Workplace Tip: Keep Your Field of Vision Clear

This is one of those ‘duh’ things, but being a bit on the dim side, I’m a bit late in discovering this.

From the time I started doing GTD up until a couple of days ago, my in-basket on my desk at work was immediately to the left of my computer. So, if there was anything in it, I was constantly glancing over thinking “I should really process my in-basket” when the time wasn’t appropriate. I needed to actually be working. So, I made an executive decision and moved my in-basket to the other end of my desk where it won’t be invading my peripheral vision while I’m doing my work.

Since then, I’ve noticed a marked increase in my ability to focus and fewer instances of wandering eyes. It’s been marvelous

This would probably also be good advice for people with pictures of their families and other knick-knacks that flank their workspace. My kid is adorable, but having him smiling back at me from the cube wall isn’t conducive to churning out quality code. “The Zone” is the ultimate goal here (not the fad diet, the state in which time disappears and you’re totally immersed in whatever you’re working on).

If you find yourself glancing at the stuff piled up around your work that isn’t related to your work, try moving it somewhere where you can’t see it. It’s certainly benefited me…

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