Working From Home Distractions - How To Deal with Them
When I joined the WA family, which wasn't that long ago, I had a set plan, goals that I gave myself on a daily and weekly basis. Now, on a side note, I've been doing the work from home thing for a really long time and I am no stranger to distraction but you'd think after this long I'd have a little better grip on it. Sure, sometimes the distractions are those that we cannot avoid, some might be our bellies calling out for food, the phone ringing, the temptation to look at the television that is on behind you or the radio that is playing a song that you just absolutely need to sing along to.
It could also be as small just day dreaming too. You find yourself just staring off into nowhere, then you come back and it's like ten minutes later and now you are ten minutes behind schedule. Then the kids come home from school and they just HAVE to tell you about their day and of course, you need to listen. Or your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, or whatever calls to see how your day is going. What happens? You stop what you are doing and bam, before you know it .... again .... you are behind schedule thanks to distraction.
What Can You Do About Distractions?
Here are some things that I've done in the past that have worked for me:
- Put a sign on the door to your office that lets people know you are working and to 1) knock before entering, and 2) IF you absolutely need to speak to me before my shift is over, please make it short and sweet.
- Next, if you are working, why is the TV on anyways? Save yourself the possibility of distraction and shut that thing off! if you feel you need the noise, turn the radio on and when that song comes on that you just NEED to sing along to, be like the 7 dwarves and sing while you work!
- To avoid finding yourself staring off into space for no apparent reason, what I found helped me was to stand up and stretch about every 30 minutes. Nothing long ... just a quick stretch of the body and brain. Then back to work. What happens is that it sort of recharges things for you.
- If you find yourself being distracted by the phone, turn off the ringer. Don't be afraid to let it go to voicemail. Of course there are instances where you HAVE to answer, like if it is your kids school calling or something. But if it's just Nancy the neighbor wanting to chat gossip, let that sucker ring and go to voicemail. You can chat with her later and catch up on all the gossip.
- The other really big thing for some, me included is jumping from one thing to another. That can be a BIG distraction. Before too long you have a bunch of little unfinished projects. Don't do it! Exhibit control! Make a checklist of things you need to do within each project and have that checklist in front of you. Don't move on to any other projects until you've checked everything off the project you're on.
There are a bunch of other little things I have and if you need more, just ask. I'm always available and willing to help anyone!
I wish you the best in success!
~Karen
Founder of Joys of Working From Home
Recent Comments
3
Yes these happen to me also I guess human nature makes us do this keep our phone with us & so on I can't understand if I was working for some else I would not talk onthe phone or have a tv on why do It do when iam trying to work for myself haha
This is a very good point, because it happens to me all the time. No matter how I try to avoid it. However, I do agree with you 100%. You have to find that quiet place, and just do what needs to be done in order for you to become successful. Best wishes to you in your success!
Good points and thanks for sharing!