To increase your productivity, learn how to become a Jedi master at avoiding distractions. The hard part: almost everything can be a distraction. Here’s how to become a Jedi task master and increase your productivity:
Discipline yourself to know when it’s time to work and time to play. Schedule your day and allocate some downtime. During your downtime, do whatever recharges your batteries. Once that clock strikes work hour, get to it. No excuses.
If you take prescription medication (especially for conditions such as ADHD or ADD), take your medication as advised. Not taking prescribed medications as advised can interfere with your concentration and increase the chances you’ll fall prey to distractions.
Get a sufficient amount of sleep. Sleep is crucial to brain function. Crucial. You’re probably not going to be able to focus on anything with just two hours of sleep. Get the recommended 7-8 hours a night. Trust me, it helps wonders.
Give your mobile devices some downtime. Mobile devices are tantalizing distractions, with their quick access to social media and web browsing. Calls and texting also can chew up a lot of time if you get absorbed in chatting. Poof – work magically does not get done!
Let the people around you know when you’re trying to work. If your friends and family are aware that you’re attempting to be productive, they’re less likely to distract you. When you’re done with your work, join them and have fun.
Outline each tasks. Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. If you create an outline of a task before you begin, completing the task will go more smoothly. Outlining saves time and simplifies the job.
Think about what distracts you and distance yourself. If you know specific things – the TV, iPad, refrigerator, your mountain bike – tend to distract you, put some physical distance between yourself and those things. The knife can’t kill you if it’s in another room.
Ask for help when you need it. If people are legitimately helping you – not distracting you – you can complete tasks more effectively. If they begin to distract you, ask them to let you finish on your own.
Set a goal. Goals are imperative because they help center your focus on one thing instead of scattering your attention on many little things. Having a goal also helps you monitor your progress and allows you to adjust the time allocated for each phase of the goal if necessary.
Congratulations! You’re now a Jedi master at avoiding distractions and increasing your productivity.
