Being focused throughout the day can be tough, here are some of the major causes of distractions and what you can do to overcome them.
If you’re still getting used to working from home, you’re not the only one. It’s a new work environment that has its own host of challenges to address and one of the biggest ones of all is the danger of distraction. If you’re finding it hard to maintain your focus, here are some of the major causes of distraction that you should put your foot down on.
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Checking your emails
Spending an hour in your inbox counts as time spent working, right? Sure, but it’s not very likely to be a productive time. There are apps that can help you streamline your inbox to make sure you’re not wasting time on emails that don’t warrant it. You should also consider scheduling a bit of email time at the start and mid-point of the day, instead of constantly checking back for new entries to the inbox. If you’re waiting on time-sensitive emails, that’s an exception, but don’t let it be the rule.
Your phone
From your WhatsApp group to your favorite apps, your phone can be a major distraction if you let it. If you know precisely what your distractions are, then you can use app and site blocking apps to make sure that you can’t access them during the working hours of the day. However, if you’re simply prone to lounging on your phone at times, it’s best to keep a sparsely equipped work phone, leaving your personal phone in a different room while you work.
Chaos and conundrums
If your workplace isn’t well organized, then your approach to work isn’t likely to be very well organized, either. You need a proper work environment, with an office desk to help you get all your resources in the right spot and accessible as and when you need them. It’s crucial to make sure that this space has some boundary between it and the rest of the home before family life starts making your work life a lot less livable.
Aches and pains
It’s hard not to be distracted when your back is aching or your eyes are starting to feel like they might pop out of your head. As such, keeping a healthy home office is essential. This can mean investing in ergonomic furniture for the office, as well as using apps that can turn down the color temperature of your monitor so that you’re less prone to eyestrain. Of course, taking breaks from the computer desk and screen is crucial, too.
Lack of distraction
It might sound counter-productive, but to avoid wasting hours on nothing, you need to occasionally find a helpful distraction to take your mind and eyes away from the screen. Something as simple as a Rubik’s Cube or similar puzzles can help you refresh your mind when you need a short break, helping you get back to it.
Being productive and focused throughout the working day can be tough at the best of times. You don’t need distractions getting in your way, making life harder. For that reason, it’s worth paying attention to the tips above.
