M0007.001 - Structured Workspace
Structured Workspace
- Organizing your physical environment in a way that optimizes distractions and supports focus and productivity.
- It costs mental energy to see something interesting and choose not to investigate/interact with it. By removing or optimizing distractions in your physical environment, you reduce the cognitive load required to refocus attention.
- A structured workspace typically involves clear organization, with designated areas for different tasks or materials, helping reduce visual clutter and decision fatigue.
- This environment can be tailored to individual preferences, with tools and resources easily accessible to minimize the risk of distractions caused by searching for items.
- Regular maintenance and adjustments ensure the workspace continues to meet evolving needs and preferences, balancing utility and comfort.
Examples
- Designated Zones: Creating specific areas for different activities, such as:
- A desk for work or studying.
- A separate spot for relaxation or hobbies.
- A shelf or cabinet for reference materials.
- Decluttering: Removing unnecessary items from the workspace to reduce distractions and create a cleaner, more focused environment.
- Example: Clearing your desk of unrelated items like unread magazines or loose papers while working on a specific project.
- Visual Organization: Using labels, bins, or color-coded systems to keep materials organized and easy to find.
- Example: Separating office supplies into labeled bins (e.g., “Pens,” “Paper Clips,” “Sticky Notes”) to streamline retrieval and reduce clutter.
- Accessibility of Tools: Ensuring that all the tools, materials, and resources you need for your tasks are within easy reach and reduce the likelihood of getting distracted while retrieving them.
- Example: Setting up a supply caddy with everything needed for a task, such as pens, notebooks, chargers, or reference books, to minimize interruptions.
- Lighting and Ergonomics: Adjusting lighting, seating, and desk height to create a comfortable and functional environment that minimizes strain.
Discussion
Structured Workspace lays the foundation for efficient and distraction-free work by ensuring that tools and materials are readily accessible, reducing the likelihood of interruptions caused by searching for items.
This mitigation complements stimulation management and sensory dampening, helping to balance sensory input for focus. Visible task lists and reminders ensure that objectives remain clear, while timers support structured work intervals for task execution and energy management.
Additionally, incorporating reminders for planned rest ensures that the workspace promotes sustainable productivity. Regular upkeep of the workspace ensures it adapts to changing needs, providing a consistent environment for focused and effective work.
Sub- and Co-Mitigations
| Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|
| M0002 - Structured Work Intervals | Structured work intervals like the Pomodoro technique harbor focused work in timed intervals with short periods of focused break. |
| M0006.002 - Timers | Using timers to better understand the time it takes to accomplish a task or for a sense of timed urgency on a task. |
| M0007 - Stimulation Management | Reduces or moderates external interruptions or stimuli to improve focus and productivity. |
| M0007.002 - Sensory Dampening | Using ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones, sleep masks, etc., to block out ambient stimulus to maintain concentration. |
| M0011 - Planned Rest | Planning periods of low-distraction to encourage background mental processing and recovery. |
| M0014.001 - Task Lists | Structured lists of tasks that need to be completed to accomplish a goal. |
| M0018.001 - CBT-I | A structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help people with chronic insomnia. |
Expressions
| Expression | Description |
|---|---|
| EX0003 - Task-Switching Distractibility | The likelihood when switching tasks to become distracted by another stimulus. |
| EX0015 - Dissociation | A disconnection from the present moment, environment, or one’s own sense of self |