Have you ever wished you had an easy way to signal when you need focused time versus when you're open for chatting? At Firehouse, we've instituted our own version of the brilliant "meat coaster" system used at Brazilian steakhouses.
Picture this: you're seated at a Brazilian steakhouse, and the waitstaff keeps bringing you plate after plate of succulent, dripping meat. It's all-you-can-eat, but there comes a point when you simply can't fit another bite. That's where the Meat Coaster comes in. It's a two-sided disc, green on one side and red on the other, that you use to communicate with the waitstaff.
When you flip the green side up, it signals "Yes, more meat please!" But when you flip the red side up, it's a polite way of saying, "No more meat for me, thank you." It's a brilliantly simple system that avoids any awkwardness or conflict.
Now, let's apply this concept to the workplace. When I walk into Firehouse, I immediately start talking to whoever I see.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"How was your weekend?"
"Did you see that guy with the walkie-talkie with the huge antenna that walked by a minute ago?"
You know, all the basic pleasantries.
One day, I was doing my usual thing but only getting an uncomfortable smile from the person I was talking to. She was in an online meeting, but I couldn't see her earbuds because her hair covered them. I was so embarassed. Talk about breaking the unwritten rules of coworking etiquette!
While our well-meaning coworkers don't mean to disturb us, those "quick taps on the shoulder" can have major productivity costs.
Studies show:
Context switching can result in up to 40% loss of productivity
Persistent interruptions can lower effective IQ by 10 points (equivalent to a night's sleep loss)
It takes over 23 minutes on average to fully return to a task after an interruption
We get interrupted every 3 minutes on average
So we've adopted the "meat coaster" system for our workplace boundaries. We use double-sided hot/cold signs that say:
"I'm on fire. Please don't interrupt me" (do not disturb)
"Ok, I'm cool. What's up?" (open for conversation)
By flipping the sign, coworking members can clearly signal their current boundaries without any awkward conversations. It works well because:
It does the communicating for you, preventing the interruption entirely
It's not personal - the sign is for everyone
It's culturally accepted when all members are using the same system
Whether you work from home, in an office, or in a coworking space, creating your own version of the "meat coaster" can help you reclaim control over your time and productivity. All you need is a Sharpie and an index card to create a simple yet powerful tool for setting boundaries and protecting your focus.
So the next time you find yourself struggling to maintain your focus amidst a sea of distractions, remember the lessons of the Brazilian steakhouse. By setting clear boundaries and communicating them effectively, you can enjoy uninterrupted focus and productivity without offending a soul. Now that's genius!
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