Removing distractions to increase productivity

Are distractions blurring your focus and affecting your productivity? You’re not the only one!

Distractions stop us from achieving our goals in a timely manner. Below are simple ways to eliminate distractions and tackle your to-do list with focus. After all, there is no better feeling than satisfaction at crossing off items on your list!

Here are my top tips for eliminating distractions:

1) Identify habits that undermine your productivity

Write down a list of the items that distract you.
Being consciously aware of the distractions will enable you to create solutions to eliminate them.
Simple habits such as listening to the TV in the background affect your ability to focus and be productive.
If these distractions occur daily or even hourly, completely eliminating them is not realistic. To effectively reduce these distractions, these habits can be ‘pocketed’ into a specific time in your schedule.

2) Declutter the mind

Instead of spending a break aimlessly scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, go for a short walk! Walking outside clears the mind, increases blood flow to the brain and leaves you refreshed, energised and focused.
Concentration music can help increase focus and productivity. Spotify have hundreds of playlists specifically for focus and concentration.
Plan your week! By setting specific targets for each day, productivity is increased and important tasks are effectively tackled!

3) Declutter the computer

Check emails once in the morning and evening. The most effective way to do this is creating a calm box. The signature at the end of the email notifies the receiver: This is a Calm Inbox: email is checked once in the AM and once in the PM.
Clean your desktop by sorting files into neat folders and changing the screensaver to a calm and refreshing image.

The most effective way to tackle these distractions is to recognise them! Once these hindering habits are identified, they can be reduced or even eliminated, enabling you to focus and be productive.

What things do you find distract you? Please SHARE below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

40 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 05 Apr 2022
    12:13 pm
I did all the paperwork, mails and answered the phone for the business we had years ago. My kids knew when I was on the phone that it was important and they were not to ask me for things. I know others say that as soon as they get on the phone their kids act up but for some reason my kids were always well behaved.

- - mom101628 said
  - 14 Oct 2017
    10:48 pm
My distractions used to be the children – meant that to finish my deadline I’d often be up till 2am lucky to get some shuteye before starting again at 6am. This can’t be maintained for too long.

- - ella12 said
  - 17 May 2017
    4:35 pm
These are great points to think about.

- - Melissa89 said
  - 26 Jul 2016
    5:35 pm
I have deleted all games off my phone and I try to get rid of as many distractions as I can – it has been working

- - mom94378 said
  - 22 Nov 2015
    9:19 pm
Music on actually helps me get more done cause i think of the songs and less about the job yet it still gets done.

- - dbhall82 said
  - 22 Sep 2015
    11:22 pm
TV is a definite distraction! Always have it in but I notice how much calmer I am and how much easier it is to get things done when it’s off!!

- - mom113055 said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    3:35 pm
no distractions

- - mom81879 said
  - 04 Sep 2015
    3:11 pm
Anything will distract me :/ I find if I’m bored, I will get distracted easier, so I try make everything I do semi enjoyable and do it as quick as possible

- - mom152736 said
  - 03 Sep 2015
    2:55 pm
Declutter the mind……works perfectly for me

- - mom94125 said
  - 04 Aug 2015
    8:17 am
de-clutter is essential to organising your life

- - mom103920 said
  - 02 Aug 2015
    9:35 pm
Distractions start with our four kids, followed by the gardening, housework, and getting another cuppa. My worst habit is having three, four or five jobs on the go at once, then finding another before the first is even finished. Would be perfect if multi-tasking meant being happy with what I’ve achieved. The perfectionist in me thanks you for your article, I need a good reminder or three.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 31 Jul 2015
    10:18 pm
I really need to do number 3.

- - deborah_osborne said
  - 31 Jul 2015
    9:52 pm
My mind does wander off ,but as you said move about & re start task .

- - Missey Grace said
  - 31 Jul 2015
    1:43 pm
These are great ideas that only takes short time to adjust.

- - mom66977 said
  - 31 Jul 2015
    9:00 am
My twins distract me so much! Ahh
- relauncher replied
  
  31 Jul 2015 , 9:52 am
  True… those are definitely welcome distractions… 🙂
- - mom67623 said
  - 31 Jul 2015
    7:36 am
took note as I am afraid distracted I can sometimes be,even stopping to make a cup of tea!, then see something to put away while waiting for kettle to boil.oh! just put washing on before to my desk I go..working at home not simple ..I KNOW, do make lists but away I go so thanks for reminding me…before outside to hose I go …..
- relauncher replied
  
  31 Jul 2015 , 9:29 am
  Hi, here’s a great article for you to read.. http://bit.ly/1KzFVde. Thanks! 🙂
- - Naomi said
  - 30 Jul 2015
    9:17 pm
I’m a shocker for checking emailz. I de-clutter my mind by writing it all down… Everything I’m vaguely thinking of doing. Then it all seems less stressful as I’m not continuously floating it around my head trying to remember everything!
- mom93821 replied
  
  31 Jul 2015 , 5:44 am
  Writing everything down is a good idea and I do this too! 🙂
  - relauncher replied
    
    31 Jul 2015 , 9:52 am
    
    Here is a good article to read.. http://bit.ly/1IO233x. Thanks! 🙂
- - mom141765 said
  - 30 Jul 2015
    1:32 pm
My kids are my biggest distraction and I can’t red rid of them ;P

- - rovermum said
  - 30 Jul 2015
    12:50 pm
I work from home, so it took me quite a while to get fully motivated and into a routine. Friends wanting to go for coffee. This was really hard. I now put in place that my work days are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and all appointments, get togethers, shopping, etc. must take place outside those days. School pick up! My Mum picks up my son each Thursday and they spend time together. This allows me to work longer. Do not do washing, cooking, etc. on work days. I am now very disciplined and it works for me but I do need to stay true and strong to my situation. I’ve been doing this for more than 10 years now, and it’s amazing how many people still don’t take my ‘work situation’ seriously because I work from home.

- - mom93821 said
  - 30 Jul 2015
    7:10 am
Planning is the best tip – it is the key to getting ‘stuff’ done.