Distractions Abound

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with distractions, it can be difficult to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. Whether it's the constant notifications from your phone, the never-ending stream of comments on social media, or simply the general noise and bustle of daily life, it can feel impossible to focus on anything.

But the ability to focus is a skill that can be learned and there are practical steps we can all take to be more productive. Time is the most precious resource any of us have. Isn't it worth learning to use that resource well? As Peter Drucker said, "Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else."

Statistics on the Impact of Distractions

The costs of distraction may be higher than you realize. A recent study completed by TeamStage found that:

• 50% of employees say they are distracted by their phones at work.
• 98% of the workforce gets interrupted by distractions 3 or 4 times a day.
• People who are distracted make twice as many errors.
• It takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds for a person to fully recover their focus after a distraction.

SOURCE: TeamStage. (2022). Workplace Distractions Statistics: Problems and Solutions in 2022. Retrieved June 27 from, https://teamstage.io/workplace-distractions-statistics

5 Tips for Staying Focused

In a world that seemed designed to distract us all, here are some powerful tips to help you stay focused:

1. Set daily and weekly goals. At the beginning of each day and week, plan what you need to accomplish. Put your goals in your calendar and stick to them. Break each goal into tasks and write them down too. This sets the foundation for being productive.
2. Set goals and limits for how much time you'll spend on each task. At the start of the day, review the tasks you need to get done and set time limits for each one. This will make you more accurate in managing your time and you'll be surprised how often an intention comes true. One thing is certain: If you do not limit the time, you will spend more than you need to.
3. Work in a quiet environment that is free from distractions. If this is something you can control, you will never regret making it a priority. Even if you must work in a noisy environment, there are things you can do to reduce the distractions. Some people find it helpful to listen to music or to use sound-cancelling earphones.
4. Remove or turn off all distractions from your environment. Silence notifications from your phone and computer. Depending on the situation, you may even want to turn phone calls to silent and let people leave you a message. This is one of the most helpful things you can do to improve your productivity at work.
5. Establish specific times for checking email and social media. When we suggest that you silence notifications, we are not suggesting that make yourself unavailable. You still need to acknowledge and respond to this information. The key is to schedule specific times each day when you will process emails and social media.

Being In the Zone

Once you follow these tips, you will notice more productivity. One of the best results of better productivity is a thing called "being in the zone." Some people call it "being in flow."

It's a beautiful state of mind in which your concentration is so deep, everything else fades into the background. Most of us do our best work in this state. It opens the door to creativity and insight. It is the most efficient way of getting things done. Plus, it feels great.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Productivity is a skill that needs to be kept fresh. I've followed these productivity tips for years and I often enjoy "being in the zone," but I also need to work these skills every day just like anyone else. That's why I'm taking a course offered by Darren Hardy called Insane Productivity.

Like Tim Ferriss says, "Focus on being productive instead of being busy." Then, witness how much you get done, and the benefits that result.

Call to Action

For the next two weeks, follow the tips in this blog for staying focused. At the end of the two weeks, review the impact this has had on your productivity and work satisfaction. Let us know how it goes.

Your Friends,
The UpCloseTeam