Your typing an important email, then your phone starts buzzing, a bluebird flies in front of your window, gazing at you, and you hear the doorbell ring (must be the toilet paper you ordered off Amazon). There goes your train of thought, and that email has disappeared into the foreign lands of poorly executed emails. Distractions. We all have them.
So, how do you deal with your distractions? Start with listing your distractions and then find plausible and realistic solutions. Most, if not all, problems have answers behind them.
I decided to take 5 of my daily distractions and work out solutions in hopes of shedding some light on how you, too, can better manage your day-to-day.
1. Social media. Gets me every-time.
I wake up in the morning, turn off my alarm, try to keep my eyes half shut so not to look at my social media notifications, but then I catch a glimpse of a comment on Instagram, and that’s the end of that. One hour later, I am still in bed, and not only have I managed to like a bunch of pictures, but I have also delved into the making of Dalonga coffee. Excuse me while I wave my morning journaling and meditation practice, out the door.
What to do?
Download apps like Offtime and Flipd, which limit your usage of distracting apps and even block text messages. Now, when I wake up, I turn off my alarm – turn on the app and go about my day.
2. Whatsapp and text messages.
Every single notification goes noticed. I have FOMO since my phone is the only form of connection with people outside of my house, but such a huge distraction. I can’t seem to put my phone back and get back to work because I’ve broken my concentration multiple times at this point.
What to do?
Mute notifications for a few hours, and that’ll do the trick. Get your work done and then when you’re done, take that break and catch up. Sometimes you’re going to miss conversations, but that’s when priorities come into play.
3. Television. Especially Netflix.
I mean, with all these Korean shows popping up and Tiger King memes everywhere, it’s certainly hard to keep that TV off, but binging these shows only means one thing – you spend countless hours on sitting idle and staring at your screen. I’ve been there and done that, it’s easy and for the time being enjoyable, but the work will be patiently awaiting your dreaded return.
What to do?
This one requires a whole lot of self-control, but if you don’t have that, then get someone to hide your remote for you (get yourself a trusted remote handler). Use the television as a reward system for when you complete your daily tasks or goals. You will feel so much better that you let your productivity run free instead of lying on the couch going full CSI, evaluating if Carol Baskin killed her husband.
4. Pinterest woes.
Where all the hopes and dreams of all humans go to create more hopes and dreams in other humans; I am either looking up home décor, DIY Ideas, recipes – you name it, Pinterest has it.
What to do?
Block the site for a few hours or even a whole day. Complete what you need to complete and be on with your day. Your dream bathroom with the exotic flower garden can and will wait. I use this specific app to block Pinterest – Block Site. It’s not goodbye. It’s a see you later (much later).
5. The entire internet.
Just about anything on google will have me spending hours on the internet. One thing will lead to another, and I’ve either purchased a life-size hamster ball or read an autobiography on the entire Kardashian clan, plus OJ Simpson.
What to do?
I have no idea. I do my best to contain this with self-control, but good gravy is it hard. I have read there are apps you can download like Cold Turkey to block usage of the internet, but I mean, if you need the internet –it might be hard. Your best bet is trial and error to see what works for you.
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I hope I have helped you ease your distractions by at least a little so you can go about your day with less clutter and more clarity. I’m not saying you can’t do all of the above and still be productive, but I am indeed saying you would be much more productive if you have a scheduled plan in place that allows you to use your distractions as a reward. Let me know what distractions you come across in your day to day and how you handle it!
