Comments on: Guest Post: Working Through the Noise

By: becky @ misspriss

becky @ misspriss — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:12:50 +0000

I work from a coffee shop at least once or twice a week. If it gets too loud for me there, I just put in my headphones & listen to my iPod. I have a playlist that I use over & over, so it's just background at this point. Perfect for concentrating on writing.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:49:23 +0000

I have a desktop, so I've managed to avoid trying to work in a public place. I don't think I could. I'm one of those people who's always sure someone's going to sneak up and steal something when I'm not paying attention to my surroundings.

To avoid the feeling of isolation, I usually tune in a talk radio station (not ones with argumentative blowhards trying to spark controversy). I consider many of the on-air people - hosts, news, traffic, weather and even sports reporters - as my virtual co-worker.

Today I wish I could drown out the sound of the strong winds blowing things into the side of the house. Who knew autumn leaves could make such noise? I'm sure anyone else in the Great Lakes Region knows what I'm talking about today.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:51:48 +0000

Jake, the older I get, the more I'm turning into a cranky old man (er, woman) too. I'll take peace and quiet over hustle and bustle any day.

By: Jake P

Jake P — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:47:35 +0000

Back in my magazine days, I used to be able to handle everything the art department would subject us to. And lord knows that could be just about anything.

But on my own, I prefer what I've got right now: windows open and just the white noise of quails in the yard and distant airplanes. I manage it OK when the kids are home on various school breaks, and I can operate with the background noise in most wifi spots, but I'm far more productive flying solo. Yeah, it makes me feel old in the cranky old man, get-offa-my-lawn kind of way.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:18:20 +0000

Wendy, I don't like too much bustle either, especially if it's people I know. For some reason, strangers bother me less.

Cathy, I think I'd like working in an office like that!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:07:44 +0000

I'm with you there, Wendy. I had a boss when I was in Corporate America who told me walking into my office was like walking into a spa for a massage. 🙂

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:01:55 +0000

I work well with my rain forest and ocean wave meditation music. The music is light and the sounds of nature refreshes me.

I can't work with too much silence as it makes me think too much. I tend to think about things that end up worrying me which shoots my focus down the drain. I also can't work with hustle and bustle as they tend to tense me up, which also affects my focus.

I find the meditation music is the perfect balance for my needs. Some people find that it makes them sleepy, but It works well for me.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:45:33 +0000

Cathy, you're exactly right. Work can't come before family because people are just too important. Work will always be there, but children will grow up and parents will age, so we have to enjoy them while we can. I'm glad you're finding ways to make your career work around your mom!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:33:43 +0000

Ashley-one of the biggest adjustments I have had to make in the last year is going from working alone at home to moving in with my 87-year old mother.

My dad died a few years ago and I the real estate market didn't make it ideal for my Mom to move in with me. So, have laptop-will-travel, I moved into her home.

Love her a bunch, but I just can't seem to stop her from constantly interrupting my work. Going out to a Wi-Fi spot just isn't an option for me.

I have lots of string instruments CDs (which I've always used) so I plug them in to drown out the background noise. I am an early riser (around 5 am) and Mom doesn't get up until 7:30 or 8 am. So, I try to do most of my productive writing then (right after visiting Lori's blog). :-)

I constantly remind myself that I would be really sorry if I didn't have this time with my Mom so it puts it all in perspective. If WAHMs can do it, so can I. You can't put a price tag on family.

Enjoyed your post, Ashley!