Posted

Distractions abound in our everyday lives, especially while we’re working. They come in many forms: social media, texting, in-person conversations. For many, the list is endless. As such, a distracted workplace spells disaster for productivity. Here is a list of tips to keep you focused while at work.

 

© pathdoc / Adobe Stock

 

Put your phone down, and away

You may feel tempted to check your phone every couple of minutes. “What’s the harm?” you might ask. Smartphones are perhaps one of the most distracting devices out there. They hold the gateway to hours of time lost. Whether that’s with social media or game apps, a couple of minutes can easily turn into twenty or thirty if you’re not careful.

If you absolutely must have your phone out, put it down and keep it there. Make a concerted effort to not check your phone whenever you feel like it. Try to maintain this over a period of time, and you will eventually kick the habit while at work.

If you don’t need your phone out for anything, put it away. That will help you resist the urge to check it every few minutes. Even setting it just out of sight will help.

 

Create a schedule for your tasks

If you have a collection of things you need to do on a given day, create a list. Schedule out your responsibilities in order to fill your day with meaningful productivity. If you have tasks but keep them in your head, you may feel tempted to procrastinate or put off your work until later.

Scheduling out your workday can help you stay focused, get through your work efficiently, and find breaks in between tasks.

 

Cut your conversations short

How much time do you spend talking with co-workers or others about non-work related things? It’s normal to want to talk about those things. However, too much of it can wreck your productivity. If you find yourself sucked in to a conversation during work hours, cut it short. Respectfully disengage from the discussion and return to your tasks.

 

Ask for more responsibilities

Perhaps you get distracted easily at work because there is not much for you to do. When you find yourself without work to do, there’s a couple things you can try. You might be able to get more work if you ask your supervisor. Alternatively, if you are in a helpful mood, you can go ask your co-workers if they need any help. If neither of these things work, you could even try asking different departments if they need any assistance.

 

Getting distracted at work may also be a sign that you need a new job. We can help you with that. Contact us today to find out how we can find you a new career.