Creating the right environment

[eeker]

I can't seem to concentrate on anything else when my house or office is a mess. I'll have to clean it before I can get anything else done. If I'm in the type of environment that is giving off the wrong vibe, I usually just want to get out of there. I try to create the right environment around me for every situation or location that I'm in.

How do you get around a messy or limiting environment and just learn to cope with it so that it doesn't impact on your concentration or life?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by eeker

How do you get around a messy or limiting environment and just learn to cope with it so that it doesn't impact on your concentration or life?

I have very little problem with that since I live "inside my head" and pride myself on not being a robot that is controlled by outside influences... and I also hold "self-mastery" in very high esteem and high on the list of personal values...

That is putting it harshly, I know, but those are "my" beliefs... they serve me well... and I do not try to impose them on anyone else...
.

[tylerlloyd]

I think it is very important to be operating in an optimal environment for whatever activity you are doing - but consider this:

Instead of always trying to 'create' these environments, see if there aren't already some out there for what you are trying to do. That is, to go to environments that are conducive to certain activities.

You want some peace and quiet so you can do some writing? Try your local library?

Want to get in shape? Forget the home gym, go to a real gym.

These are just a couple of examples - you know the elements that you need in your life. Also, taking some activities out of the house should help you keep it clean. If you don't get it messy in the first place you wouldn't have to clean it up

[John Hill]

Everything in your environment is constantly changing, that is the nature of the world we live in, constant change. One minute your house is clean, the next minute it is messy, same thing goes everytime you step outside and anywhere you decide to go to get some work done.

Try to take your focus off the external environment which you will never be in control of and focus on the internal and simply focus on what you can get done. Once you enjoy change the external environment becomes easier to deal with.

John

Attracting People.com

[opinestle]

I keep my home and my "office"(my desk in the living room....lol!)organized and clean.

But do you know what I love?Bright,colorful toys on the ground,and my son sitting beside me playing, while I am trying to get stuff done.I also love it when wonder pets is on in the background,along with the lingering smell of coffee in the air.That is my optimal work enviroment.

*I'm sorry, I am on a baby kick today.... *


To each his own,right?......lol



opinestle

[opinestle]

Originally Posted by eeker

How do you get around a messy or limiting environment and just learn to cope with it so that it doesn't impact on your concentration or life?

I've always been told that an unorganized work environment is really creative chaos.Not sure if that is just an excuse,though......



opinestle

[Ree]

My house goes untouched from one week to the next when the maid service visits, but I keep my bedroom neat and clean. It's my hiding place that I retreat to when I need to get away. It's done in pastel colors and sparsely furnished. My books are there, my music is there, I keep candles handy. And everyone knows when I'm in there, do not disturb.

So if you can carve out a little space just for yourself and keep it to your liking so that it's a place where you can escape to and be comfortable, that may solve your problem.

And when you go there, don't have mental pictures of the other rooms that may be a bit messy running through your head

[Kaybee]

I try to focus more on the task at hand instead of the environment. However, there are certain distractions I try to limit. For example, I limit music and noise when I'm working on a critical project that requires attention to detail.

Nonetheless, I have an organizational system that suits my needs and help me stay productive.

Kim
personal growth and inspiration

[ragtag]

I think environment is very important when you're trying to get things done. Like yesterday at work, I had a real bad headache at works (turns out I was coming down with a fever), there was a big band practicing just outside the window, some guys were renowating the floor below us (lots of hammering) and there was constant chattering...and I was supposed to be programming. It just didn't work. I couldn't focus.

I know it's different from person to person, but I need a quiet and clean environment to get things done, with as few distractions as possible.

[Chris Byrnes]

Hi!

I've heard that distractions are linked to learning styles. If you're primarily a visual person, you'll get distracted by visual mess, and if you're auditory you'll find 'sound' distractions impede your concentration.

My own experience would bear this out to a certain extent. My ex-girlfriend couldn't bear an untidy room, and would tidy it before she could so anything else. (OK I admit it - she'd tidy up after me, usually complaining). I don't like mess at all, but I can just block it out and get on with something. Again, if I'm honest with myself, tidying is more 'pain' to me than just ignoring it so I follow the path of least resistance.

However, she could learn (unbelievably!) with the TV on, but I can't! I can't stand noise when I'm trying to concentrate or learn.

Is it any wonder we split up ?

Having said that, I wonder if it's partially due to the idea that women can multitask better than men. I've heard that said on numerous occasions.

In reply to the OP, I wouldn't worry that you have to adapt to an environment that's not conducive to your study preferences, rather you should seek to make it the way you like it to get the job done.

If you don't like mess, then you shouldn't have to cope with it, rather, you should try to create an environment that is pleasing to you. Otherwise you'll just stress out more worrying how to cope with it, making concentration even more difficult.

We're all different, as ragtag says.

Chris

[EnduranceNinja]

I gotta say I like a somewhat clean organized enviroment. But something attracts me to people who have a organized chaos in their office or place of study. I just feel that person has so much going on his or her place cannot catch up to them. And when I think of genius at work I visualize someone in a cluttered messy place working hard. I don't know why. Maybe thats what I need for motivation to mess up my area look like I am on the brink of something great.