How many times a day do you think you get distracted? Well, if you’re like most people, it’s probably a lot. So let’s chat about how to handle distractions.

Today I’m going to dive into the three most common distractions I see and give you ideas to combat them so you will have better focus and productivity. Let’s dive into the three most common distractions, and how you can be more focused.

How to Handle Technology Distractions

Number one is probably no surprise, it’s technology. These days there is so much technology we have information overload, you can scroll through and learn any time of day.

Some ideas to help rein in that scrolling and technology addiction are to set app timers and a distraction-free time. To block apps at certain times of day use the digital wellbeing app on Android, or the Screentime app on Apple. You can find a similar tool online for your browser to track your time and help you stay focused as well.

This is always eye-opening, I highly recommend taking advantage of these tools to help you stay focused and not as distracted by technology.

How to Handle Request Distractions

The second most common distraction I see is other people’s needs. We are so quick to abandon what we’re doing to take care of someone else. I’m not necessarily talking about immediate family and your kids, although it is good to set boundaries there for work time. But I’m also talking about phone calls and emails as they come in.

We feel the need to respond right away. I’ve learned the hard way that can quickly lead to burnout and even resentment. People shouldn’t expect to hear back from you right away, if it takes a couple of hours it’s okay. Everyone has a life outside of their phone or computer, at least hopefully they do.

Set boundaries and decide the rules you want to follow for yourself. When I respond to clients instead of saying, “I’ll do that right away” I say, “I should be able to get to that either tonight or tomorrow.” That way they have a timeline and don’t expect me to drop everything I’m doing to take care of something in their business.

What to do When Your Environment is Distracting

The third and final distraction is our environment. Whether it’s clutter or other people, there is a lot going on. So here are a few ideas to help you focus better in your environment.

The first idea is to change it up. Maybe you just need a change of scenery, go work in a coffee shop or even a different area of your house. Clutter can be distracting, so maybe you need to tidy your area so it is clear and distraction-free. Set a timer for 10 minutes and clean the best you can.

And finally, if you’re having trouble focusing in your environment, you can put in some earphones and listen to focus or instrumental music. There are some really great playlists on YouTube. This type of music helps you block out environmental distractions and get in a zone to focus and get things done.

That covers how to handle distractions and some ideas to combat the most common ones so you can be more focused and productive. We covered technology, others’ needs, and your environment.

Let me know what you find most distracting and what you’re going to do in order to be a little more focused this week.