Workspace Quote by Cal Newport
““Both intuition and a growing body of research underscore the reality that sharing a workspace with a large number of coworkers is incredibly distracting—creating an environment that thwarts attempts to think seriously. In a 2013 article summarizing recent research on this topic, Bloomberg Businessweek went so far as to call for an end to the “tyranny of the open-plan office.” And yet, these open office designs are not embraced haphazardly.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Deep Work, 2016
Open‑plan offices are highly distracting, undermining deep thinking.
In simple terms: Open offices hinder focus.
Key Takeaway
Design workspaces for concentration.
Themes
workplace design
productivity
distraction
open plan
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
advice
When to use this quote
- office layout
- remote work
- quiet zones
Key Concepts
focus
deep work
environmental psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance collaboration and focus?
- What policies reduce open‑plan distractions?
A Different Perspective
Open plans can foster collaboration if managed.
