Deal With Distractions

When working alone, and with no one keeping an eye on us, it’s sometimes difficult to stay on task. As much as we try, sometimes our attention wanders. Then there are the distractions all around us. Here’s a list of common distractions to watch out for and what you can do to deal with them.



1. Email



o Turn off that new message alert. It’s just too tempting to see what’s just come in.

o Keep your email program closed until you’re ready to process your inbox. Then go through your emails quickly as suggested in Prevail over Email until you’ve responded to the 2-minute ones and scheduled the more complex ones. You won’t have a huge list sitting in your inbox that you have to scroll through over and over to remind yourself what you need to do.



2. Telephone



o Don’t feel you have to answer every call right when it comes in. Give yourself some uninterrupted work time each day while your voicemail takes message. 

o Watch your Caller ID if there are some callers who merit your immediate attention

o Set aside short blocks of time to return whatever calls have come into voicemail.



3. Paper



o Process incoming paper promptly or you’ll find yourself repeatedly looking through stacks to find what you’re looking for. Get papers assigned to folders in your current projects or tickler file ASAP.



4. Environment



o When you’re working try to ignore whatever’s going on around you. Having an office with a door you can close will help. Don’t let yourself get involved watching neighborhood activities or the television.

o Put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door to discourage others from interrupting your work.

o Set the temperature to a comfortable level.

o Arrange your office so you have enough light and there’s no glare on your computer screen.

o Limit time spent on household tasks during working hours.



5. Lists



o Schedule tasks into your planner/calendar as you become aware that they need to be done. Don’t keep adding them to a never-ending list. Constantly reviewing to-do lists keeps reminding you of all the things you’re not doing. Focus on the one item in front of you.



6. Yourself



o Make sure you’re always working on something important. Don’t let your mind become preoccupied with something else you really should be doing.

o Get up and move around every hour or so to give yourself a natural break. Your mind and body can only stay focused for so long without seeking a change. Build in breaks before your mind drifts and your body gets restless.

o If you’re having trouble concentrating on one task, switch gears and work on another for a while.

o See more suggestions in the Value Variety section.