How to get work done on a train, if I am easily distracted by others?

How to get work done on a train, if I am easily distracted by others? - Crop unrecognizable male coach writing done word on whiteboard during presentation in light office

I am travelling often across Germany. I would love to use this time to work, especially because there is internet connection on board of the ICE trains. However, I often feel disturbed and cannot concentrate. I can point to 2 possible reason:

  1. People are talking around, even if it is a quiet car;
  2. I cannot focus because of the neighbors looking on my screen.

I have tried several strategies: i) select the least attractive seat; ii) use earphones and listen music; iii) make remarks to people when they are too loud. None of these really helps. I would like to ask if you have some tricks how to deal with such situations.

P.S. 1st class is not an option for me.



Best Answer

It is a common thing that when sitting free, people will look around and observe things. Don't worry, they are not spying on you.

To solve this probelm, I recommend you to Occupy a window seat and turn the laptop a littile towards the window side. So, they can't see what you are doing.

To cancel noise, using a earphone with heavy sound will cause damage to your ear. So don't go for it.

To solve this problem, you should practice to avoid noise from surrounding. Personally I suggest you to practice YOGA to gain concentration.




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How do I stop being easily distracted?

These tips may help you increase your focus and complete the things that count:
  • Have a Plan the Night Before. ...
  • Turn Off the Distractions. ...
  • Get Comfortable. ...
  • Practice Meditation. ...
  • Set Smaller Goals. ...
  • Sleep. ...
  • Use Visual Reminders. ...
  • Reward Yourself.


  • Why am I getting distracted so easily?

    Although stereotypes suggest that difficulty focusing must mean you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), distractibility and ADHD are two very different things. In most cases, being easily distracted is nothing to be concerned about. It could be a sign that you're tired or simply bored.

    How do you stay focused without getting distracted?

    7 Ways to Avoid Distractions and Stay Focused on Studying
  • Get organized with a to-do list.
  • Silence alerts and keep open Internet tabs to a minimum.
  • Break big projects into small pieces.
  • Use music and headphones to cut down noise.
  • Find the best environment for efficient studying.
  • Clean up and organize your work space.


  • What causes distraction in the brain?

    Mental Health Issues Mental health issues can impair focus just as severely as physical health issues. Anxiety and depression don't just change our thought patterns; they can even rewire our brains.




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Malte Luk, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Marcus Aurelius