The Open Office Survival Guide

Overview

Open offices are factories of distraction. You aren't working; you are reacting to noise.

Definition

Auditory Anchoring is the practice of using soundscapes to create a 'cognitive wall' when physical walls are absent.

The Science

Irrelevant Speech Effect

Intelligible speech competes with the phonological loop, lowering IQ by up to 15 points.

The Practice

The Headphones Rule

1. Signal: Large headphones are a DND sign.
2. Soundtrack: White noise or video game music (no lyrics).
3. Blinders: Block peripheral movement.

Common Pitfalls

• Being too nice and removing headphones constantly.
• Listening to lyrical music.

Key Takeaway

You cannot control the noise, but you can control your reception of it.