How to Overcome Digital Distractions
I'm definitely one of those people that gets easily distracted. But I also know when it's time to stop and focus on the task at hand. If I didn't, I'd struggle to get anything done at all. While it's not always something digital that will distract me from what I'm doing (it could be something as simple as a cute dog walking passed the window, for instance, haha), there are still things I do to make sure that my phone is at arms length so I can get my job done. Whether it be in a professional setting or simply doing something like putting a wash on or mopping the floors, here's how I overcome digital distractions:
Change your environment
It's all about willpower, essentially. The environment you work or live in clearly needs to change. That involves things like turning off all non-essential notifications, removing social media apps from your homepage and keeping your phone physically out of reach.
Work in blocks
If you find it difficult to work without being distracted, then work in blocks and take regular breaks. Perhaps work for 25 minutes to an hour, and then taking a 5-10 minute break. Do what you want to do within that break time and then get back to work.
Install blockers on your devices
You can install blockers on your mobile devices. Use things like Cold Turkey, Freedom, Focus To-Do and Forest to stop you from using social media or other applications regularly while you're trying to work. You can set timers, turning the blockers on and off as and when needed.
Redesign your home
How your phone screen is laid out will affect your behaviour and work ethic. Every now and again, switch things up. For example, on the home screen, only have tools on there, like banking apps, calculators, calendars, maps and even notes. Put distracting apps on the last page in a folder. Log out of the applications after every use or even remove the social apps from your phone completely.
Remind yourself of why you're doing it in the first place
Constantly ask yourself why you're making the effort to minimise distractions. This includes asking yourself things like:
- What am I trying to create?
- What matters more than scrolling?
- What does this focused time allow me to do or build?
- How can I benefit from this focused time?
***
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful? Let me know in the comments below how you like to minimise digital distractions and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
***
WHERE TO FIND ME
PREVIOUS BLOG POST
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Comments
Post a Comment