1. DVR your team’s game and watch later
This may or may not work for you depending on how a hardcore fan you are. You might want to know what’s happening when it’s happening if so a DVR of the game won’t work. Also, if you are connected to other people who share your passion for your favorite team on social networks it will be very easy to be spoiled unless you declare a social media blackout till the end of the game.
2. Listen to the game on your smart phone
Use an app like TuneIn Radio Pro to find a radio station that broadcasts the game. The good thing about TuneIn Radio Pro is that you can pause live radio to attend a meeting or take a phone call and pick up the action right where you left off. In effect it’s a DVR for radio. This approach has the added benefit if your team is not local and you your local stations will not carry the games. Plan your “mundane” tasks for the time you’ll be listening to the game to avoid distraction.
3. Use bracket predicting as staff development
Now, if you’re a supervisor reading this consider using the practice of filling out brackets as a staff development tool. People are going to fill out their brackets at work even if frown on it. Instead of being the stuffy place to work why not be the fun place to work? Schedule a time for your staff who are interested to get together and fill out their brackets. Offer fun prizes for the people who were the best and the people who were the worst. Allowing your staff a little time to breathe is a good thing for both office morale and your bottom line.
4. Give yourself mini breaks and check in via social media
Everyone needs a break every once in a while to regroup and recharge the batteries before working again. Consider giving yourself mini breaks to check in on how the game is going via social media. As long as they are not excessive and don’t hinder your work in anyway it should be fine.
5. Go to lunch during the game
Plan your lunch break during the game if the time of the game and or your time zone allow. Everyone should be taking a lunch break anyway so why not use it to watch your team? If it’s feasible go home and watch the game at home for a while to give yourself the break you deserve. If you can’t make it home at least go somewhere other than your work space to watch or listen to the game. If your team is local consider going to a sports bar that might have the game for some like minded human interaction. March Madness should not be a productivity killer, rather it should boost your energy because you’ll be rooting for your team. (Photo credit: basketball on the color glow via Shutterstock)
