Distractions - How To Overcome Them

Distractions... you can't work with them and you can't live with out them! 

Everything in our lives can become a distraction.  It is a part of our everyday lives for every person on this earth.  It is how we deal with them that decides whether they become a distraction or not.

If you are an entrepreneur, being your own boss is the most valued gratification for you in a home-based business. With this understanding, you know that this choice comes with the brute fury of distraction.

These distractions seem extremely inconsequential in comparison of what you desire to accomplish. These distractions may seem very insignificant, but if you think about the trifling endeavors that obstruct your efficiency and output, you will realize that they prevent you from living victoriously.

Everything you do in dealing with distractions will require setting boundaries.  If you have difficulty setting boundaries in your life for yourself, family, or friends, please get the book called "Boundaries" by clicking here.  It will help you to learn how to do it. 

Here is a list of the most prevalent distractions that can sidetrack your mind, and thus your work, too easily. See where you have been misusing your time in any of these things. Then contemplate on how to minimize them. Each day this week, I will put up a few new ones for you to consider.

1. Phone

Even if you are working in a relaxed setting of your home in absolute seclusion, one phone call from a friend or family can easily railroad you off track. You could be very interpersonal, and accepting ongoing, non-business related calls become a normal practice for you. BUT, when it comes to work, keep these calls at arms length. Turn your ringer off or just don't answer the incoming calls during work hours unless your business is dependent on answering the phone... OR... Let friends and family know that you are at work and cannot talk. Then, put the phone away as to not be tempted to play with the many features provided.

2. Daily Chores

With working at home, we have the freedom to work at our own pace, including doing chores. However, if you are interrupting your work time to complete the daily chores, then the chores have become a major distraction for you. It is important to set boundaries of your professional verses your domestic life. If you do not set these boundaries, then you will continue to be distracted by them and you will continue to not be as productive as you could be. Make believe that your office is outside of the home at another building and that you are not available for the domestic duties until you get off of work and go home just like any other job.

Remember, as we change our thoughts, our state of mind changes also, thus our behavior changes in accordance to the thoughts that we have.  So, let's keep distractions out of our minds so that we can be more productive in whatever activity we are doing.  Join me Monday as we talk about how Television, Social Networking, and Browsing can be distractions.  Also, if you have a testimony on how you were able to overcome a distraction in your life, please feel free to share it in our comments section.

?! ~ PROCRASTINATION ~ !? End

The Cause and Cure

Having fun with friends is a major pastime among college students. When it takes priority over getting assignments completed, however, procrastination is the cause. Previously, we discussed some causes & results of procrastination. What can you do about procrastination? Procrastination can put a complete stop to your life. Putting off things to do, only leads to more overwhelm down the road, and thus creates a state a paralysis, where nothing ever gets done. You can learn to overcome procrastination, here are a few tips to help you:

1. Change your flawed thinking to positive, realistic thinking. There are old wise sayings for procrastination. Here are a few, "Time waits for no man." "Strike while the iron is hot." "He who hesitates is lost." "He who hesitates is last." These old sayings still hold meaning. You can't wait until you're in the mood to finish important tasks; you must use positive self-talk to get yourself motivated.

2. Set clear goals for yourself. Your goals must be attainable. With specific tasks, work backwards from the due date with a calendar in hand. Be realistic about how much time it will take to get the parts done. Most important in setting your goals is to avoid overloading yourself.

3. Divide and conquer. A big task can look too big to tackle at times, as it is so intimidating and overwhelming. This is why you have to break the task into smaller, more manageable ones, and go through them one by one, as if each one was an important task on its own.

4. Have a "to do" list. Prioritize and partialize your tasks. It's always better to write things down then to have it just sitting there in our mind, where it can get lost with all our other thoughts. Therefore, write down all the things that you are putting off, and keep this list in clear sight, so that you are reminded of it. Don’t expect to finish an academic project in one step. Put all your assignment due dates on a semester calendar along with test dates. Determine how many parts each assignment will take and work on one piece at a time. Then, as you do each task, cross them off, and go down the list. You will not believe the wonderful feeling of accomplishment as you cross all the items on your list!

5. Clean environment = clearer mind. Organize your work area and tools before you begin. Being in order helps to cure procrastination, as you feel less overwhelmed by all the papers and stuff lying around your space, and cleaning creates a discipline that can help you when it's time to do a certain task. Resist the urge to clean your workspace at this time--that's just another procrastination tactic. But you'll waste precious time and lose your momentum if you have to stop for pen, pencils, paper or your books.

6. Use reminders to help you remember important tasks. Refer to your master calendar, but also use post-its, a memo book and other memory aids.

7. Don't waste any time. Sometimes, you may not do something because you feel like you don't have the time to finish it. Try looking at such a situation from another perspective. Tell yourself, 'how much can I get done, in the time I have left?' Do as much as you can in the time you have, and soon, you will notice that you're not lagging behind that much anymore.

8. Use the reward system. To give you an incentive, or a boost in motivation to do a certain task, give yourself a small reward if you accomplish it on time. Whether it's a certain food you treat yourself to, or a gift you buy yourself, it doesn't matter, as long as it inspires you enough to get the job done. This will reinforce your positive self-esteem. Now you'll feel more positive about approaching the next task.

9. End of day preparations. At the end of each day, go over all that you have to do the next day, creating a schedule, and thus making you aware of what's to come tomorrow. This will mentally prepare you for what's ahead instead of being surprised and feeling in over your head.

Well, that ends our topic on “Procrastination”. I hope this has helped you to make up your mind to start heading your problem with “Procrastination” off where it starts… at the beginning. Go ahead! With these help tools, you can do it!