Distraction can be a major obstacle for most people in the work environment. Filtering out the noise and staying focused on your daily tasks is often much easier said than done. Our daily routines, electronic devices, and environment all have the potential to stand in the way of us completing crucial assignments. The average distraction takes a person anywhere from 2-15 minutes to recover from once the distraction is actually removed. In order to overcome these distractions and conserve your precious work time you should try to incorporate some of the following suggestions into your work habits. For the purpose of this article the daily distractions that we encounter have been broken down into three categories mental, physical, and environmental. 
Dealing with Mental Distractions:
Have a Firm Stance-
Dealing with and overcoming distractions is no easy task which is why it is important for you to stand your ground. Know that your time crucial, understand that what you are working on is important, and recognize that it needs to get done.
Stop Procrastinating-
It is important that you break the habit of procrastination. Continuously pushing back work will only push it further from your mind and will make completing it even more stressful. People who say that procrastinating helps them because they work better under pressure are most likely just trying to justify a poor habit and would most likely work just as well if they were motivated to complete the task sooner.
Relax-
If you find that you are too stressed to work there is no point in stressing yourself out any worst. Find something that you like doing or and put your mind at ease for a little while. Try taking a few minutes for you by staying loose, listening to relaxing music, or reading un-work related material.
Be Well Rested-
Ensure that you get a good night’s sleep and that your body and mind is well rested, flexed, and ready for work. Exercising, reading the morning paper, and solving puzzles will help wake and keep your brain in gear.
Dress the Part-
What you wear often reflects how you feel. Wear the clothes that exude your confidence because it will most likely be shown though your work as well.
Reward Your Self-
Celebrate your accomplishments don’t just move immediately onto your next task. Have some kind of system that lets your brain relax and take a short break from work. Moving from task to task without any acknowledgement is a surefire way to burn out quickly. Going out to party every time you finish your work is a little much but perhaps you can do something small and personal like check out your favorite website, get coffee, take a walk, or call a friend.
Dealing with Physical Distractions:
Take on Bite Sized Chunks-
Start with the easiest assignments. Once they are completed feel good about your work and carry forward with that same momentum onto your next job at hand.
Watch out for Menial Activities-
Menial activities like washing out your coffee cup, opening mail, and sharpening your pencils can be used as a welcomed distraction from work but they can also unintentionally take up too much time. Reserve some time in your schedule to complete these activities or you could also use these tasks as breaks in between your other job assignments.
Be Prepared-
Make sure you have what you need before you get started so that there are no excuses to take any unnecessary break.
Eat, Drink, Sleep and Exercise-
Make sure your body has fuel and is well rested. Exercise is a great way to stimulate your mind and body as well as to stay energized throughout your day. Drinking too much coffee can often make it hard to focus so you may want to consider drinking tea.
Filter out the Noise-
Soft music, soothing sounds, and static noise can be helpful with relaxing because it helps to filter out the other noise distractions that you might encounter.
Minimize Interruptions from your Coworkers-
Use your email auto-responders to let others know that you are hard at work on something that requires your full attention. If a coworker does stop you from working avoid being rude, try saying something nice, then explain to them that you need to get back to work and maybe set up a time to catch up later.
Set aside your Own Time-
Schedule some time to take care of the stuff that would normally cause you to be distracted while working.
Organize and Prioritize-
Use a calendar or project management software that lets you create task reminders and set priorities to your specific assignments.
Complete Tasks as they Present-
Try to avoid picking up the same assignment twice. Make sure that when you receive something, that you complete it and then move on, don’t do part of it and then come back to it later because that can cause more distractions.
Dealing with Environmental Distractions:
Close the Door-
Close your office door, close the blind, and concentrate on your work. Cutting out visual distractions lets you keep the task at hand in sight at all times.
Turn off what you don’t Need-
The computer, the Internet, and your cell phone can all be a huge distraction. If they aren’t being used turn them off so that you can maintain your focus on your work.
Check the Temperature-
Maintain a decent temperature in your work environment. Too hot can put you to sleep where as too cold will make it so that you can only think about how cold it is.
Clean up the Mess-
Clean your office and organize your files so you can easily find what you are looking for and aren’t subconsciously impacting your productivity.
Get comfy but not too comfortable-
Be comfortable in your workspace but if you find that your desk chair, temperature, or lighting arrangement causes you to be drowsy then you should change it.
Hope some of these tips will be able to help you regain your focus and stay motivated while working.
For additional help for relaxing in your workspace check out 10 ways to relaxify your workspace!
Thanks for Reading!
Dustin
Tags: distractions, focus, Productivity, work environment, workplace
