10 habits to help you stay focused in a world full of distractions
We are living in an increasingly distracting world, with an abundance of things jostling for our attention.
Our phones, email, the internet, social media, notifications, people and pets are common distractions that impact our focus and productivity.
Research shows that people get distracted or interrupted every 3 minutes and it takes an average of 10-15 minutes to regain attention.
It can be particularly hard to stay focused during the warmer, summer months, with our minds wandering to thoughts of sun, beaches and pina coladas!
However, it is possible to reduce distractions and develop a more positive relationship with them.
Here are 10 habits to help you stay focused in a world full of distractions:
1. Identify the 1 thing
At the beginning of each day, ask yourself ‘What’s the 1 thing I can do today that will make the biggest difference’?
Until you’ve done this, everything else is a distraction!
Write the one thing on a post-it note, move it to the top of your to-do list or share it with colleagues in a daily huddle to keep yourself accountable.
2. Eat the frog
Eat the frog is a strategy that helps you focus on your hardest or least pleasant task(s).
The idea is you identify these tasks (your frogs) and you tackle them (eat them) first thing in the morning.
This comes from Mark Twain’s quote: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Remember to reward yourself for eating those frogs!
3. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique involves breaking down your tasks into 25-minute intervals, followed by a five-minute break.
Repeat the process four times and then take a thirty-minute break.
4. Time Blocking
Time blocking is where you schedule what you are going to do, when you are going to do it and for how long.
This creates an overview of your tasks and to-dos over a day or week and helps to batch similar tasks together.
5. Practise solotasking
Solotasking (also known as monotasking) involves tackling one task at a time, rather than multitasking.
This helps you ‘stay in the zone’ and avoid flitting from task to task.
6. Declutter your workspace
Your work environment, especially your desk can be a huge source of distraction.
Physical clutter creates mental clutter, so put everyday objects in drawers or shelves, use an in-tray and file/throw away paper.
Remember “a tidy desk is a tidy mind.”
7. Practise email batching
Email cascading into your inbox is a big source of distraction.
Turn off email notifications during deep work times and create blocks of time for email, rather than keeping email open all day.
8. Use breaks for your distractions
Use your breaks for some of your distractions e.g. using social media, playing with a pet, eating or talking to a co-worker or colleague.
9. Identify your distractions
Identifying what your distractions are will help you to reposition your relationship with them.
Turning off notifications, putting your phone out of sight, working in a quiet area or using noise-cancelling headphones are solutions to common distractions.
10. Use distraction-beating tools
Several digital tools can help to reduce distractions and focus in blocks of time.
Freedom can turn off your internet or elements of it, while Forest app helps to create time away from your phone.
You may find starting the day earlier (when it is cooler) and finishing earlier helpful, so you can get outside to enjoy the summer evenings and those pina coladas! Rather than the battle between work and distractions, with a bit of planning – you can work, rest and play.
How I can help
4 ways I can help you stay productive this summer:
Time management & productivity coaching
Learn how to manage your time and workload effectively, boost your productivity and achieve your goals.
Time management & productivity training
Learn tools, tips and techniques to help your team or organisation manage their time and workload more effectively and boost their productivity.
Learn how to reduce email overwhelm, gain control of your inbox and boost your productivity.
ENERGISER business coaching programme
Built around the 4 essential pillars of clarity, communication, productivity and wellbeing, ENERGISER will help you to supercharge your business and boost your productivity.
