We are becoming increasingly distracted at work due to push notifications, emails, instant messages, and the shrinking office space. 80% of interruptions are unimportant, and the average employee receives 50-60 interruptions per day.
A lack of control over one's work has been cited as a major contributor to workplace stress because constant distractions are making people less productive and stressed than ever.
Below are some tips you can use to avoid distractions:
Join a productive team
Being surrounded by the most productive people at work can help you stay focused. Having someone who knuckles down next to you or working alongside you will not only inspire you, but will also reduce the chance of being unnecessarily interrupted.
Break tasks into smaller bits
Our productivity can be reduced when we feel overwhelmed by large tasks, which leads us to welcome interruptions. The end goal will seem more achievable if you break up a project into smaller tasks. The smaller the task, the more likely you are to stay focused on getting it done.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries will help you stay focused on the task at hand if you work alongside someone prone to distraction. Without hurting someone's feelings, you can politely tell them you need to work on a specific task.
Avoid online distractions
A distraction-free app may help you avoid social media or your favorite blog if you find it hard to stay away from it. For a specified period, these will prevent you from visiting specified websites.
Don't forget to take breaks
Regular breaks may seem counterintuitive, but they are essential for re-energizing and motivating yourself, including social time in the day, and giving your brain a rest.
Bottom Line
While working, eliminating distractions is important because when you focus on your daily tasks, you can be more productive and, therefore, have more time for other pursuits. Eliminating distractions while working will also allow you to focus more on your work and complete it more quickly.