10 ways to reduce distractions, find your focus and boost your productivity
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 can distract us from our tasks and to-dos and over time, impact our productivity.
People get distracted and interrupted every 3 minutes and take an average of 10-15 minutes to regain their attention.
It can be particularly hard to stay productive 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.
Below, I share 10 ways to help you reduce distractions, find your focus and boost your productivity this Summer.
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!
2. Eat the frog
Eat the frog is a strategy that helps you focus on your hardest or least pleasant tasks.
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.”
3. Pomodoro Technique
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.
This technique helps you work in manageable chunks with breaks to help you to recharge and refocus.
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 helps you focus on one task at a time, without being concerned about what you need to do next.
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. 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. Create blocks of time for email
Email cascading into your inbox is a big source of distraction.
Batch email into blocks of time throughout the day, e.g. at the start of the day, before/after lunch and at the end of the day rather than keeping email open all the time.
8. Take regular breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout the day will help you recharge and refocus.
Use your breaks for some of your distractions e.g. using social media, playing with a pet, eating or talking to a friend or colleague.
9. Identify your distractions
Identifying what your distractions are will help you to reposition your relationship with them.
Turn off notifications, put your phone out of sight, work in a quiet area or use noise-cancelling headphones.
Use your distractions as rewards.
Distractions can give us a break from routines, helping us to restore focus and relieve stress.
10. Use distraction-beating tools
Several digital tools can help you 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
5 ways I can help you stay productive this summer:
Summer Away Day – Friday, 12th July
A Summer Away Day for solo business owners and freelancers who don’t have a team to go on an Away Day with!
A day work to work ‘on’ your business and on you while networking with other local solo business owners.
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.
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.
Buy your pack of Productivity Prompts to help you plan your day, prioritise your tasks and boost your motivation and wellbeing.
Your to-do list will thank you for it!
