time," he explains.

Productivity guru Chris Bailey agrees. "Single tasking is one of the best ways, in the moment, to bring more attention to what's in front of you and not more time. Productivity is the process of working more deliberately and more intentionally." 

Time Management – Moment by Moment

According to Ashley Whillans from Harvard Business School, instead of energizing me, my task shifting may actually be opening up spaces for time to slip through. She recommends "… being more deliberate about small moments of free time that we often waste, the gaps in between meetings where we'll just answer emails as if they were urgent but maybe not pick up the phone and call a friend." 

Since I'm being honest, I'll admit that checking emails is sometimes just a delaying tactic – however much I tell myself that I'm coordinating or collaborating with my team. And when I'm switching between tasks, coffee always seems that bit more tempting!

Can I Be Flexible and Focused?

Maybe I'm valuing my new-found flexibility a bit too much, and not paying enough attention to the value of my time.

Being able to work when and where I want certainly helps to keep my stress levels low. But if I end up taking longer than necessary, and spreading my attention thinly, is flexible working really working for me?

One answer, according to podcast guest Patricia Walsh, is to look more to the bigger picture. A champion athlete – and blind since the age of 14 – Patricia maps her day-to-day tasks to her longer-term ambitions – the things that she's really passionate about achieving. That, she says, helps her to get through her To-Do List efficiently, because she can always see how those tasks are getting her closer to her most important goals.

And performance coach Andy Core is someone else who recommends staying "in the zone" rather than swapping between tasks. "Take one thing at a time," he says. "Plug it in – and don't give up and don't let yourself be distracted."

Maybe that's the way I should be energizing myself, rather than switching between tasks. As well as ensuring that I finish on time, it might also help me to push forward my longer-term goals. I love Andy's description of motivation being "just momentum in disguise."

Time to Break the Law?

Forward movement is all well and good, but we also need to know when to stop. Like me, Chris Bailey often fell foul of Parkinson's Law, until he experimented by working some 90-hour weeks, and some 20-hour ones. Although he felt much more productive putting in 90 hours, he found that he actually got only slightly more done than when he stopped at 20.

So, as excited as I am about flexible working in general, I've decided to start being a little less flexible about my use of time.

I'm still going to embrace the extra independence I've got to organize my day. But I'm going to "taskswitch" less, and stay "in the zone" more. And I'm going to use my long-term goals to spur me on through my To-Do List.

I'm hoping that this will help me to recalibrate the way I value time, and become more disciplined about when I switch off. I want to protect my time away from work – so that I'm fresher and more effective when I turn on my laptop again.

That's the plan, anyway. Whether I'll be able to stick to my good intentions... well, I guess only time will tell.

Listen to the Latest Episode of Mind Tools Expert Voices

Mind Tools Club Members and Corporate Licensees can listen to the full Expert Voices podcast now.

If you’re not a Mind Tools member, you can join the Mind Tools Club and gain access to our 2,400+ resources, including a range of audio features. For corporate licensing, ask for a demo with one of our team.

Taking Charge of Your Time: Have Your Say!

How well do you use your time? Can you accomplish what you need to, and want to, every day? Is it helpful to have more choices now – or is it harder than ever to make the most of your time? Please find a moment to share your experiences, insights and tips, below.

The post Take Charge of Your Time – Mind Tools Expert Voices appeared first on Mind Tools.

One competitor’s mind is full of doubts and uncertainty. They are preoccupied with their fears of what lies ahead. All these distracting thoughts will almost certainly damage their performance.

In contrast, the other athlete is calm, focused and ready to go. Rather than dwelling on the "what if," they have chosen to focus on the task at hand. They know that they are ready and they are prepared to give it their best shot. They will likely perform better because they have a clear mind, free of distractions.

The difference between the two individuals is where they choose to direct their attention. Thankfully, attention is a habit that anyone can adopt. The key is to select which thoughts you listen to and which ones you disregard. You can also regularly stop and ask yourself, "what am I paying attention to right now and is it helping or hindering me?"

"Starve your distractions. Feed your focus."

Unknown

Focus on the Sunny Side

During the past few months, with all the stress, fear and worry caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I have often struggled to concentrate. No matter how many strategies I put in place to avoid distractions, I couldn’t seem to get work done. No amount of asking myself "does it help or hinder?" was effective when I couldn’t drown out the worries in my mind.

So, rather than beat myself up for lacking focus, I acknowledged that we are living in exceptional circumstances. When times have been tough, I have chosen to pay attention to what is good in my life and be grateful for the simple things. I have chosen to focus on what I can control. This shift in attention helps me to move forward in a more positive and productive manner. It is progress, even if it isn’t perfection!

Attention and Focus

During our #MTtalk Twitter chat last Friday, we talked about attention and focus in a world of distractions. Here are the questions we asked and some of your most insightful responses:

Q1. What do you need to pay attention to – and how easy is that?

@_TomGReid Sustained leaders remain situationally aware. You notice everything and can immediately assess whether it is critical or noise-level. You pay attention to everything, but prioritize those that can move the needle.

@PG_pmp One needs to have focus and a "to do" attitude... it is easy if you love your work.

Q2. Do you think technology causes us to overuse our attention span? Why?

@WonderPix Tech can certainly help us tax our attention span... but even without it, our brains can quickly bounce back and forth between things.

@lg217 It can, depending on how the technology is used. Most people use technology to do certain tasks. Others use it as a distractor. It depends on the use.

Q3. How do you know if others are paying attention? What do you feel?

@TheCraigKaye Eye contact, paraverbals, body language, professional curiosity, inquisitive questions, smiles and nods, exploration.

@MaryEllenGrom When others pay attention you feel relevant, respected and valued.

Q4. What or who distracts you the most?

@Midgie_MT The accessibility of social media distracts me. Rather than simply pause, look out the window and then get back to what I was doing, it's easy to hop onto social media for that break and then find I've spent way too long there!

@VardhanPande It is my inner chatter which distracts me the most.

Q5. How do attention management and time management differ?

@MicheleDD_MT Attention is a combination of behaviors: mindfulness, presence, focus, flow. Time management is a set of tools.

@lsmurthy99 While similar to time management, attention management changes the focus of your time to how you are engaging.

Q6. How can you shift your attention between tasks without losing focus?

@aamir9769 Quite difficult until you're smart enough having skills to handle it. Keep a notepad, write down where you left off and what you were doing, and then move onto another task to carry out. Don't do 10 tasks at the same time, we are not robots. Accept only what you are able to digest.

@ColfaxInsurance Have relating tasks back-to-back so when you do switch it doesn't derail your productivity and you can continue working smoothly.

Q7. What role does self-discipline play in your ability to focus?

@JKatzaman Citing lack of discipline is just an excuse to give yourself a pass from responsibility.

@PmTwee Don’t know it is self-discipline or not, firm expectation should enable one’s ability to focus.  

Q8. What's your strategy for dealing with distractions?

@jasonbrewster My approaches to dealing with distractions: 1) Self compassion - we're human. It happens; 2) headphones in when I need focus time on a task; 3) contract about your response times to different messaging types - email I’ll reply in a few days, messages same day.

@letusthink2 Do not multi-task...that becomes your biggest distraction. Focus on one task at a time.

Q9. What/who should you pay less attention to/focus on less?

@saikatsaha I should pay less attention to anything that is not part of my present moment. Everything apart from this tweet chat is less worthy of my attention presently.

@Yolande_MT  Don't focus on what you don't want - you'll get more of it.

Q10. What could you achieve if you could focus on the right things?

@DhongdeSupriya Could identify first what are those right things, and then enjoy the focus.

@carriemaslen What a great question to print out and put on my monitor as a constant reminder!

To read all the tweets, have a look at the Wakelet collection of this chat over here.

Coming Up

Many people find it difficult to pay attention to what's important NOW. However, circumstances sometimes force us to do it. For our next #MTtalk, we're going to discuss salvaging your career after COVID-19.

In our poll this week, we'd like to know what worries you most when you think about salvaging or re-building your career? To see the poll and cast your vote, please click here.

Resources

In the meantime, here are some resources relating to attention and focus that we discussed on Friday. Note: some of the resources below may only be available in full to members of the Mind Tools Club.

Minimizing Distractions

In Flow

Managing a Person With ADHD

Effective Scheduling

How to Get More Done in Less Time

Is This a Morning Task?

Perfectionism

The post Attention and Focus – #MTtalk Roundup appeared first on Mind Tools.

If so, then you've done more than just try to solve a particular bit of stagecraft. You've taken a step toward understanding some of the mysteries of the human brain itself – in the company of an expert.

The Psychology of Learning – Revealed!

It may be carefully concealed, but the psychology of learning is an essential aspect of the magician's art. It's more important than their props, their assistants, even the physical skills they develop over decades. A sharp understanding of thinking and learning is crucial to every trick they do.

So we shouldn't be surprised that psychologists are now probing beyond the smoke and mirrors, to "learn about learning" from these masters of magic and the human mind.

In the process, they're revealing secrets that can help us all to use our brains better, and showing how we can add an extra bit of sparkle to everything we do.

Watch Carefully…

Even simple conjuring tricks can teach us about thinking and learning. Here's one of my favorites.

I show you the Ace of Spades and place it on the top of my deck of cards. I explain that scientists believe the design of the Ace of Spades makes it behave oddly, and that we're going to put this theory to the test.

Then I lift the top card again and clearly place it on the bottom of the deck.

The Ace of Spades, I say, can sometimes defy gravity. I click my fingers, turn over the deck – and show you that the bottom card is no longer the Ace of Spades.

And when I check the top card… there's the Ace of Spades again, mysteriously risen from the bottom to the top!

Yes, I'll tell you how I did it shortly, and you can learn this effect, too. But first, let me explain why tricks like this are helping to advance the psychology of learning itself.

Magic and Science

As long ago as the 1800s, pioneers of psychology were using magic in their work. They'd realized that, for centuries, magicians had been using psychology to control people's thinking. They decided it was worth discovering how.

Magic has been a rich resource for research ever since. Magicians alter visual processing with optical illusions. They use false logic to affect volunteers' decision-making. Even the most natural-looking movement of a hand can have a powerful psychological effect.

Sleight-of-hand experts know, for example, that our eyes look wherever they look. And they rely on the brain's instinct to watch moving objects (often missing more important things in the process). In many ways, they know our minds better than we do!

Recently, the research has gathered pace, and it's become more sophisticated. As scientist/magician Matthew L. Tompkins shows, in "The Spectacle of Illusion," psychologists are now using magic to understand more about processes such as observation, decision making, and belief forming.

And they're especially interested in what magicians have to teach us about how we think and learn.

The Psychology of Learning: 4 Principles from Magic

A Frontiers in Psychology article highlighted four principles that are particularly relevant for all the learning we need – and want – to do. Let's look at them in turn, along with ways that you can use these secrets of the magicians to your advantage.

1. Naturalness

Most of the time, magicians need everything they do to seem perfectly normal. You don't notice the coin hidden in their palm, or the watch they put in their pocket when they're reaching in for their phone, because their practiced movements are fluid and natural.

Of course, the trick usually ends with something very unnatural happening. That certainly gets your attention and sticks in your memory!

We can use this principle when we're learning. Banish boring, forgettable notes, and instead make them unusual and eye-catching. Use imaginative memory techniques, based on extraordinary images and ideas.

And when you want others to remember what you write or say, that's also a good time to include a few surprising, extraordinary touches, for attention, engagement, and lasting impact.

2. Clarity

Despite being known for confusing us, magicians actually work very hard to be clear and precise. If you're going to be amazed that your card has changed, for example, you need to recall what it was in the first place!

Magicians go to great pains to use their words and actions to guide you through what's happening, to understand it (their version of it, at least!), and to remember it. Much of Harry Houdini's act involved him explaining himself and his plans to the crowd in intricate detail.

You can benefit from this approach, too, by investing time in understanding and simplifying any material you need to learn. And when you're presenting information to others, check it's well organized, sensibly paced, and expressed in a way that's crystal clear.

3. Focus

Magicians know how to control what you focus on. They get you to look at certain things, and to overlook others.

When they point, we can’t help but look that way. If they wheel on a prop from stage left, we'll likely miss what's happening stage right.

And a magician's words can also be remarkably diverting. When they describe what's happening, vividly and with confidence, it can be a struggle to focus on the reality before our eyes. For instance, a skilled magician can easily count out five $50 notes, when he's actually holding two (or 20)!

So don't try to learn when you're unfocused. Be alert to distractions, and do your best to remove them. And remember that others won't properly understand and remember what you're telling them if their focus is elsewhere.

4. Inference

Magicians need us to infer certain key details – and to get them wrong. The hand holding the coin goes into the pocket and comes out looking empty, so the coin's now in the pocket, right? The matchbox rattles, so surely it must be full of matches?

Magicians lead us to believe we've got reliable information from our senses, then show us just how bad our perceptions can be.

In a recent study, led by researchers from the University of Oxford, volunteers were shown films of a magician making objects vanish. In the final video, the magician pretended to show an object – which then "vanished." And, despite there being nothing there to vanish, 32 percent of viewers said they were sure they'd seen it before it disappeared!

So, question your assumptions, and challenge your expectations, to keep yourself open to possibilities – and less likely to be mistaken, or even fooled.

The Anti-Gravity Ace

Most magic tricks have a very simple explanation. In the one I showed you earlier, the secret move happened at the very start. I simply held two cards together, as if there was just one.

You saw the Ace of Spades, but you didn't see the card behind it.

I acted naturally, putting both cards, as one, onto the deck, so that the Ace of Spades was actually the second card from the top. When I repeated its name, that helped you remember it. And I clearly explained everything else I did from then on.

I got you to infer that the Ace was now on the bottom of the deck. There was some pseudoscience about gravity to distract your thinking, and edge you toward believing the impossible. I even clicked my fingers to disrupt your focus and break your train of thought.

Finally, I recapped what had happened, and why it was magical – helping to create a lasting memory of a mini miracle!

Perform Like a Pro

It's with tricks like this that magicians take control – briefly – of the way we experience, understand and remember events. The rest of the time, we can copy some of their best psychological tricks, and start thinking and learning better.

We need to do everything we can to focus. Avoid assumptions. Question all the information we receive. Stay open to a range of possible explanations – however naturally and confidently someone might be telling us the way things "are."

Magicians show us the impact of communicating with clarity, to help others follow our train of thought and remember our message.

And they can even inspire us to find our own techniques for amusing and amazing the people around us.

That way, we can use the psychology of learning to give more of our interactions that delightful, magical touch!

The post The Psychology of Learning - Secrets of the Magicians! appeared first on Mind Tools.

"Are you kidding? It’s a classic."

"I don’t care, it’s been on FIVE times today already!"

At this point I look away and put my headphones on. Partly to drown out the commotion, but also because I can't stand that song, either. I want to listen to my own music.

I hate working in silence. Always have. I find it distracting listening to people tapping away at their keyboards, or slurping their coffee. Music helps me to get "in the zone."

But could music at work be detrimental to effective teamwork? When I put on my headphones to avoid distraction, am I also avoiding opportunities to collaborate with my colleagues?

Improve Your Office Morale With Music

Music can make the dullest of workspaces feel more warm and welcoming, and it can prompt lively discussion in the office! One co-worker might reminisce about the days of "proper songs," while another pokes fun at his old-fashioned taste.

But what happens when someone keeps putting on the same terrible tunes, or when people begin to avoid certain areas of the office because they find the noise too disruptive?

Is the answer to ban it completely? Perhaps, but no one wants to be known as the "music police." Maybe you just pipe in background songs that can help to lighten the mood without distracting anyone. Chances are, some people will still grumble, so is there an easier way?

Headphones at Work: Yes or No?

One option is to use headphones. No two people are the same, and that goes for their taste in music, too. By using headphones, you can keep yourself happy and motivated without subjecting your colleagues to unwanted noise.

But many bosses don't like headphones. And business journalist Anne Kraemer believes that wearing headphones creates isolation within the workplace, and minimizes career opportunities.

I myself am guilty of increasing the volume on my computer to higher than is strictly necessary. As a result it can be hard for co-workers to get my attention, and even harder for me to recognize when there's an important conversation going on that could benefit from my input.

However, solitude at work isn't always a bad thing. Consider the number of times you just needed a couple hours of deep work, only to be interrupted by colleagues or other distractions. Headphones have become common code for "I'm busy." This simple signal is all your co-workers need to know that you shouldn't be disturbed, because you're "in flow."

Do Employees Work Better With Music?

People may claim that tunes help them to focus, but where's the proof?

Thankfully for music advocates, the facts are in their favor. Studies show that music can improve performance for nine out of 10 workers. It has the ability to evoke strong emotions, which have been proven to stimulate and engage employees. This same research has also shown that certain songs can help to suppress those emotions that damage productivity, such as anxiety and stress.

Some research has even suggested that we should be tailoring our song choices to the type of work we're doing. For example, classical music reportedly improves accuracy when working with numbers, while dance music can speed up proofreading by 20 percent.

Music in the Office

The benefits of music on productivity and morale are seemingly undeniable. But what the data doesn't address is how we should bring it into the workplace. It can be tricky to tread the line between boosting employee performance, and creating a room full of uncommunicative, detached individuals.

The key is to assess the needs of your employees. Does there need to be a constant flow of ideas between colleagues? If so, perhaps headphones are a bad fit for your office culture. Or, do some people struggle to put their heads down and focus, because the hubbub of an open-plan office is too distracting?

I believe that there is a place for music in the workspace, and I certainly don't intend to ditch my tunes altogether. But maybe I'll make an effort to lower the volume.

Do you work better with music, or do you prefer the sound of silence? Let us know your thoughts on music at work in the comments section, below.

The post Should You Play Music at Work? appeared first on Mind Tools.

In fact, this holiday season has proved so sociable and agreeable that actually getting on with any work has proved to be something of an inconvenience. But I'd argue that a few days of office mirth and the collective letting down of our hair makes for a happier and more productive team overall.

You might expect the company "big wigs" to be all Scrooge-like, roaming the corridors and muttering, "Bah, humbug!" But enough people witnessed them "getting their groove on" at the company party to suggest that bosses, too, probably let their thoughts drift to holiday fun even when on the clock.

So, the question we asked you was: How do you stay focused and motivated at work during the holiday season?

Here is a selection of the #mindtooltips we received from our followers and friends on Twitter and Facebook:

Dr Ambreen ZamanRiaz @amby920 opted for a little visual help to remind her what was important. She said: "Put motivating pictures on fridge, toilet mirror and rearview mirror as reminders to follow your dreams and goals." It was a tip echoed by Neila Steele @neilasteele, who said: 'Mentally workout with visualization, post photos of inspiration + flood your mind with visions of success."

Kris Giere @KrisGiere offered: "Stay connected to your sense of purpose through daily reflections, so the holidays do not overrun your thinking." MonicaDB @Monica_DBehague is a level-headed person. She said: "I will be reading my textbooks and keep up with headlines nonetheless."

Joanne Wilshin @PriscillaAnew came up with a slightly cryptic nugget of advice. She said: "I set my intention, then I allow it all to unfold. #TheHappinessPath."

Jon Hochstat @JHochstat had another contemplative approach. His simple tip was: "Meditation on the beach at sunset." I suspect it was just an excuse to show off the beautiful spot he has found to meditate! He sent us a photo of where he finds his inner peace, which you can see below. Lucky chap!

On Facebook, Shad Drury believes people should take their cue from their managers and leaders. He said: "While it is understandable for employees to wind down and settle into a more relaxed atmosphere with the holidays approaching, the company and its leadership set the tone.

"Expectations must be put in place to create and maintain a level of responsibility and accountability so that people don't lose focus during times such as these. It needs to be communicated to your staff what the goals are and the best ways to balance the extra energy or a lack thereof that this time of year may have on people.

"Overall, perhaps, the best strategy is to keep things fun for everyone involved and be sure to not only celebrate the holidays but to celebrate each other as well. Happy Holidays!"

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussion. And we at Mind Tools join Shad in wishing you all the very best wishes for the holiday season!

The post Getting Into the Christmas Spirit! appeared first on Mind Tools.