Some people say they're more productive when working around other people, while others say they get far more done when they're alone. I can see the merits in both arguments when I assess how I work best. When I see others working hard, it motivates me to do the same. On days that precede holiday weekends (like today), where many people tend to be out of the office, I often find myself struggling to muster the energy and interest to check things off my to-do list. With no supervisor around to watch over my shoulder, it's all too tempting to watch a YouTube video or check out what's on sale on Amazon and other sites. On the flip side, if there is too much commotion in the immediate environment -- people constantly chatting and interrupting me -- it becomes very difficult to complete tasks. I need some quietness in order to think; otherwise, I end up doing things like reading the same sentence multiple times, thereby reducing my productivity a great deal. Thus, t...