5 Common Daily Distractions and What to Do About Them

Quote by Beverly R. Imes: Be aware when distractions come your way. You’ll know it’s a distraction when you stop doing what you’re supposed to be doing and find yourself pondering things that have no value.

Distractions can be found in every aspect of our daily lives – both personal and professional. Distractions can come in the form of a messy environment but it might also be a phone call, an email, text messages or a meeting you’re required to attend. Unexpected interruptions can have a major impact on your productivity. Studies also show that interruptions, even though brief, can lead to 2x more mistakes than usual. That’s why it’s crucial to have a plan for staying on track. Here are five common daily distractions and ways to combat them.

1. Email….So Many Emails

It’s not just the constant barrage of emails coming in, it’s also the unreasonable expectation that you should respond to emails quickly. Try setting aside specific times during the day to check and respond to emails. You may also find it helpful to set boundaries with work-related emails, such as not responding after-hours or on the weekends.

2. Phone Notifications

It takes the brain an average of 23 minutes to get back on track after a distraction – and our phones buzz on average once every 12 minutes. No wonder it’s so hard to stay focused! When you really need to focus, try putting your phone on silent and turning off unnecessary notifications. Just like with email, set specific times you’ll check your phone during the day. If you find yourself still tempted to check your phone during the hours that you need to be focused and productive, you may find it best to leave it in your bag or even in a completely different room if you work from home.

3. Task-Switching

Task-switching, also known as multitasking, has actually been found to hinder productivity. Rather than trying to do multiple things at once, the most productive individuals focus on just one task at a time. If you’ve been a multitasker for a long time, you may find it challenging at first to just do one thing. Meditation can be a great way to retrain your brain to focus on the task at hand. Working from a prioritized list of tasks and taking short breaks throughout the day can also be effective ways to boost productivity.

4. Friends and Family

We all have people in our circles that unfortunately seem oblivious to the fact that we have our own agenda and things to get done. Whether it’s a chatty coworker at the office or your neighbor dropping by during the day because you work from home, setting boundaries will help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary distractions. Be polite but firm, and if you want, offer an alternative time and/or place to get together.

Another tip for those who work from home: Let everyone know you work. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the concept of working from home. Some think it is a clever disguise to be lazy and watch television all day. This means you may find friends, family members, or neighbors calling or stopping by for a visit. Do not let this happen. Instead, let everyone know you do work a normal job, just from home. Also, make it known that you will not be available during work hours unless for emergencies.

5. Getting Distracted by Personal Duties

With so many people now working from home, it can be tempting to try and do some personal tasks during work downtime. It’s best to set aside work hours for specifically focusing on work and non-work hours for personal tasks. If you do choose to complete personal tasks during work hours, set aside blocks of time and use a timer to keep you focused and on task. Avoid doing this too often, however, because it takes the brain a bit to regain focus after changing tasks and that time adds up!

The five common distractions we’ve outlined in this article can be extremely disruptive to our productivity. However, with a bit of organization and mindfulness, we can overcome these interruptions and stay on task. Utilizing the tips we’ve provided, such as setting aside specific times for checking emails or responding to texts, focusing on one task at a time, and taking breaks throughout the day, will help you boost your productivity and avoid unnecessary distractions and mistakes.

Setting goals is a personal thing. Find a system that works for you and your lifestyle. What’s important is that the system you choose helps you make progress toward the goals that you have for your life. Many years ago, I read Getting Things Done, the Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. It changed the way I did things. And while I’ve neglected to do some of his suggestions, the ones I still use make a big difference in how much I can get done in my day-to-day life.

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