10 Tips to Kill Distractions and Increase Your Focus
Distractions are everywhere. Whether it is your smartphone, your computer, or your smartwatch, it is important to kill distractions and focus on the tasks at hand. Here are a few simple ways to do this.Distractions are all around us. But hyper-connectivity should not come at the expense of your productivity.
Try a Distraction-Free Phone
Turn your smartphone into a distraction-free phone by deleting social media apps, games, and streaming apps like YouTube
- You can turn back the clock to a simpler time when it was easier to unplug and sustain attention while also enjoying the best of modern technology
Deal with Email at the End of the Day
Treat your email like old-fashioned letters that were used to deliver to you once a day
Make TV a “Sometimes Treat”
Watch TV occasionally.
Start on Paper
Paper is a simple way to write or draw.
- Put away your computer or tablet and pick up a pen to begin working on your project
- Screen time is wasted, time that could be spent on finishing your work
- Use a pen and paper
Skip the Morning Check-In
Everyone gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense. Avoid turning on your phone at the first sign of a new notification or an event.
- A minute of checking your phone could extend to an hour if you are not careful.
Make a “Random Question” List
If you feel the need to browse anything from the internet or check any social media update, write that down on paper. You can browser that thing later when you go out of your focus mode.
Cancel the Internet
Unplug when you want to do a task that doesn’t require internet.
Be Slow to Respond
Do not reply immediately to every email and message. Reply within hours, days, and sometimes weeks.
Clear Your Homescreen
Move all icons from your home screen so it goes completely blank. It should only display your wallpaper.
- In this way, you are less likely to be tempted to click an app icon in the hopes of seeing something you already know, such as your contacts.
Wear a wristwatch
This will stop you from turning to your phone for checking the time so you will not be pulled into distractions
- If you wear a watch, you can keep your smartphone out of sight and it is easier to ignore
- A cheap watch will do as long as it shows time
Avoid the Lure of Fancy Tools
There is no perfect tool or app for productivity