The internet is full of distractions and endless excuses to procrastinate. It will always be easier to play a game of Stackopolis than it is to complete your taxes, file your expenses, send an important email or finalise a design for a client.
Are distractions sabotaging your efforts to get ahead? Do you feel like you’re constantly plagued by technology or interruptions by others? Lurking around us are forces—labeled demons—that interrupt our flow of attention and psychic energy …
“Defeating the 8 Demons of Distraction” is an invaluable and affirming resource for both professional service providers and consumers. There are many publications on human behavior, time management, and specific techniques for getting better organized at home and at work. This one pulls it all together, in an easily approachable, enjoyable, and thorough way. Dr. Markel presents realistic examples of challenges plaguing millions of people from every walk of life and level of accomplishment. And she follows those examples with solutions that work. Give yourself the gift of this book to enhance your own life and the lives of those around you.”
10 ways to eliminate distractions
1. Turn off your email, IM and Twitter and phone notifications
2. Turn off the Internet. Pull the plug!
3. (If you need the internet to work) find a way to block out distractions
4. Headphones – music is a great way to fall into your own little (focussed) world
5. Create a DO NOT DISTURB sign… co-workers will soon get the hint
6. Clear workspace clutter – create your own Zen Desk, free of ‘stuff’
7. Clear computer clutter – create your own Zen Desktop, free of distracting icons
8. Handle interruptions – find ways to quickly get back to the task at hand
9. Use minimal programs (without all the distracting bells-and-whistles)
10. Distraction time – allow yourself 10 minutes to unwind once every hour!
What did you have to say?
We asked MOO’s customers for their advice and you shared some fantastic tips to help other small businesses and freelancers. Some of our favorites include “turn on the radio (low, just enough so you can hear it)” from Samantha Vincent. She continues “it distracts you enough but still keeps you focused so you are not trailing off reading blogs!”, apart from the MOO Blog, of course!
Advice from Gareth Rees was to hide the remote control for the TV – an easy place to find distractions for sure. We liked Jade’s advice – “make sure you eat before you get focused so you dont start to think “ooh I’m hungry” and waste a lot of time making/buying food” – although we do enjoy the odd cake (or two) at MOO HQ. The idea of posting “GET BACK TO WORK” signs everywhere from Petrina Reyes made us smile – although you’ll have to be careful that making all those signs doesn’t get in the way of your work!
Getting Things Done
As well as helping you beat the distractions and wonders of the internet we wanted to share some more tips on improving your productivity’ (from the mind of David Allen). David’s “Getting Things Done” (GTD) method and book are all about the art of stress-free productivity. He’s delivered talks at Google and other big institutions, but that doesn’t mean to say that the advice isn’t transferable to your small business.
