Distractions - How To Overcome Them - Part 6

How to Remove Workplace Distractions and Increase Productivity in a Virtual Work Environment?

By Gourab Nanda

"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short."

                                                                      - Adam Hochschild

     When we are distracted, our work quality starts to drop. We end up wasting a lot of time due to distractions. To be able to be productive, we must identify and block out these distractions. Weeding out distractions at the workplace and at an home office can make a remarkable difference in your productivity. Distractions have a deep impact on the way we work. It is crucial that we keep them in check. Every time you get distracted, it takes you 25 minutes to get back in the flow of things. How does one deal with this issue? Here are some steps to help.

First, identify factors that distract you. The most common factors contributing to distraction are as follows:                

1. Web surfing:  This as the highest cause of distraction while working. Since your web surfing is not checked at your home office, you end up spending more time on random searches, which wastes precious minutes. Even at your virtual office, keep your internet usage in check - set up a time to visit social media sites or do your personal web surfing. Find out the time when you are least productive and tired and need a break from work - utilize this time for doing leisure surfing. However, keep the time-spent in check.

2. Unhealthy work environment:  Loud environment, household distractions, uncomfortable seating arrangement, improper lighting of your workspace - all lead to discomfort and loss of productivity. Set-up a comfortable office space in your house and ensure that your family members respect your need for privacy. These distractions can be easily avoided.

3. Not Having a schedule:  Work during the most productive hours of your day and take breaks when you need rest. If you don't take a break every once in a while, you tend to be tired and might easily take random breaks that go on for a longer time. It is great to have a fixed time for lunch-hour/coffee breaks and closing time. This will also ensure that your clients don't call you during your leisure hours. The solution is to take a good look at the way you plan your day at work. Put aside a certain time to answer phone, calls, emails, etc.

Once you have a set schedule for each day, it will be easier to set a time and place for distractions. Distractions will happen. Let's not let them ruin our day. Once you begin to notice what distracts you, you will be more aware that it is an obstacle stopping you from achieving your goals and more likely to set a better time for it, or completely ignore it if it is not worth your time. Soon you will know how to overcome distractions in no time!

There will always be distractions that you cannot get rid of, but by getting rid of those that you can get rid of, you will increase your productivity and will be able to stay more motivated to work.

You know whether you are distracted or not… be honest with yourself, identify your distractions and take the necessary steps to prevent it. Yes, it requires setting boundaries and disciplining ourselves to stick to them. However, if we do these things, we become more productive and our outlook becomes more positive. Our state of mind changes, thus our physical state, financial state, and spiritual state will also change.

Join me Friday as we discover how "Time Management" can help you to overcome distractions and to be more productive and happy.

Distractions - How To Overcome Them - Part 5

REDUCING DISTRACTIONS

Have you ever found that the day is gone and you wondered what you accomplished in that day? How much of that time was wasted on your distractions? What distracts you the most at work? At the end of the day, many of us want to go to bed feeling as though we accomplished and completed tasks that were set before us for that day. Knowing how to overcome distractions, preparing and completing a prioritized “to do” list will help you to know and feel that you have been productive that day and that your day was not wasted.

Distraction is something that is in all of our lives and we will always have it in our lives. It is what we do with it that matters. Some distractions can’t be avoided and will ruin our plans for the day. Others can be avoided and we should do what we can to put them in their proper place. Again, they will always be there, so there is no eliminating them, but instead, place them where they can turn into a positive experience. The best way to destroy an enemy is by making it your friend. This principle is the same with distractions. Don’t let it be your enemy, give a time and place where it is welcome.

I will cover some items and give some suggestions that I hope will help you.

**Be Organized**

Being organized is the first and most important about reducing and/or avoiding distractions. This means you should have all your files, pens and notebooks in a place where you know where to find them, so that you will not be distracted by having to look for them when you need them. This will also help to save you a lot of time.

**Internet**

For the Internet, boundaries will need to be set for getting your work done. Do your work, until completed, in the morning and prepare a set time for internet browsing after work.

**Phone**

If the phone, whether it be phone calls or the phone features, are a distraction for you, then put the phone away and turn the ringer off. Allow the voice-mail to answer and then just return missed calls after you have completed your work.

**E-Mail/Chat/Messenger**

You should turn off your email/chat/messenger client or any other alerts which you may be getting on your computer.

**No office? Ear Plugs Needed** 

Sometimes you may not have the convenience of your own office and may have to resort to a corner somewhere in the same room as where everyone else is. This situation could make it rather difficult for you to concentrate on your tasks, so you may want to use earplugs so you can tune everyone out until your work is done. This allows everyone else to continue with his or her activities, without distracting you. Earplugs can also be helpful if your office is situated in a noisy neighborhood where you cannot avoid the noise of everyday life.

**Music** 

Generally you will not want music on, but in certain situations on-going music may help you to drown out any noise in the background that is distracting you or assist you in concentrating on the task at hand.

For those who work at home - Get An Office

The best way to eliminate distractions is to designate one room as your home office. This will get you away from the commotion of everyday life and you will be able to avoid most distractions. If you do not have such a room you may want to look for a quiet corner and inform your family that that is your work corner and when you are in it, you are not to be interrupted.

Join me Wednesday as we cover how to remove workplace distractions and increase productivity in a work environment.