The New Work concept
This will help you stay focused at work
Dynamic, flexible, modern: The “New Work” concept sounds like a promising working model. And that's it. But it also has its pitfalls. For example, it can reduce your concentration. You can read here how you can prevent this with “deep work”. Also find out how you can successfully navigate your way through the new world of work - with the help of three simple tips.
The New Work concept is a working model that focuses on the needs of employees. Some employers allow their employees to work remotely - for example at home, in a café or abroad. Many companies also advertise flexible working hours and flat hierarchies . The exciting thing is that this approach sounds new, but it is not. The concept of New Work has been around since the 1970s. It goes back to the Austrian-American anthropologist and social philosopher Frithjof Bergmann.
New Work: That's behind the concept
Back in the 70s and 80s, the philosopher Bergmann was concerned with how working conditions have changed since the time of the industrial revolution - from assembly line work and clear tasks
- increasingly dynamic role concepts,
- project-based work and that
- flexible use of skills.
True to the motto: Whoever has the necessary skills will take over - completely flexibly and regardless of the years of work experience or the job title. Bergmann also looked at how the demands of employees change against the background of the overall societal change in values and technological advances.
From predictability to flexibility
“I want a job that I can keep for the rest of my life and stay with the same company for 30 years”: Statements like these were the norm a few years ago - now few would say that. Because now, influenced by the pursuit of self-realization, the desire for the greatest possible flexibility is at the top of employees' wish lists.
You certainly can't imagine working in the same job all your life at a company where you've already completed your training, can you? In addition, freedom is particularly important so that you can enjoy your job for a long time. Start every day at the same time and preferably also use a time clock? No thanks! Flexi-time and trust-based working hours are the models of the future.
From control to freedom
Where it used to be about reliability (and the highest possible starting salary), exciting, varied tasks are becoming increasingly important for many. Many people also find the time required to be present in the office completely outdated - the trend is towards home office, mobile work and co-working and thus working from any location, away from the office. A trend that will definitely continue, influenced by the pandemic.
From top-down communication to new leadership
For many people, a working day that can be organized as freely as possible is the absolute ideal. After all, most people now want to fulfill themselves in their job . The supervisor should, if possible, only create the framework conditions. Gone are the days of rigid hierarchies. Surveys show that employees particularly value superiors who treat them at eye level, who give them trust and who create a pleasant working atmosphere for their employees.
In addition to flexibility and interesting tasks , social factors such as inclusivity, but also sustainability and environmental protection are of course also playing an increasingly important role. Wasting paper and then working in a team where diversity doesn't play a role? Please don't!
Dissolution of work boundaries, chaos and no phases of concentration: the dark side of New Work
Despite the many advantages that new forms of work bring with them, they can also create problems. The three biggest challenges you have to overcome in the context of New Work: a lack of structure and work-life balance as well as short periods of concentration.
Lack of structure
Given the trend towards project-based work , defined areas of responsibility are now out . Project-based work often brings together people from different teams and with different skills. Smart minds from a wide range of specialist areas work together in well-mixed project teams to achieve a common goal - and deliver outstanding results. At least that's the theory.
@fizkes/Shutterstock: Even in times of New Work we can stay focused.
However, if you have ever worked in a team like this yourself, you may know that this type of work can demand a lot from you in practice. If areas of responsibility and responsibilities are not clearly defined, work in interdisciplinary teams quickly becomes chaotic. Even if you always like the same routines, you will definitely quickly get annoyed by interdisciplinarity. Because in mixed teams you adapt flexibly to new challenges - agile work is required.
Lack of work-life balance
An important prerequisite for successfully mastering the challenges of everyday work in the context of New Work: continuous exchange among team members and, ideally, constant availability. This means you can respond promptly to inquiries or possible difficulties in the project . But if you are available to your colleagues 24 hours a day, what experts call the “dissolution of boundaries in work” can quickly occur. The line between private life and work becomes blurred - and your work-life balance suffers.
Do you often check your work emails late in the evening or do you find it difficult to switch off mentally? If your thoughts constantly revolve around work and you even regularly forego lunch breaks because you can no longer detach yourself from your job, the first warning sign is that work is taking up a lot of space in your life. Other things like your children , meeting friends or making new contacts can quickly be neglected.
No concentration
Think really deeply about things, “immerse yourself” for several hours at a time and concentrate fully on a task? If you are constantly available and always available to answer questions , periods of concentration become a problem. Because as soon as you think about a complex task, you will be brutally ripped out of it again - for example because the next meeting is coming up or your colleague urgently needs support.
The background is that in the context of New Work you should be constantly available and able to multitask . If you are also online all the time, this will eventually put you on constant alert. So that you can fully concentrate on one thing even in the “new work” environment, Deep Work offers you some food for thought.
Deep Work: More concentration in the workplace
The deep work concept was developed by US computer science professor Cal Newport. It describes that in times of New Work - and thus in working environments that are characterized by speed and constant accessibility - employees have difficulty successfully mastering long periods of concentration. The result is “shallow work”, i.e. superficial work with often mediocre results. However, deep work work phases are essential. For example, if you...
- develop new strategies,
- Produce products of particularly high quality or
- want to learn something new.
Every cell phone ring and every “ping!” of your chat takes you out of your concentration phase. An important prerequisite for deep work and therefore also for being able to think deeply about things and concentrate fully on important projects: put an end to being constantly available! In order to concentrate, you need rest . Therefore: turn off your internet connection if possible and turn off your cell phone if you want to concentrate (alternatively, you should at least turn off the sound).
Follow these three tips for more concentration at work
Tip one: Set boundaries
In the vast majority of cases, questions are less pressing than they seem - and you don't always have to be available immediately. If you communicate early on that you have a lot of work on the table and need to concentrate, your colleagues will understand. However, when collaborating with colleagues, we advise you to always communicate boundaries in a friendly and calm manner . Make it clear to your colleagues that you will definitely help them later and will not leave them hanging. If in doubt, explain to them what you are currently working on and why it is important that you work in peace. This creates understanding and ensures that no one feels abandoned.
Tip two: create space for yourself
If you know that you have to concentrate for several hours at a time at certain times, you should take this time and consciously “extract yourself” from your day-to-day business . If you notice that your concentration is decreasing after a certain time, dextrose is a good way to quickly replenish your carbohydrate stores. From Dextro Energy* you can get dextrose as tablets, for example in the form of cubes with a fruity lemon flavor or in the ImmunFit variant with vitamins B6, B12, C and folic acid , which contribute to the normal function of the immune system .
Tip three: Plan your day
Your schedule is full and you have a lot to do - then it is particularly important that you create structure for yourself. Make a to-do list and work through it from top to bottom. Take a structured approach and tackle the tasks that take the most time and are the most difficult first. The reason: You are most productive at the beginning of the day. Then you have a “fresh head” and can concentrate best. Another tip: Check off every task on your to-do list. So at the end of the day you can see everything you have achieved.
Concentrated work in times of New Work – thanks to Deep Work
New Work is not just a phrase - the concept has long been part of everyday life for some employees. Numerous companies are on the way there. So that your concentration doesn't fall by the wayside in times of constant availability, multitasking and the required flexibility, the deep work concept represents a counterpoint. Follow our tips and immerse yourself in intensive phases of concentration !
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* contains carbohydrates
A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.
