We have been focusing on focusing, and I realized when we were talking about it that a major threat to our ability to focus is distraction.
The more distracted you are, the less you can focus.
Here are 10 tips to eliminate or minimize those nasty distractions:
- Turn it off. Turn all of it off – your cell phone, your computer monitor, anything that makes a noise or can be a visual interruption.
- Shut the door. If you have the capability to the shut the door every now and then when you’re working on an important project, do it.
- Ask to not be interrupted – nicely.
- Clean off your desk. Clutter can really mess you up and serve as a distraction you don’t need.
- Move to a different workspace.
- Put headphones on. Either use them to shut out the sound or to provide you music that can enhance your ability to focus on the task at hand.
- Set aside time to work on the project, in your calendar, and in your mind.
- Put the phone on “silent.” Or just don’t answer it, knowing you can check your voicemail later.
- Do the task at your peak energy level.
- Avoid distracting yourself. Internal distractions can be just as annoying as external distractions, so use some self-control!
Last week’s podcast talked about some of these issues as well, might be worth 2 1/2 minutes of your time to take a listen here.
