Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short. by Marc LeVine

When we allow distractions to wobble us away from ourselves, that's when our intuition starts to fade and our focus dulls. -Tara Stiles

Are you easily distracted?? You’re deep into some complex, analytical thinking, which requires your full attention, and your spouse enters the room and immediately breaks into a discussion about plans for the upcoming weekend.? At first, you attempt to ignore him/her. ?When that doesn’t seem to work you try multi-tasking by splitting your attention in half.? It is probable that your spouse will become annoyed with you for not paying enough attention to him/her. Whatever you were focusing by now seems muddled as your focus has evaporated.

We live in an interruption-based culture that includes too many electronic devices, which only add to a ton of distractions. We’re so used to being distracted that when we are not being bombarded with external distractions, we rush to put on the TV, play loud music or take to our cellphones to create our own background noise to compete with our attention to serious and critical matters.? We leave ourselves open to serios errors and potential loss, because of all this “noise.”.

So, what can we do to limit distractions and prevent them from hijacking our lives?

1. Plan Ahead

What are two things that MUST get done - in chronological order – to achieve improved daily productivity? Maybe your first planned task takes less time than you might have expected or perhaps you learn that it has a prerequisite of some sort. ?As a result, it can't be completed on time and as planned. It is a good idea to be ready with a backup plan, so you don’t have to squander an entire day. It’s always best to do these planned activities - first -before you get bogged down checking your emails, returning phone calls, reading your social media feeds, and “gabbing” with co-workers. These are some potential distractions that can easily hijack the start of any day.?

2. Block Distractions

Set personal boundaries for disruptive habits that can steal time, focus and energy away from your daily productivity targets. Perhaps, only check your email twice per day if possible. Block out daily times for returning phone calls. Control your devices to disallow technology from controlling you. Taking such prudent steps to help reduce distractions, save time, and increase your focus.

3. Create a Pleasant Work Environment.

We all have our own personal preferences for workspace decor. We also create our own mental “calm scenes.” ?Mental images that relax us. When you are not comfortable within your working surroundings your mind seeks its own pleasant distractions to compensate for your being uncomfortable. ?Knowing which environments make you feel the most comfortable helps you focus best throughout the workday.

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4. Meditate

Meditation trains the mind to focus on tasks without allowing distractions to impede focus. You don’t have to take a meditation class or jon a meditation group to learn how to meditate. It is as easy as sitting quietly in a comfortable place for just a few minutes a day and closing your eyes and -perhaps -counting to some number.? Let go of your scattered thoughts so that the mind can effectively do its job.

5. Take Baby Steps

Yes. The advice always seems to be the same – break larger projects into smaller ones.? This helps because it makes things seem easier and quicker to accomplish as it facilitates focus.

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6. Get More Sleep

Lack of sleep hurts the mind, body, and soul. ?It robs us of energy and focus.? It also makes us more susceptible to brain fog, which allows us to be befuddled, distracted and more mistake prone.? ?

7. Use Visual Props

3M “Stickies” were created to jump start our brains and help us remember the things we need to do. Sometimes there is too much to remember, and we get distracted. Help yourself out and leave reminders all around to help avoid “brain farts” and distractions.

8. Pat Yourself on the Back

We all remember the image of the man dangling a carrot on a stick in front of the horse to make him move faster.? If we set our own benchmarks for rewards, it will help us focus better and avoid distractions.? For example, promise yourself a nice treat if you finish your work on or ahead of time. Reward yourself. Don’t give yourself the reward until you attain the goal. Delaying gratification can help us focus on getting something done.

9. Get Up. Stretch. Take a Nice Walk.

Get up from your chair.? Stretch. Or better yet, get out of the office for a while. This can help increase your focus. Take a short break.? Breathe some fresh air. “Stop and smell the roses.”? All of this can help you refresh your body and mind. Taking a break can help you refocus on the next task.

10. Get Some Energy Out

When the kids were wild, letting them run around a park to get some energy out was usually a good thing.? Adults sometimes need to burn some energy to feel better, too.? Working out, playing sports, or doing something physical that you enjoy for at least 30 minutes a day, makes for a healthy body. And a healthy body usually also means a healthy mind.

The Author

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Marc LeVine is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ