Strategies for Eliminating Distractions and Staying on Task

Checking the notifications on our phone…

Having the constant stimuli of a television or music for background noise….

Staying constantly connected via social media or messaging….

In a world that is absolutely overwhelmed with distractions, it can be really hard to stay on task. But when you have to get things done, like when a deadline is looming at work or your friends and family are counting on you for an obligation, how do you ensure you can stay focused?

Here are some of my favorite ways to eliminate distractions and keep myself on task!

1. Organize Your Time In Blocks

Scheduling out your time is the first step to staying on task. When you have your priorities laid out in front of you, it’s easier to stay committed and get them done. This may sound like all work and no play, so don’t forget that it is also important to remember to schedule time for breaks.

When you allow time to check your device and decompress in between those blocks of work, you are more likely to stay in the zone when you are supposed to be “on.” This simple switch to taking control of your time is the epitome of developing a work-life balance.

2. Give Manageable Steps

Not only should you break your time into smaller portions, but you should also break your project or task up, too. If you are only focused on the end product of a complicated endeavor, it will quickly become overwhelming.

You will feel far more accomplished when you start successfully tackling each smaller hurdle and recognize your progress towards the end goal. Using checklists, task management software, or even rewards will help you stay motivated and focused, to get portions of your greater goal completed.

3. Keep The End In Mind

Setting your sights on the light at the end of the tunnel! Creating a vision board can serve as a visual reminder of what you need to accomplish and keep you on the right track. Each time you cross one of those smaller tasks off your list, you can remember what all of your efforts are for and be reminded of how much closer you are to overall success.

4. Take Care Of Yourself

Avoid this common pitfall of getting so wrapped up in being productive that you forget to take time for yourself. If this happens, you’ll start to burn out and end up being less productive than you would have been if you took some breaks. As mentioned before, building in time for some self-care is as imperative as ensuring you are providing time to work.

Creating healthy daily habits will support your other endeavors. Taking a walk, practicing meditation, and getting adequate sleep are great examples of ways to both reward yourself for a job well done and also guarantee your successful focus in the future. 

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It is no small task to manage the multiple duties that you have to overcome each day. When distraction is only a click, scroll, or colleague away, establishing clear priorities and boundaries of your time can assure that you can work hard when you need to stay on task and play hard when you can afford the distraction!