Phones ringing, colleagues talking, fax machines buzzing. This might be the soundtrack of your workplace. When you’re preoccupied with work, the normal sounds of your day blend together into white noise as you plug away at your tasks. And yet, getting used to the sights and sounds of our daily haunts can prevent us from noticing other things, which can, in turn, foster lazy listening and observation skills, and stifle creativity and freshness.

Press the pause button on this stereo. Literally stop and listen. Distinguish the sounds in the auditory soup.

What do you hear?

Tip:

To regroup, settle down or stimulate your creativity, stop and listen. Identify at least two sounds that you’ve never noticed before or don’t acknowledge when you’re immersed in your work routine.