It is really frustrating, when you are endlessly distracted while trying to get a work done. You may have strong intentions to stay on the task, but you just cannot help scrolling through your social media or grabbing your phone the moment you hear a notification, or reading an email for that matter. Distractions seem difficult to avoid. Besides causing massive loss in productivity, distractions can even lessen the joy of leisure activities.
Learning how to stay focused and not to get distracted is tough. But the goal is attainable if you follow the following tips:
Decide on your ultimate goal
Learning to focus will be easier if you have your ultimate goal in mind. So figure out why you need to focus in the first place. Having an understanding about your vision and goals can help you through the tough and tedious parts of achieving them.
Set three main objectives everyday
If you have a long list of things to do, you may feel so overwhelmed that you might think of giving up. Limit the number of daily goals to three. Write them on a sticky note and paste it where you can see it while working. With clearly defined tasks, you will be able to work with greater intention and your mind won’t stray.
Set a deadline
When you set artificial deadlines or shorter time frames to finish your work, your focus is automatically increased and you tend to avoid all distractions. Back up the deadline with something that holds you accountable. This tactic will definitely boost your productivity.
Focus on a small amount of work at a time
Most goals take a greater time to accomplish and that can appear daunting. This can lead to either discouragement or the state of fantasizing about what it feels to achieve the goal, both of which can destroy your focus. So it is better to concentrate on your smallest part of work at a time. This way, your task will become manageable and you won’t get distracted along the way.
Visualize yourself actually working
Imagine yourself doing a small part of the task at hand by visualizing and feeling the act. Acting on that feeling will be easier then. Repeat the visualization process until you actually do the task. This process of intently focusing on each step will help you in avoiding distractions.
Take on more complex tasks
One of the reasons for chronic distraction and focusing trouble might be that your work isn’t engaging you fully. You may be in search of something more interesting. When you do challenging tasks that push your skills and intellectual limits , you hardly have any mental capacity left to wander to any kind of distraction.
Control your Internal Distractions
Pay attention to your thoughts and identify when your mind starts wandering.Take a breath and purposely choose not to react to the distraction.A good way to keep your mind from straying to non-essential thoughts is to have a dedicated workplace. By doing so, your mind will associate that area with work-related thoughts. Make sure you leave this place, while taking breaks, so that you will know when you can let your mind free. Deadlines are also useful.
Block external distractions
Start building habits that help you stay away from distractions. Just distance yourself physically from things that are causing distractions. The disrupting TV can be switched off, the phone can be put on silent mode, a website blocker app can be used to control browsing, noise-cancelling headphones can be used. Be in a distraction-free mode and avoid multitasking.
Train your brain to stay focused
Your overall discipline can be improved by some focus exercises. Meditation is a great way to build focus ability. The second exercise is the Pomodoro method, in which a timer is set and you are focused on a task for that time period. Then you can take a break and indulge in your distractions during that allotted period. Each interval improves your ability to stay focused.
Break the cycle of stress and distraction
If you are easily distracted, that indicates that you are under great stress. Bringing your stress under control will help you to regain focus and overcome distractions. Find ways to calm and relax your mind.Practice breathing exercises, get enough sleep and practice anxiety coping methods.
Focus on easy parts first
Skip what you don’t know. Focus your attention on what you can do easily. Eventually, you can take up the difficult parts as by then you would have gained enough momentum and your focus won’t break if you work on them.
Manage your momentum
Momentum helps you to stick to your goals. Never take true breaks from your goals. Do something significant everyday that will lead you closer to your goals.
Get organized
Distractions can be hard to resist if you are not clear about your goals. To-do lists and other forms of planning are helpful in improving focus. You must not only have a clear list of priorities but also have an organized and clean workplace.
Distractions are omnipresent these days. Some may be of no consequence but some can deprive you of your productivity. Say no to distractions using the tips mentioned above and enhance your focus and productivity.
