For many of us, resisting the siren call of distractions at work can feel like a moment-by-moment struggle. With countless avenues for information and entertainment at our fingertips, we’re prone to get lost in the streams of stimulation that fill our screens. All the while, we feel the magnetic pull of small talk and water-cooler chatter, and we get caught up in the clutter of our workspaces. Our mental to-do lists mount higher and higher, yet our capacity to focus sinks lower and lower.
To be successful in business, we must find ways to manage and mitigate our distractions. This is especially important for those of us who work from home, where diversions – and our freedom to pursue them – abound. Whatever our setting, it’s crucial that we cultivate habits and create work conditions that enable us to be more focused, and therefore more fruitful, in our labors.
Below are 9 tips on how to minimize distractions and maximize productivity during your workday:
1. Put away your social media.
The five minutes here and there that you spend on social media add up over time. Without realizing it, in a single day you can squander an hour or two (or more!) scrolling mindlessly through Facebook or Twitter. During your work hours, take concrete steps to eliminate this distraction: delete social media apps from your devices; reserve a short window before or after work to check your newsfeed; even enlist the help of an accountability buddy.
2. Keep your physical space in order.
If your work area is inundated with trash, scraps, and piles, you’ll find it almost impossible to focus as you need to. Invest adequate time and energy on the front end to create a filing system that works well for you. The returns will be more than worth it – less time wasted in frenzied rummaging, easy access to important documents down the line, and, perhaps most importantly, greater mental clarity.
3. Establish and indicate boundaries.
During the workday, it’s easy to get caught up in casual conversation. While this can be beneficial to a degree – see: The Case for Positivity in the Workplace – it becomes counterproductive once it starts to consume valuable work time. Put clear markers in place that convey that you are unavailable for chit-chat. A closed office door and a Do Not Disturb message on your IM are small but effective signs that you do not wish to be interrupted.
4. Streamline your communication.
It’s not just when you communicate that’s important – it’s also how you communicate that can make or break your productivity for the day. For some, making e-mail their primary mode of contact helps to ensure that they are not bombarded constantly by phone calls, freeing them to focus more of their attention on pressing projects. For others, inviting colleagues and clients to leave messages via voicemail is a useful way of screening, researching, and responding to needs according to their urgency.
5. Make smart lifestyle choices outside of work hours.
Set yourself up for success by exercising regularly and sticking to a healthy diet. I marvel at how much better I feel, more clearly I think, and more efficiently I work when I begin my day with physical activity and refuel with nutritious food. Also, never underestimate the necessity of a good sleep pattern; along with diet and exercise, it’s the best habit you can cultivate in order to keep your energy on point. If you lounge on the couch till midnight, elbow-deep in a bag of chips (believe me – I’ve been there!), then your attention and performance levels will almost surely suffer.
6. Chunk it up.
Some people have the ability to work non-stop for hours and hours on end. But for most of us, this level of intense and unbroken focus is exhausting, if not impossible. If that’s the case for you, it’s okay. It’s actually conducive to your productivity to incorporate short breaks into your workday – so long as you don’t overdo it, of course! Break up your day into tasks, both big and small, and then, after reaching each checkpoint that you’ve set, permit yourself a few minutes to stretch your legs, use the restroom, or grab a snack. Afterwards, having taken a second to recharge, tackle the next task on your list.
7. Capitalize on your most productive hours.
If you find yourself in a traditional 8-to-5 role, you may not be able to dictate this as much. But if you have any flexibility whatsoever in determining your schedule, then do your best to reserve your most important work for your most productive hours. For some, early morning is the ideal window – say, from 5 to 9 am. For others, highest output comes in the afternoon – say, from 1 to 5 pm. Whatever the case, try to optimize those hours in which you’re most alert, energetic, and sharp-thinking.
8. Tailor your workspace.
If you have control over the arrangement and aesthetics of your office, then outfit your workspace in a way that’s comfortable to you. Make sure that your desk and chair accommodate your frame well. Choose lighting that you find warm and inviting. Display pictures of loved ones that remind you of the why and the who behind your work. As needed, incorporate ample storage so that your area won’t become marred by messiness.
9. Keep your eye on the prize.
Last but certainly not least, keep your goals before you as you work. Perhaps your sights are set on a promotion or a raise. Maybe you’re looking to expand your company into another territory. Or maybe you’re saving up for a special gift for your family. Whatever your motivation, let it drive you forward and drive out the distractions that are obstructing your progress.
It’s my hope that the pointers above serve as a helpful and worthwhile guide toward greater productivity! By freeing yourself from distraction in all its many forms and creating work conditions that foster deeper focus, you’ll be able to accomplish far more than you’ve ever thought possible.
