Determine what your distractions are to avoid them.
You just sat down to focus and were making progress when your phone started ringing. Whether you answer it or not, the damage has been done. You’ve been distracted, and now you need to try and get back into a state of flow.
It takes, on average, 23 minutes to get back into a state of flow. The fewer distractions you have, the more productive you can be.
Now I don’t think we can eliminate all distractions. Something will always pop up, but if you make a plan, you can lessen the common distractions you have noticed.
Here are some simple tips for eliminating distractions:
- Make a plan. Start by creating a plan of what you need to accomplish and when you need to accomplish it. Breaking down the task into smaller, manageable steps can help make the task less overwhelming.
- Turn off your phone, close social media, and remove anything that might be distracting. If you’re having trouble focusing, try using a noise-canceling headset or listening to calming music.
- Track your progress. Set small goals and track your progress as you work on the task. This will help you stay motivated and on track.
- Take breaks. Allow yourself short breaks while you work, so you can return to the task feeling refreshed and energized.
- Practice self-care. Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. This will help you stay focused and keep your energy levels up.
One of the most critical steps, when distractions come in is to note what it was that had you lose focus. This will allow you to see if there is a pattern to your distractions and if some are self-inflicted.
Once you know what is distracting, develop a plan to stop the distraction from happening again.
For example:
If your phone is a source of distraction, put it on do not disturb for the time you need to focus. It doesn’t have to be all day. It could be the 30 minutes you need to write your social media copy.
If you are concerned about emergencies, keep in mind it is only 30 minutes, and you can set up rules to allow your favorites to get through.
Check out this week’s video in Positively Productive to learn more about distractions and how to avoid them.