How to Avoid Distraction When Working

Working can be hard sometimes, so it’s natural for us to shy away from doing what we have to do from time-to-time. Procrastination is a big problem these days, and it’s exacerbated since there are more distractions online than ever before, but additionally, more work is being done online too. Sometimes we just need to knuckle down and concentrate to get work done, be it admin, or perhaps something more creative. So what tips and tricks can you use to complete that thing you’ve been putting off for ages?

Consider Your Tools

If you use the same tools for work as you do recreation, that’s where the lines can blur. So to get the best out of your productivity, you might want to consider using different tools for work and play. This could be as simple as using different notebooks and stationary to quit big purchases, like having a separate work laptop or tablet to the one you use for recreation, playing games, browsing social media, and such. Also, it could be that you need somewhere office-like to work from; a desk can sometimes be more favourable than a kitchen table. Well thanks to sites such as Promo Codes For, you can make a whole host of savings on everything from office equipment to electrical equipment, and even furniture. With discount vouchers available from well-known retailers such as Ryman, Currys-PC World and Furniture Village, you can get your hands on all the tools you’ll need to do your job effectively and without distractions.

Change Your Environment

Also where you are can make a big impact. It’s similar to the tools logic. If you’re at home, and are used to relaxing there, it can be difficult to suddenly switch on ‘work mode’ to get your tasks-at-hand completed. So what can you do to improve your productivity? Well, if you have a spare room, you could consider converting that into an office, even a little box room can make a big difference. If that isn’t possible, consider turning one section or a room in your house into a makeshift office.

If that doesn’t work, however, then it might be worth considering leaving the house. This can sometimes be a little costly, but coffee shops have always been a bedrock of freelancing creativity, and having other people working around you, it won’t feel too alien working on your projects outside the house. However, your expense comes with the expectation that you have to buy a coffee or another similar drink. If you are a frequent coffee drinker anyway, then it might come down to a choice of which shop to pick? Well, maybe whichever one has the best loyalty scheme?

If you don’t like that pressure though, then it might be worth looking at heading to your local library to work there for free. And you’ll then be met with the added bonus of having a vast resource of books right at your fingertips.

Turn Off Your Internet

This one might be a little bit difficult if you rely on the world wide web to work, but if you can work offline, then try it. If you’re working on a word document or spreadsheet on your desktop, and all your prior research is done, then there’s no need to have an internet browser open with a whole host of random websites and social media sites in multiple tabs. So switch off your wifi, whether it be from the computer itself or from unplugging the router. The router method is probably the best option, as simply toggling wifi to being ‘off’ on your device can be easily remedied if you’re unfortunate enough to relapse into procrastination. On modern devices you’ll be surprised at just how much you rely on the internet to get things done, so having less programmes on your computer working due to the wifi being turned off, it will decrease your distractions and increase your focus.

Collaborate If Possible

You don’t always have to be a lone crusader. Working together would mean you’re less likely to be distracted, as you’re not surrounded by your own meandering thoughts. And the added pressure of not wanting to waste the other person’s time is a good motivator. Even if you’re not working on the same thing though, it can be helpful to have a person or people in the same room as you all working, pressuring you into ditching the distractions.

So hopefully you now have a few hints and tips under your hat to try out to boost your productivity. If you wanted to get a greater look at why humans are almost hard-wired to procrastinate, then you might want to look at this TED talk from Tim Urban.