In a world full of technology, we find distractions at every corner, every meeting, and every time we look at our phones. How do we escape these distractions and remain focus in the office when much of our work depends on technology? To help keep you focused, your team focused, and your office moving smoothly along, here are 5 ways to increase your productivity and decrease your distractions. Try them out and let us know if they work!
1. Create a To Do List
The first thing you should do when walking into your office is take the next 30 minutes and come up with a to do list of what needs to be done that day. Once this list is created, go ahead and prioritize the list. Decide what needs to happen now or later. This will help you, and your team, have clear goals for the day.
2. Work in 60-90 Minute Increments
As time moves on, our attention goes away and distractions start to sneak up on us. To remove these distractions and focus on the goals at hand, break your work day into 60-90 minute slots with a 5 minute break in between each one to go for a quick walk, listen to some music, or grab a quick, and healthy, snack. After the quick rest, your brain will be ready to work for another 60-90 minute slot.
3. Create blocks to answer emails
Everybody knows emails can be a productivity killer. These emails need to be answered but can stop the flow of work if you stop every single second to answer them. The best way to handle them is to setup time in your calendar to answer emails. This allows you to turn off your email notifications and focus on the tasks at hand.
4. Stay away from Social Media
Do yourself a favor and just do not even think about looking at social media while working in one of your 60-90 minute blocks. Instead, use it as a reward for when you complete a full block of work. Go outside, take a walk, and enjoy perusing Twitter.
5. Drink Water
As strange as it sounds, drinking water can help you stay focused on the goal at hand when your stomach starts to complain. Having water at arm’s reach can help curb those first signs of fatigue or hunger. Not having to get up for water is a major plus as well, since getting up will break you away from your work and cause a distraction.
