Avoid Work Distractions! 11 Tips to Stay Focused on Work

Loud noises coming from the office printer. People chattering away in your workspace. Multiple notifications pinging from your computer. A booming headache because of this morning’s traffic jam. It’s a wonder how some people can still work through these distractions, but it can’t be denied that these are common experiences in workplaces all over. Since these are normal for every employee, knowing how to stay focused at work is important so that you can be efficient and productive.

According to studies by the University of California Irvine, office workers often get sidetracked from their tasks on hand every three minutes and five seconds on average. When distractions continue over time, overall work performance becomes poor, causing revenue loss for the company. Meanwhile, employees who are continuously exposed to these stressors may suffer from health problems.

Common Distractions at Work

Unnecessary meetings, tasks requiring multitasking, and constant social media notifications are all suspects of work distractions. With remote work proliferating nowadays, most employees also get distracted by sudden notices from their colleagues. Accessible forms of entertainment, like mobile games or streaming sites, have also become a problem.

Noise is also a common distraction. Employees who work in public areas, such as coffee shops or co-working spaces, may get distracted by people chattering nearby. But even if you work from home, you can be exposed to noise pollution, especially when you live in a busy area.

How to Stay Focused at Work

While employers have the power to implement policies that can help you deal with distractions at work, you as an employee will have to take charge of overcoming these said distractions. Know how to stay focused at work with these ideas.

Avoiding distractions in the office

Give visual cues to show that you are busy.

To ward off those who want to talk in person, wear headphones. You don’t even have to listen to anything; your headphones should work as a sign for your co-workers not to disturb you. If you’re lucky enough to have a private office, then closing the door usually does the trick. Tack on a sign by the door to inform people outside that you’re working on a deadline.

Keep your workspace neat and tidy.

Clutter can be distracting. Finding what you need may take more time when you have an unorganised desk. The sight of too many things in your workspace may also make you overwhelmed. So, try to limit what you can see or grab while working. Store everything else you don’t frequently use in a drawer or your locker to keep them from bothering you.

If you can’t help but have a lot of things on your desk while you work, clean up before heading home. That way, when you return, you return to a tidy space and are all set to work.

Avoiding work-from-home distractions

Find a quiet spot to do your work.

Look for a place in your home where you can set up an “office” space and make it a habit to work there. If possible, avoid working on your bed or sleeping area to create a boundary for rest and recreation. You’re more likely to find the urge to play or dawdle if you’re working in the space where you relax.

Plan your household chores accordingly.

Employees tend to think about household chores when working from home. What should you whip up for lunch? When can you have that leaking sink fixed? Why is that item not in its proper place?

Chores are a subtle work-from-home distraction because they seem just as important as office tasks. However, you must remember to respect your work hours as much as you would if you were at the office. Stop the urge to squeeze in chores during the work day. Instead, schedule and delegate time for household management before you start working.

Avoiding distractions while working remotely

Have emergency supplies and snacks on hand.

If your distractions come in the form of physical ailments, having a small stock of medicine in your bag helps. Think of what commonly ails you to know what to include in your supply.

Now, medicines aren’t the only things that can help you feel better. Snacks that perk you up are good to have at hand. Your best bets are chocolate, nuts, and instant coffee packets. Make sure you have these with you before you begin the actual work, especially if you’re working in a café or a co-working space.

Use a soundproof headset to block out noise.

Working in a café is a good idea to change your scenery while working, but you won’t be able to control the noise in the area. So, bring a pair of soundproof headphones or earphones to block out chatters. You can try listening to instrumental music to help you get into a sense of deep focus.

More Tips to Avoid Common Work Distractions

Put your phone in silent or “Do Not Disturb” mode.

We’re often told to put our phones in silent mode or “Do Not Disturb” mode during worship services or at the movies. It’s a rule to keep people focused on the experience, so why not adopt the same rule while working?

Beeps and alerts can pull people from their tasks, so if you’re not expecting an important call, it’s best to use the “Do Not Disturb” feature. It’s easy to get distracted when you hear message notifications and have them blow over into a full-fledged chat thread. Avoid that early on by utilising the “Do Not Disturb” feature when you have an important task to finish. This would discourage your colleagues from messaging you unnecessary things. If you still receive messages even with this status, you can get back to them later.

Avoid checking your email too frequently.

“One quick check” may lead to another event. If you’re constantly checking your email, ease out of the habit. Start by checking for updates only every 30 minutes. Then increase the gap to 45 minutes. The goal is to only open your email every hour. Doing this gives you more time to focus.

Make sure that all your meetings have a clear agenda.

No one likes to waste time in an unproductive meeting. That’s one or two hours of your day gone before you know it. To make sure that meetings are productive, ask the organiser for the agenda and the expected outcomes. When the meeting begins, everyone is on the same page and knows what will be discussed.

Stop task switching.

You might think that task switching makes you more efficient. It doesn’t. In fact, shifting your attention from one task to another reduces productivity and creativity and lessens focus. According to more research from the University of California Irvine, it takes an average of 25 minutes to return to a task after being interrupted.

To avoid task switching, try the practice of time blocking. Intentionally set a specific amount of time for a project or task and make an effort not to be sidetracked by interruptions. When the task is done, take a short break, then move on to the next block of focused time.

Address your personal struggles with work head-on.

Sometimes applying these techniques to your daily work routine won’t do much if your problems stem from the inside. If you’re dealing with emotional issues or family struggles, work will certainly get affected even if you’re lucky enough to have ideal working conditions. Take some time off to give yourself space to work on your challenges. Remember that it’s okay to go on a mental health break.

You may want to seek professional help such as therapy or counselling. There’s no shame in admitting a problem since acknowledging something is wrong and taking steps to correct it can only make things better. But, also remember that counselling isn’t only for those dealing with serious concerns. Seeking help can be a preventive measure that allows you to process and understand things better.

Identifying what distracts you and knowing how to stay focused at work is important. You’re less prone to making mistakes on the job, and you’ll be less stressed because you’re on track with your to-do list.

#LetsGetToWork and be a more focused employee. Update your profile at JobStreet and find work that will bring you passion and purpose.

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