Despite good intentions of crossing off everything on our To-Do list, it always seems that there are heaping amounts of distractions in the office. Too often does our list get too long to handle. What we don’t realize is that many habits that we believe are making us more productive are actually destructive to our work load and very distracting. They can sometimes make us less productive!
Cut down your to- do list. If your list is too long, you won’t be able to accomplish it all. Put the most important tasks at the beginning of the list. That way your are focusing on the most important and can get the most out of your day.
Don’t check your email repeatedly. You may feel like you’re being productive by answering all your emails as soon as they come in but all it’s doing is taking your focus away from your tasks. Schedule certain times during the day to check your emails- and only check it at those times! If you know that if tempted you’ll check your favorite websites, maybe you should put a temporarily limit/lock your internet.
Try going into the office early, before other workers. The quiet atmosphere will most likely become your best productivity tool. As we mentioned in our post from last week, “Productivity Basics” , closing your door or putting on headphones will help you make your way through your largest and most challenging tasks. You will be able to focus on yourself and your work.
Focus on one task at a time. It’s so easy to think that we are still being productive with all of our gadgets and apps. But what we think is helping, might actually be detrimental to our productivity. Every time you check your Facebook or your text messages, you are ruining your focus. Give your work 100% and turn off your phone.
Breaking habits is definitely a challenge. But once you do it, you’ll feel so much better with what you accomplish. Just take one step in the right direction will surprise you.
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If you want more information on how to fight distractions click here.