Slack pings, calendar reminders, text messages or phone calls and those pesky notifications—the work world can often be incredibly distracting. And for the work-from-home crowd, there can sometimes be additional layers of distraction, like a ringing doorbell, family and friends, a load of laundry or the constant urge to clean up the space around you. But whether in the office or at home, work sometimes takes the back burner to these distractions, leaving you unproductive and stressed out about how you’re going to get it all done.
1. Create A Designated, Distraction-Free Workspace
When I need uninterrupted focus, one method that works well is creating a designated workspace with minimal distractions. Clearing clutter, having a comfortable seat and using noise-canceling headphones helps me get in the zone. It sets a productive atmosphere that enhances my concentration and allows me to dive deep into my tasks. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage
2. Block Out Time In Your Calendar
I’m a big proponent of time-blocking, so when I need uninterrupted focus, I set aside time in my calendar (preferably during the morning). I turn off all my notifications to limit any incoming distractions and let my team know when I’ll be back online. I also keep a running list of all those small tasks that take up space in my brain, so when I need to focus, I have the headspace to do it. - Diana Goodwin, MarketBox
3. Focus On One Task At A Time
It's best to avoid multitasking. The nature of the various tasks you do simultaneously may be different. So, when you switch from one thing to another, you may take some time to regain the same level of focus as before. Therefore, the key to ensuring uninterrupted focus is doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may seem productive, but it leaves you with dwindling focus for some time as you switch tasks. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
4. Recreate An Environment Where You're Most Productive
I have severe ADHD, so uninterrupted focus can be challenging. I'm most productive on airplanes, so I try to recreate that environment. I put my laptop and phone in airplane mode and (when possible) disconnect from the internet. I put in my AirPods for soft white noise, and I tell myself I can't get up until I've accomplished my task. It's surprisingly effective—and no TSA checkpoints required. - Brittany Hodak, Creating Superfans
5. Use A Timer As A Visual Aid
I set a timer for the length of time that I need to have uninterrupted focus. I find that this visual aid is a helpful reminder that I need to stay focused whenever I'm about to be distracted. The timer is also a measurable goal—when the timer reaches the end of a session, I know I had a concentrated hour or so of work completed. - Nanxi Liu, Blaze.tech
6. Start With Self-Care
For so long, I wanted to be a morning person—especially after hearing successful entrepreneurs comment on the importance of rising early to do your best work. For me, I love slow mornings, and my brain does not start working until after a good cup of coffee, meditation, journaling and exercise. Once I take care of myself, I then start uninterrupted-focus work and turn all my notifications on Do Not Disturb. - Givelle Lamano, Oakland DUI Attorneys
7. Leverage The 'Two-Minute Rule'
I like to use the "Two-Minute Rule" to help me focus. I start with tasks that take two minutes or less. This creates a sort of snowball effect, building momentum and a feeling of achievement, which helps cut down on procrastination. Once things are rolling, it's simpler to move on to bigger tasks without losing focus, increasing my overall productivity. - Jennifer A Barnes, Optima Office, Inc.