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Overcoming Distractions At Work Place: 4 Proven Strategies

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Okay, let’s talk about overcoming distractions at work.

A distraction is anything or anyone that stands in the way of your work effectiveness. In today’s world, it is very easy to get distracted with so much buzz of activity going on around us. While there are a lot of factors that contribute to getting distracted at work, spending hours on social media makes up for most of the time we get distracted at work.

Whether you are an employee or business owner, distractions are obstacles you need to watch out for and nip them in the bud before they become full-blown habits that will stick for a lifetime. In this article, I will be sharing tips on how to overcome distractions at work, but first let’s identify the sources of distractions around us.

distractions


Sources of distractions

Before you learn how to overcome distractions at work, you need to know what causes these distractions. Some of the known sources of distractions are:

People:

Your colleagues or friends may pose as a huge distraction in your line of work. This could be as a result of having unimportant and lengthy conversations during work hours or helping a colleague with their tasks for hours while yours is left unattended to. By the close of the day, you realize that you did not do half of the task you set out to do, and this forms a backlog of tasks for the next day.

Electronic:

Your phone is the easiest electronic distraction around you. From answering a call, you get tempted to reply a Whatsapp message, and then you proceed to check Facebook notifications. When you are done, you proceed to Instagram to check if your favourite comedian has dropped his recent comedy skit. While navigating through these social media apps, time is ticking, and you’re sinking deeper into the pool of distraction. By the time you snap out of your social media activities, the day is over.

Your mind:

The human mind can be a big distraction if you do not bring it to order. Sometimes, you could be caught thinking about irrelevant memories at work when there are important tasks to be done. With so many thoughts running through your mind daily, it is very easy to give in to such thoughts and start daydreaming about things that would never happen.

 

How to overcome distractions at work and get the work done:


A To-do list:

You need a schedule to put you on track when are prone to be swayed by distractions around you. Sticky notes are a great option for this. Every morning, write a list of your daily task on the sticky notes and glue them to your desk or laptop. When your eyes are tempted to deviate from your computer screen and pick up your phone, staring at your to-do list will nudge you to get back to work.

Activate your DND mode:

Your DND mode is the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. If you have to put a sign at your desk to ward off distractions from friends who might want to stop by for a chit chat, then do it. A prior notice before you resume work for the day also works. Let them know that you do not want to be disturbed or find a secluded corner or workspace that will shield you from the human interference around you.

Put your phone away:

Every time your phone buzzes on your desk, there is always an itch to check what it is all about, and most times, you scratch that itch by picking it up. The only way to cure this itch is by taking your phone out of sight, so it can be out of your mind. This way, you overcome distractions, focus on your task, and execute them flawlessly.

An accountability partner:

Is someone who will ensure you stick to your plan and get things done at the allocated time. Your choice of an accountability partner must be based on qualities like discipline, consistency, and dedication to getting things done. Do not choose someone you are overly familiar with, this could get in the way and you would be right back where you started. Share your to-do list with your accountability partner before the start of a business and review your progress by the close of business. This is a great practice for overcoming distractions at work.

Distractions may seem harmless or inconsequential, but they can ruin your plans, make you inefficient, and waste your time. If you want to get things done in the nick of time, implementing these tips above will do you a great deal of good and help you overcome distractions at the work.

Like Adam Hochschild rightly said, “work is hard, distractions are plentiful, time is short”

So, get to work!

 

Photo by Charlz Gutiérrez De Piñeres on Unsplash
Photo by Alexandre Boucher on Unsplash

About Post Author

Ayobami Fasusi

Ayobami Fasusi is an African writer with an unrepentant love for storytelling. Writing is her escape from the numerous thoughts screaming “Pick me! Pick me!” in her head. She currently lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
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