Staying focused in the workplace can be hard, especially for the few of us with fairly low attention spans. And while we’re the cause of our distractions to focus, there are several tricks to stay on the right track of work. Here’s six simple strategies to eliminate distraction in the office.
1. Have Time For Distractions
After going on a roll for a 3 straight hours on that report that’s due tomorrow morning, believe it or not you really need a small gap to distract yourself. Whether it’s 15 minutes for every hour, giving yourself a little R&R will do better for your concentration, especially if you have another report to complete.
2. Put on Headphones
No matter how quiet the office can be, a little bit of music can be a great way to block out the little chit chat, gossip, and even the beeping from the copier machine when you’re trying to concentrate. Find suitable music that will keep you both energized without distracting you. Instrumental music is usually the best choice since it stimulates your mind to work according to the beat of the music.
3. Make a “Do Not Disturb’ Sign
We won’t deny that it can be a little rude to put that sign up, but just keep your colleagues informed that need the sign to focus on your work, and that you can only entertain them when it’s about something important only. Just don’t go overboard with the power of the sign.
4. De-clutter Your Workspace
Clutter on your desk, and even your computer can be rather distracting. Take the time during your lunch break to clear off the clutter. Whether it’s rearranging your reports, putting your stationary back in place, or renaming all those folders on your computer, doing this will help you organize yourself better while working.
5. Turn-off Social Media Portals
Whether it’s your email, Facebook account, Twitter feed, or even your cellphone, turn them off except for your work mail since your immediate attention should be given to your job. Just remember that no one is paying you to ‘like’ your friends’ status. If you do want to to respond, simply use the time you’ve allocated to get distracted.
6. Create a To-do List
We don’t just mean any to-do list. Think about how much time you need to work on a certain project and then write it down on a piece of paper so it functions like a timetable. Pin it up on a board that you can see it, so that it keeps you focused on what you need to achieve today.
