ocussing is hard but unfortunately it’s necessary for you to actually get stuff done. It takes a lot of discipline to focus, particularly if you work in a relaxed environment without a boss watching you. Freedom often goes hand in hand with slacking off which is a huge problem for your work flow whether you work from home or work for a company.
I find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time so I like to do little things to keep me on task. Here are 3 simple ways to improve your focus…
Put distractions out of reach
Here’s a statement that is true for almost everyone: You spend too much time on your phone. That statement certainly applies to me and I’m sure it applies to most of my readers. I am fully aware that I spend too much time on my phone so when I need to knuckle down and get my work done, I put it out of reach so I can’t just grab for it whenever I get bored. It makes an enormous difference and the more you do it, the more your phone behaviour will change. I used to ‘check’ my phone every few minutes and now I can go hours and not even think about it. Swapping phones is another great tip for people with work colleagues – you swap phones with each other at the beginning of the day and then give them back at the end of the day. It will keep your phone out-of-bounds from 9 to 5 and you’ll waste heaps less time.
Use a simple text program
If I need to write an important email, I’ll open up TextEdit and write it in there. That way I don’t get distracted every time I get an email or start messing around sorting my mail into folders. If you’re a blogger there’s a distraction free writing mode on WordPress too that makes all the extras and tool bars disappear so you can write undisturbed.
Turn off your wifi at the wall
This is a very simple trick I learned during a very busy time last year. I was working on a major writing job of about a 100,000 words and I had to really concentrate to reach my target every day. I’d save any information I needed into a word document, switch off the internet at the wall and write for a few hours at a time. If I need a quick fix I turn off on my computer but if I need to seriously knuckle down, I turn my wifi off at the wall. It takes the internet away from every device – my computer, my phone, the TV – which means I have no choice but to get my focus on. Works every time.
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Do you struggle to stay focussed? What things do you do to keep yourself on task?
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P.S Want more Smaggle? Every day? Every week? It’s up to you cupcake!
12 Comments
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Yes. I need to do this but I am too much of a coward. And an addict…
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You can do this. I have faith in you.
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Maybe I am lucky to be not of the generation where mobile phones, Internet, tablets etc are part of everyday life from a young age. Although I use technology and appreciate its convenience, I don’t let it rule me. I can’t ever see myself being a slave to my phone. And don’t get me started on people you are with socially who are continually checking their phone – if you’d rather be with the person you’re texting with – just go – so rude. Sorry, mini rant over. Xx
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Gosh no not at all! I have lots of friends who aren’t bloggers and I’m very conscious when I’m with them to not use my phone. When I’m with bloggers though it’s on like Donkey Kong!
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Oh I definitely agree on the use of a simple text program. I use Notepad++ for mine. I reply emails there (copy and paste), draft blog posts, etc. There are too many distractions doing it on the browser. I switch my phone to silent mode during my most productive hours (this is usually in the mornings). I turn Google Chat off during those hours too. I only turn all of these back on past noon when I’m doing photography, replying emails, replying comments, etc etc that doesn’t require 100% of my brain juice.
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Oh totally! We are kindred spirits! Love it. I use TextEdit or Evernote with Wifi turned off. Makes such a huge difference!
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My goodness the WIFI is good one. But most of the time I’m at my PC and can’t but help click over every other minute to see if I’ve got any new emails.
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That’s exactly why you need to turn your internet off at the wall! It’s an oldie but a goodie. I’m a shocking email procrastinator! I’m actually just about to turn off my wifi to get a bunch of work done!
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Yes to hiding the phone – it’s a must! I’ve also started doing your trick of writing blog posts in Word (with no internet screens open or phone in sight) and it really helps me focus and write a heck of a lot faster. x
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How much of an enormous difference does it make? It’s such a game changer for me!
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Turning off wi-fi at the wall is a massive help! No cheating allowed 🙂
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Carly, I am throwing all your best productivity tips at my husband who is studying at the moment and working towards completing 4 subjects this semester. All this helping him is showing me just how productive I really am. Haha. xo
