Trying to concentrate in a noisy environment can be a very difficult task. Whether it’s chatty co-workers, loud machine noises, or a neighbor who insists on having long conference calls on speaker phone, noisy distractions can have a significant negative effect on your productivity. However, there are some simple methods that can help you deal with the noise and focus on your work.

#1. White Noise Machine – A white noise machine generates a sound that is random but soothing like running water or wind. It is capable of blocking out distracting noises. Use of a white noise machine is also dependent on the policies of your office. Another option that can produce a similar effect is to run a small fan on your desktop. If the fan is noisy enough, it can also block out distracting noises.

#2. Listen to Music – Depending on the policies of your office, you may be able to listen to music with headphones while you are working. If this is the case, then you can easily block out unwanted noise. The potential downside is that you may block out all noise and not be able to hear the things you need to hear to effectively do your job.