Staying focused can be challenging for many people. What with all of the cool gadgets and toys we have in our everyday lives, it can be difficult to avoid distraction.
While I personally am the queen of being focused (seriously, I can sit for hours on end working on an assignment), I know that a lot of people struggle with this. And my focus is not just a natural trait. I do certain things, without notice, that help me hone in on my attention to ensure I am the most productive I can be.
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post may include affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
Below are my tips to help you limit distractions to become better focused during work or school.
Figure out what is distracting you
The first step to eliminating distracting is to figure out exactly what is distracting you in the first place!
For me, I am often distracted by one of two things: my phone and/or other people.
Knowing what is distracting you from your work will help you to begin resolving this issue.
Here are some possible distracting factors:
- Your phone
- Other people
- Loud noises
- Having a long to-do list in your head
- Worrying about future events
- Being tired
- Feeling hungry
- Uncomfortable clothing
- Pets
- Music
These are a few things I think of when I look for my own distractions, but something else not listed here could be hindering you. Take some time to figure out precisely what is holding you back before working to resolve your focus.
Put your phone away
Phones are hands down the greatest distraction for most people. They detract from our productivity and pull us in without us even realizing it.
Social media is the greatest culprit when it comes to why we are picking up our phones, but games, news headlines, emails, and texts all play a role. Often, work can be boring. In an effort to entertain ourselves, we instinctively reach for our phones.
The easiest way to fix this distraction is by putting the phone away. Tuck it in a drawer or leave it in another room. Turn it on silent or off altogether. If you don’t need it for work, hiding your phone from yourself can help tremendously!
However, one argument for this is that people are worried something important will come up, and they will miss the notification or be unprepared. While this is, of course, true (sometimes emergency calls or emails do come up), it’s up to you to look back at your recent past and see how often those “emergencies” arise.
For example, if your mom calls you often and you want to make sure you don’t miss a call, this method might not work. Alternatively, if the most pressing notification is a friend messaging you about a meme or something they saw on Facebook, leaving your phone in another room can’t hurt.
Use downtime and app limits
This is the second-best option for those who don’t want to leave their phones in another room.
This is also a perfect choice for people who actively use their phones for work (I know I do!).
Downtime and app limits are amazing components on many smartphones that have honestly revolutionized my work productivity.
On IOS (I’m not sure how it works on Android), you can go into your settings and select time periods for downtime. I set mine on from 9:30 pm to 6 am every day. During work, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb, which prevents notifications on social media or text messages from distracting me. These settings allow me to access and utilize my phone for email or other work-related applications without the excessive buzzing that would inevitably pull me away from work.
App limits are another great feature to utilize if your phone is distracting you. While many social media apps, like Instagram, offer in-app limit settings, you can also set limits via your settings app on your phone. For me, Instagram has a 30-minute app limit. Once it goes off, I know I’ve spent too long on the app. It also pushes me to get back to work.
Try the Pomodoro method
The Pomodoro method doesn’t work for me personally, but my boyfriend and one of my friends absolutely love it.
Here’s how it works:
You set a timer for twenty-five minutes and work as quickly as you can. After that time period, you get a five-minute break. This repeats four times, and then you take a fifteen to twenty-minute break.
Why it works:
The Pomodoro method encourages you to work as quickly as possible since the timer instills a sense of anticipation or rush to finish. The breaks separate your work into doable chunks and allow your mind a brief rest, preventing burnout.
For many people, this is a fantastic way to work. They race against the clock to get their work done, take plenty of timely breaks, and end up feeling much more productive than if they were to push themselves to finish an entire project or assignment in one go.
Again, this doesn’t work for everyone as I don’t favor it, but I would argue that you shouldn’t knock the system until you try it!
Both android and IOS have a few selections for Pomodoro apps, so you can download the already set timer for free to help improve your focus!
Take breaks often
Going along with Pomodoro, I think taking breaks often is a great way to relieve distraction. It sounds counterintuitive, but taking breaks allows you room for mental clarity and prevents end-of-the-day burnout.
Working for hours on end can leave us feeling tired and groggy, making it harder to focus and get work done. If you feel awake and rejuvenated, it will be much easier to focus on your work.
I encourage people to take a break for at least fifteen minutes every two hours. If you’re on the computer, I would argue that you take fifteen-minute breaks every hour to allow your eyes to relax and your mind to clear. Stand up and stretch. Drink water. Have a snack. And move your body. All of these activities will help keep you feeling refreshed and ready to focus.
Only use steady background music
Many people love to have some background music playing while they work. But the type of background music you choose can significantly shape your work time.
I’ve found that music without lyrics is best since the background music becomes more of a steady beat without any distracting vocals. Orchestral, piano, and LoFi music tend to be the most popular genres of background music for work, and I love floating between playlists of each.
If you’re having trouble focusing, sometimes background music can completely reshape your productivity. It allows you to maintain a steady constant and fills the room with soft background noise. Noise machines and fans have also helped as many people can become distracted with too much silence.
If you like this post, check out some similar posts of mine below!
Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you stay focused!
You can also email me with questions or concerns you may have at info.amelia.wilson@gmail.com
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Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
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