It is difficult to retain focus in today's world of distractions. We have all experienced distractions at work at some point.
Since a distracting environment can cost your productivity and efficiency, you can try the following tips to fight such distractions. Before that, have a look at the reasons behind this phenomenon.
Why Do You Face Workplace Distractions?
While many people face distractions in their workplace, different reasons play a role in it. For some, it’s the mobile notifications or talkative coworkers, while for others, it can be the untimely meetings and office gossip.
Apart from these, using social media during office hours, snack breaks, roadside noise, uncomfortable workstations or ambiance, etc., can also cause workplace distraction.
Get Rid of Work Environment Distractions
Distractions coming from the ambiance are often hard to control. However, you can follow these methods to minimize distraction.
1. Make Your Workstation Laziness-Proof
Allow your brain to stay active by removing all materials that can cause distraction. For example, frequent snack breaks distract you and remove your focus from work. Keeping a cookie jar on your desk will not only lure you to take a snack break, but it may also uninvitedly bring a colleague.
If you have your snacks in the pantry, you won’t go there to eat often. Hence, make sure your workspace doesn’t have anything to provoke your impatience.
2. Clear the Clutter From Workstation
Many of you may not know it, but a cluttered and untidy workstation can cause immense distraction and hamper work quality. If you work in a cubicle, desk clutter will make it look smaller and contribute to anxiety and irritation.
Besides, an organized desk will ensure you don't have to spend hours looking for any object. It’ll also save you from getting distracted for no reason.
3. Block the Noise or Choose the Right One
Unless you work in a soundproof room, you have to deal with the noise in your surroundings. While it’s not possible to block all noises from their sources, you can stop them at your end.
Using a noise cancellation earphone is the most popular and effective way to keep disturbing noises away. You can also use apps like Spotify to listen to your favorite music or podcast. It’ll also protect you against unwanted noises.
Get Distraction-Free Tech or Tools
Over-dependency on technology is another reason we become distracted now and then. Try the following tips to use tools minus the distraction.
1. Set a Rule for Notifications
For some people, notification is the attention killer. Just a sound from your mobile, and you look for your phone to see what it's all about. To stop this distraction, check all the installed apps and make rules for their notifications.
If you’re part of a group of family and friends on different social platforms, it’s better to turn off the notifications during office hours. You can also choose to disable notifications from all social media for uninterrupted productivity.
2. Bring Work to Desktop or Laptop From Mobile
No one can deny the contribution of mobile apps for 24/7 response. However, using work apps on smartphones increases the chance of getting distracted by social media use or notifications. You can easily avoid such issues by moving all your work to your computer.
You can use Wrike for your project management needs. The tool is accessible via the web and smartphone. It supports real-time data sync and helps you stay updated from any device.
3. Adopt the Do-Not-Disturb Model
Want to do some deep work with absolute zero distraction? Switch to Do-Not-Disturb mode on all your devices. Besides turning on DND mode on your phone, you should also turn off all the email, calendar, and communication notifications on your computer.
Moreover, you can put a sticky note with a DND mark on your desk. It’ll stop your colleagues from dropping by your desk when they can get a hold of you online. Make sure to turn off all the DND models when you’re done with the work.
4. Choose Simple Apps Over Complex Ones
Do you have to use some complex app for task management, communication, and time tracking that you feel frustrated at times? Be careful, as these apps might distract you from your intended work and divert your attention.
If you face such issues with any app, ask the management to opt for an easier tool. For communication, you can use Slack, which offers ease of use to its users. Even a first-timer can run this app without difficulty and avoid unwanted distractions.
Block Internal Distractions
Apart from blocking every external distraction, you need to know how to minimize the chatter inside your head.
1. Strict Priorities
Too many tasks on your plate can make confuse you about your priorities. It may also lead you to distraction. Always set your priorities based on the importance and urgency of a task. Perform the most prioritized task first, and don’t let other tasks distract you until you finish that.
You may want to try the Eisenhower Matrix to find out which tasks to prioritize and which ones to delegate.
2. Use GTD Productivity System
The Getting Things Done (GTD) Method is a prominent approach to achieve maximum productivity without getting distracted. It helps you gather all your to-do tasks in one place. Thus, you don’t have to think about what to do next.
By applying this method, you can skip unnecessary tasks and become more efficient in completing crucial tasks in time.
3. Stack All Communications
Habits like frequent checking inbox or communication apps are high distracting. Some of you may end up doing this more often after turning off the notifications, ultimately ruining the objective.
Make a routine for different types of communication and follow that strictly. Fix times when you check your emails. Set a time for checking up on different teams you manage. Once you set the rule, inform others about it to settle their expectations from you.
Stop Distraction and Stay Focused
It might take a second to get distracted, but refocusing takes a lot more time than that. So, you should take workplace distractions seriously and follow the discussed measures to minimize them.
When you work without distractions, managing task management challenges also becomes easy.