How can Facility Management (FM) professionals stay focused and avoid distractions during deadlines?

1 Plan ahead

One of the best ways to avoid distractions and stay focused during deadlines is to plan ahead. Planning ahead means setting clear and realistic goals, breaking down your tasks into manageable steps, and prioritizing your activities according to their urgency and importance. Planning ahead also means anticipating potential risks, challenges, and opportunities, and preparing contingency plans for them. By planning ahead, you can reduce the uncertainty and complexity of your work, and have a clear roadmap to follow.

2 Eliminate distractions

Another way to stay focused and avoid distractions during deadlines is to eliminate or minimize the sources of distraction that can interfere with your concentration and productivity. Distractions can come from various sources, such as emails, phone calls, notifications, social media, noise, or interruptions from colleagues or clients. To eliminate distractions, you can use tools and strategies such as turning off your notifications, setting specific times for checking and responding to messages, using headphones or earplugs to block out noise, or communicating your availability and expectations to others.

3 Delegate and collaborate

A third way to stay focused and avoid distractions during deadlines is to delegate and collaborate with others. Delegating and collaborating means sharing the workload, responsibilities, and expertise with your team members, colleagues, or external partners. By delegating and collaborating, you can leverage the strengths and skills of others, free up your time and energy for more critical tasks, and get feedback and support from others. Delegating and collaborating also means trusting and empowering others to do their part, and being accountable and transparent about your progress and challenges.

4 Take breaks and recharge

A fourth way to stay focused and avoid distractions during deadlines is to take breaks and recharge. Taking breaks and recharging means giving yourself some time and space to relax, rest, and refresh your mind and body. By taking breaks and recharging, you can prevent burnout, fatigue, and stress, and improve your mood, creativity, and performance. Taking breaks and recharging can involve activities such as stretching, walking, meditating, listening to music, reading, or chatting with a friend.

5 Reward yourself

A fifth way to stay focused and avoid distractions during deadlines is to reward yourself. Rewarding yourself means acknowledging and celebrating your achievements, efforts, and progress, and giving yourself something positive and enjoyable to look forward to. By rewarding yourself, you can boost your motivation, confidence, and satisfaction, and reinforce your positive habits and behaviors. Rewarding yourself can involve things such as treating yourself to a snack, a drink, a movie, a game, or a gift.