Distractions Matter

byrcharinhp99

3.6K followers

2 years ago

Handling Distractions as an Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to get distracted from the tasks that really matter. Emails, slack messages, social media, and interruptions can derail productivity if you let them. Staying focused is critical to getting work done efficiently as an entrepreneur. So how can you manage distractions and boost productivity?

Distractions divert attention and break concentration. This costs valuable time and mental energy. Common workplace distractions include phones, the internet, social media, meetings, noisy coworkers, and more. These distractions disrupt work and prevent employees from doing their best work.

For entrepreneurs, distractions can completely throw off your day or week if you let them. As your own boss, it’s up to you to manage distractions and stay focused. Doing so will help you be more productive overall and avoid simple mistakes that could happen if you’re distracted. Here are some of the top benefits of managing distractions as an entrepreneur:

Increased Focus

Without distractions competing for your attention, you can fully immerse yourself in your work. You’ll produce higher quality work in less time when you’re focused. Minimizing distractions reduces context switching time too, so you waste less time getting back on track after being derailed.

Improved Productivity

Distractions negatively impact productivity in several ways. First, they extend the time needed to complete tasks. Constant distractions also decrease work quality. Staying focused improves workflow so you get more done each day.

Less Stress

Trying to work while distracted is frustrating and stressful. It’s difficult to make progress when your concentration is broken every few minutes. Reducing distractions alleviates this stress so you can work in peace.

Better Time Management

With fewer distractions, you’ll more accurately estimate how long tasks will take. You’ll also avoid blowing deadlines by working inefficiently. This allows you to better schedule your time and meet targets.

Stronger Work Ethic

Giving in to distractions makes it easy to waste time and procrastinate. Removing distractions and staying focused reinforces discipline and a strong work ethic over time.

Happier Work-Life Balance

Having an intentional approach to distractions helps you “switch off” after work hours. You can be fully present with family or friends instead of thinking about work.

How Distractions Affect Entrepreneurial Productivity

Distractions can sneakily devastate productivity, especially for solo entrepreneurs. Even quick distractions that seem harmless can add up to major time drains over a workweek.

For example, taking just five minutes here and there to check social media may not seem like much time wasted. But doing this 10 times in one-day results in nearly an hour of lost productivity.

Specifically, distractions negatively impact entrepreneurs in the following ways:

Extended Task Completion Time – Distractions make every task take longer from constant context switching.

Poor Work Quality – Interruptions and divided attention lead to more mistakes and overlooked details.

Frustration and Stress – It’s incredibly frustrating trying to work while constantly distracted. This takes a toll both mentally and physically.

Missed Deadlines – Getting less done each day makes it harder to hit targets and deadlines.

Lost Income – Distractions equate to lost billable hours and income for entrepreneurs.

Procrastination – It’s easier to procrastinate and waste time when you’re unfocused.

Simply being aware of how distractions affect your productivity is the first step. From there, implementing distraction-blocking techniques can transform how much you accomplish.

Top Distractions for Entrepreneurs

To conquer distractions, you first have to know what you’re up against. While distractions come in many forms, these are some of the most common and productivity-sucking for entrepreneurs:

EMAIL – Constant emails disrupt your flow, especially with expectations to respond quickly. Checking email too often eats up time.

SOCIAL MEDIA – Mindlessly browsing platforms like Facebook and Instagram destroys productivity fast.

SMARTPHONES – Phones provide unlimited distractions from texting to apps to browsing the web. Having your phone nearby is tempting.

THE INTERNET – Useful for work, but also full of rabbit holes that can occupy hours without realizing it.

NOISTY ENVIRONMENT – Background noise and conversations, whether at home or a coffee shop, break concentration.

TAKING A BREAK – Though necessary sometimes, meetings usually derail focused work time.

TELEVISION – It’s easy to get sucked into having the TV on in the background while you work.

NEWS AND ARTICLES – Staying up to date is good, but reading news can quickly turn to non-work related clicking and scanning.

HOUSEHOLD TASKS – Chores and errands need to get done but tend to happen at the expense of work time.

RELATIONSHIPS – As rewarding as relationships are, long visits or calls with friends/family during work time can become distractions.

OTHER OBLIGATIONS– Things like doctor's appointments or your child’s soccer game are priorities but also limit work time.

The truth is, that distractions are everywhere. Developing strategies to block them out is the only way to regain focus. Try the tips below to minimize distractions as an entrepreneur.

Tips to Limit Distractions and Boost Productivity

Achieving peak productivity as an entrepreneur means being proactive against distractions. You can’t eliminate every distraction, but you can sharply reduce the frequency.

Give these strategies a try if distractions are inhibiting your work:

Work Where You Won’t Be Interrupted

Find a quiet workspace where people won’t disrupt you. If you work from home, a spare room or office works well. If not, consider working from a library or renting a co-working space.

Set Distraction Blocking Hours

Block time in your calendar for distraction-free work. During these hours, silence your phone, disable email notifications, close browser windows and ask others not to disturb you.

Use Website Blocking Tools

Apps like Freedom or Cold Turkey allow you to block distracting websites and apps for certain time periods. This keeps you from mindlessly checking things like social media or online shopping sites.

Turn Off Notifications

Disable notifications on your computer, phone, email, slack, and any other apps. Checking these only when necessary will help you stay focused.

Work In Short Bursts

Use the Pomodoro technique to time your work in short productive bursts. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This helps limit distractions from creeping in.

Take Regular Breaks

Schedule regular short breaks to refresh your mind, stretch your legs, or grab a snack. This boosts productivity more than working for hours without a break.

Listen to Music

Play instrumental music, white noise, or nature sounds. Lyrics can be distracting but the right background audio helps you zone in.

Let Calls Go To Voicemail

Instead of answering calls, let them go to voicemail when you’re focused on an important task. Return calls during specified times so you control when you’re interrupted.

Work During Your Most Productive Hours

Know when you have the most energy and schedule your most challenging work during those high-productivity hours. You’ll get more done with fewer distractions during peak energy.

Set Work Hours

Establish set work hours each day and log off outside of those hours. This trains you and others when you’re “at work” versus off work.

Assign Tasks Time Estimates

By assigning time estimates to tasks, you’re less likely to go over the allotted time. Set a timer to keep you on track and avoid distractions.

Outsource or Delegate Tasks

Outsource tasks like social media marketing or bookkeeping that tend to distract you from higher-priority work. Delegate tasks to other team members when possible too.

Take Breaks Away From Your Desk

Don’t sit at your desk during breaks or you’re likely to get sucked back into work. Step away when taking breaks to fully recharge.

Minimize Meetings

Suggest a quick call instead of a long meeting when possible. For recurring meetings, request they be shortened or less frequent if they’re rarely productive.

Limit Social Media to Breaks

Only check social media during scheduled breaks, not during work time. And set a time limit, such as 10 minutes, to prevent getting carried away.

Check Email Inbox on Schedule

Rather than constant emails, batch your email into morning, lunch, and end-of-day check-ins. Close your email inbox for the rest of the day.

Keep To-Do Lists Current

Maintain an updated to-do list so you always know the next task to tackle. This prevents wasting time deciding what to do next.

Remove Clutter

A clean, organized workspace helps you stay focused and on-task without visual distractions. Minimal clutter also boosts productivity.

The key is trying different distraction-blocking tactics to see what works for you and your work style. Don’t give up if one method fails. Finding the right strategies may take some experimentation.

But once you find what helps you minimize distractions, you’ll notice a huge boost in productivity, focus, and efficiency as an entrepreneur.

How to Stay Focused When Working Remotely

Working from home comes with its own unique distractions. Without co-workers and supervision nearby, it can be especially hard to stay on task if you don’t have discipline.

Luckily, remote work also lends itself well to controlling your environment and limiting distractions. Use these remote work-specific tips to conquer distractions:

Create a Dedicated Home Office – Have a work-only space to mentally separate “home” from “work.”

Set Office Hours – Establish set hours you’re working each day and stick to them.

Get Ready Like You’re Going Into Work – Shower, dress for the office, etc to get in a “work” mindset.

Limit Visitors and Noise – Let family and roommates know when you’re working and can’t be disturbed.

Use Noise Canceling Headphones – Block out household noises like kids, TV, pets, etc.

Don’t Work In High-Traffic Areas – Avoid working in places like the kitchen where people congregate.

Check Email in Batch – Constant inbox-checking kills productivity fast when working remotely.

Disable Distracting App Notifications – Mute non-work apps on your computer and mobile devices.

The keys are setting a schedule, communicating when you’re unavailable, and limiting distractions within your control. It also helps to get ready in the morning like you’re going into an office. Doing so helps you get into the right productive mindset.

Particularly with remote work, you have to be strict about not letting distractions derail you. No one else is managing your time or checking on your progress when you work from home.

Tools to Block Digital Distractions and Boost Productivity

In today’s digital age, technology distractions are inevitable. Fortunately, technology can also help limit distractions through useful productivity tools.

Give these tools a try if distracting websites, apps, emails, or notifications are hampering your productivity:

🔴Freedom – Blocks distracting sites and apps for set time periods

⚫Cold Turkey – Another popular website/app blocker

🔴Forest – An app that grows virtual trees representing time spent focused. If you leave the app, the tree dies.

⚫Serene – Creates a distraction-free “serene space” on your device during work times.

🔴RescueTime – Generates reports showing how you spend time on devices so you can optimize it.

⚫FocusMe – This lets you blacklist distracting sites and limit time on them.

🔴Todoist – A task manager and to-do list app to keep you on track

⚫Dark Mode – Enables a dark background that strains eyes less than bright screens.

The right tools remove digital distractions or make you accountable for wasting time on unproductive activities. Find a combination that best suits your needs and tech habits.

Reevaluating Your Relationship With Technology

For many entrepreneurs, technology is both indispensable for work, but also a major time suck. Finding a healthy relationship with tech is key to managing distractions.

Consider these ways to improve your relationship with technology:

🔴Delete distracting apps from your phone and computer

⚫Turn off non-essential notifications

🔴Check email and social media on a schedule rather than constantly

⚫Use time-limiting or website-blocking apps

🔴Have tech-free areas like the dinner table or bedroom

⚫Set a curfew for work and personal tech use in the evening

🔴Spend more time offline focusing on hobbies, relationships, reading, exercising, etc.

⚫Try segments of time throughout the day using airplane mode on your phone

🔴Go on tech fasts or detoxes from time to time, such as a “Digital Sabbath” one day a week.

The goal isn’t to eliminate technology altogether. However, being intentional about how and when you use devices will help curb distractions.

Finding Balance by Taking Regular Breaks

While distractions should be minimized during work time, breaks are also essential for productivity.

The right breaks give your mind a chance to recharge so you can refocus. Avoid the temptation to work through lunch or back-to-back meetings without some downtime.

Here are some healthy ways to spend your breaks and honor the needed balance:

🔴Take a quick walk outside for some fresh air

⚫Do some light stretches or yoga poses

🔴Meditate or practice deep breathing

⚫Listen to music or a podcast episode

🔴Take a power nap

⚫Snack on energizing healthy foods

🔴Make a cup of tea

⚫Chat with a friend or family member

🔴Read a chapter in a book

⚫Exercise with a workout video or jump rope

🔴Jot down thoughts and ideas in a journal

Ideally, take a break every 90 minutes or so. Short frequent breaks are more beneficial than longer, irregular breaks. Just be sure to set a time limit on breaks so they don’t unintentionally become a distraction themselves.

Staying Focused In a World Full of Distractions

Distractions are a given as an entrepreneur, especially in our highly connected world. Emails, social networks, smartphones, and the internet aren’t going away.

But you can still thrive and excel by implementing distraction-blocking strategies.

Stay self-aware and be honest about what steals your focus. Try different tactics to find what works for you.

Use tools to minimize digital distractions. Create distraction-free zones. Schedule focused time.

Most importantly, prioritize meaningful work over busy work. Limit distractions not just to work more, but to work smarter.

The more distractions you remove, the greater clarity and productivity you’ll achieve. You’ll get more done in less time, meet deadlines, reduce stress, and enjoy your work more.

Don’t let distractions disrupt your entrepreneurial success. Take control and set yourself up for productivity wins each day.

How are you handling your distractions?

TheRachele