Part 15: Working in an open office.
Oh yes, this one is a big one. I didn't realize it for some time, but had to learn the hard way how difficult this one is. There are a number of things that make this situation a difficult one to work in.
- Noise: I'm sensitive to noise, and there are particular noises that I have a lower tolerance level with. I've already mentioned previously that hearing the phone ringing constantly gave me anxiety. There's also the sensitivity to listening to people chew, and when you have a snacker nearby who decides to bring crisp carrots or apples (chips or plain cold cereal, too) all the time, it gets really irritating. There's also the noise of constant movement that can be stressful as well, particularly if someone is in a tense situation, and sensitive as I am to voice tones hearing them shout or snap at people (or me) along the way can disturb me.
- Constant movement and business: All of the senses are involved, but also the mood of the environment and emotional sensing. I know everything going on around me, both physically and emotionally, and it's all so much to take in. I can zone out to a point, but if it's too much going on at once, there's no way I'm going to be able to think clearly. My mind is busy to begin with, but with everything going on around me, it makes me feel like I'm the one running around trying to go-go-go, which stresses me out. I kind of feel like a spinning top about to tip over.
- Constant interruptions: It's often thought of that the ability to multi-task is a great skill, and I've learned how to do a little of it, but naturally I do my best working on one thing at a time. I'm a deep thinker, and I have super powers on focusing when I'm doing something. Other things sometimes get zoned out, because what I'm doing in the moment is where my attention goes. When other things, such as a phone call, or someone wanting to talk to me about something or other, it takes me out of that thought process, and it can take me several minutes to get back into that focus after that interruption. I kind of like to compared it to a zoom on a camera. I'm looking at an object and zoom into it for work, and when an interruption occurs, that zoom moves out so quickly that it nearly gives me motion sickness. Then I have to find my object again and slowly zoom in. If I get too many interruptions so that my zoom is constantly going in and out, in and out, it gets too stressful.
- Talking: I don't mind some friendly conversation, but there's a time that I need to sit down and work in some quiet. It gets a little much when you start hearing about people's personal lives, going into TMI territory. It really gets fun (sarcasm alert) when people start telling others about some really personal things that they don't want going around the office, but it ends up circulating anyway, because they reached the ears of someone who talks to everyone about anything. I sit back and think, Well, if you didn't want it to spread, you shouldn't be talking about it in open areas where people can overhear you. Seemed simple enough to me. Gossip can thrive in open offices. Not my kind of talk.
- No or little quiet space: The best times for developing ideas and getting things done for me are in quiet places and quiet times. Sometimes situations come up with family or personal that need that quiet time as well. When you don't want everyone to know every detail of your life, a place of privacy is really helpful, and when you have to be on the phone to address the issue, the noise can be extremely distracting. I've always had to locate the quietest corner in the building most accessible to me so that I could take a break from everything. I need my quiet time and space in order to keep sane, and who knows if that time spent was going to be enough, because someone's already looking for you to do something.
I'm glad to see these types of issues are beginning to be discussed, and perhaps one of the fortunate things I've noticed about last year is that employers have discovered alternative ways to work. For those who work better in those alternative ways it's been a blessing in disguise.
