Sometimes, it seems, every time you sit down to work, an incoming email notification goes off on your phone, or a roommate suddenly walks in telling you about the problem. Busy people have to experience a lot of distractions or distractions, and learning to manage those things can be a challenge. But it shouldn't have to be like that. You can learn to prioritize tasks and find the things that require your most attention, then plan to work on the most important things on your to-do list with minimal distractions.
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Part 1 of 3: Prioritizing Tasks
Step 1. Write down everything you need to do
If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and unfocused, making a list is the easiest and quickest way to simplify and help you make a plan to get things done. To learn to focus on what you need to focus on right now and put everything else behind you, make a list of the things that are pressing on your mind.
- Short-term tasks should be urgent? What to do today, or by the end of the week? You set the time frame, but try and keep it as urgent as possible.
- Long-term goals are also important, but only if you can translate them into a specific short-term to-do list that you can do if "Being a Doctor" is on your list of long-term goals, and stressing you out, is not something you can finish before have lunch. But you can start doing medical school research.
Step 2. Sort the list
How you rank tasks that are important and prioritize them will depend on you and the list you're writing, but there are ways to do it and make your job easier. Don't spend too much time fiddling with the list, use your instincts and put them in order so you can start working on them. One way is the method A, B, C which divides the tasks by:
- A: Must do, very important task to be completed today. Example: complete today's report by the 4:30 deadline.
- B: Tasks that don't need to be done quickly, but will eventually go to priority "A". Example: Collect all tax documents to file next month.
- C: The least important task, but it needs to be done. Example: Shredding copies of files.
- Arrange according to importance. Determine the most important tasks on the list and place them at the top of the list, ordering them according to how critical they are to you. So you have to write today's paper, do the laundry, and return the RedBox DVD, the tasks should be in that order.
- Arrange according to difficulty. For some, putting the most difficult tasks ahead and working on them first is the best way to complete a to-do list, while others choose to work on the smaller ones first and move up to the bigger ones. It may be easier to focus on reading a chapter in history after you've finished your math homework.
Step 3. Estimate the time it will take you to complete each task
Next to each task, it is helpful to write an estimate of the time it will take to complete it. Again, don't spend too much time calculating, or get stressed over these details. You don't have to write down exact numbers, just divide each item into a "Quick" or "Long" category so you know when to do each task.
If you know you won't be able to finish all your history research and in ten minutes you have to start something else, you can put it in the back of your mind, and just do something else with the time you have. Start doing the laundry, or write a thank-you note to someone you're about to meet. That's how to use your time wisely
Step 4. Choose the first thing you have to do
After considering the timing and importance of a task, you can put something at the top of the list. Determine if the task requires your attention right now and put it on the list. It may be the most important on the list, or the most urgent in time, but whatever it is, it's a task that you should work through to completion, or sufficient for your purpose.
Step 5. Get rid of the list
Trust yourself in realizing that you've made a to-do list that you can put aside and let it sit for a while. Once you know the task you need to do right now, and holding onto the list will keep you on your toes and will distract and scatter your thoughts. Save the list, in a drawer, or somewhere else you won't see it. Nothing else matters right now than the top task on your list.
Laptop reminders are a good tool that many people use on their laptops, but consider hiding them when you need to focus on one thing. Don't stress about the party you need to organize later when you're writing your term paper. Get lists out of your mind by hiding them from your sight
Step 6. Create a "Don't Do" List
Make a list of things that won't happen right now. As counterintuitive as it is, removing tasks from your mind's list helps you free yourself to do the things you really need to do. For example:
- You will work overtime. So you won't be cooking for dinner later that day.
- Your running team meeting collides with the yearbook meeting. You can't do both at the same time.
Part 2 of 3: Eliminate Distractions
Step 1. Find a quiet place to work
Working in a place where your mind and body are not distracted by TV, other people's conversations and chatter, etc. is really important for learning to focus. Sometimes it's tempting to think that sitting in the common room or living room with your roommates or with your family is a better and less stressful way of working, but in the end you'll end up spending twice as much time and half the work. the quality it should be. When you need to do something that demands your attention, step into a quiet corner of your room, or head to the library.
If you can't work in a quiet place, you can buy headphones that reduce noise to help get rid of the chatter around and focus on what you're doing, whatever it may be. If you don't want expensive headphones, look for white noise generators online, to make background music or background static sound mask the conversations happening around you
Step 2. Turn off and save your phone
It's not just calls and texts that will annoy you, but social network updates, incoming emails, Words with Friends challenges pop up on your phone every five seconds. Nothing is more annoying than a cell phone. Turn it off and save it when you need to focus.
- Setting your phone on silent still makes it easy to check. Better to put it physically in a place that makes it difficult to reach. When you work in your space, charge your phone in another room.
- If your phone is proving to be very annoying, consider removing time-consuming apps on your phone. You don't really need Facebook and Twitter on your phone.
Step 3. Set a specific amount of time to do something
When you are about to start, look at the clock. How much time do you have to work? How long will it take to complete the project? How much time can you take to work on it today? Determine how long you will work on the task and get started.
Schedule regular breaks. Generally work 50 minutes, then use 10 minutes to get up, walk around, grab a drink, and anything else for a while. It would be less tempting to watch a funny video on YouTube right now because you know you will have the same opportunity again in the next 20 minutes, don't feel guilty about it
Step 4. Make sure you don't spend time online
Most people work on computers, which is an unsettling place for many. Your paper sits next to Facebook, wikipedia, and Buzzfeed, which means how deeply you concentrate on a good assignment, writing, research, or anything else that requires your digital attention, strays away so long hours of YouTube viewing is just a click away. Learn to be aware of habits that take up your time and try to get rid of them.
- The easiest way not to play in cyberspace is to turn off the internet. Turn off your WiFi connection so you can't log on and waste time playing online.
- StayFocused, Anti-Social, LeechBlock, and Cold Turkey are all the barriers you can put up when you have to use the internet to get your work done. This will block certain sites, or your connection for a certain amount of time which you can customize. If you have trouble with this, you can try it.
Step 5. Optimize your social media and email filters
Sometimes you mean well but still social media attracts you. We say to ourselves, "I have five minutes, let's just look at Facebook for a moment," and the next hour you're still sitting in front of your friend/enemy's high school vacation photo that happened six years ago. How could this happen?
- Mute or unsubscribe from all your friends on social media which doesn't enrich your experience. If you become annoyed by your childhood friend's anti-government statements on Facebook, don't spend time reading them. Just block, or better yet, unfriend all the shadow friends on your social network. Focus on more important things.
- Organize your email so it doesn't alert you every time something new comes in, and organize your work and personal emails into separate folders or separate accounts to help keep things organized. You don't have to worry about wasting time replying to emails from your grandmother while you work if you don't see them until later. Email shouldn't demand immediate attention.
Step 6. Direct the emotional diversion
Not all distractions or distractions are related to You Tube. Sometimes, you're focused on reading an English assignment novel and suddenly your ex pops into your head. Game over. If you find yourself distracted by feelings of anxiety, or emotional routines, learn how to recognize your habits and deal with them when they happen again.
If you find yourself distracted by wandering thoughts, don't try and tell yourself to stop, give yourself some time to rest. Saying, "Don't think about the pink elephant (big thoughts or things that are hard to get rid of)" will always put that elephant in your mind. Allow yourself to think about it for a minute, allow yourself to be distracted, then get it out of your system of thought
Part 3 of 3: Going Through the Things on the List
Step 1. Do some form of meditation every day
Taking a few minutes a day to sit still and contemplatively complete can reduce stress levels, help you focus, and your thoughts are quite fast that can distract you later when you should be working. If you're struggling with wandering thoughts, practice meditation a few times until you can, then build a habit that works for you.
Meditation does not need chants and incense. Meditation is the opposite of complexity. Make a cup of coffee or tea and drink it on your terrace and watch the sun rise every morning. Morning walk in the park and sit on the bench. Just sit. Don't use this time to think about what you need to do. Use this time to just sit down
Step 2. Sit in the same place every day
For some people, establishing regular habits helps channel productivity. If you always go to the same coffee shop, or always sit in the same spot on the couch doing your work, you'll be more productive, more focused, and less distracted by the new environment you're in every time you have to do something. Choose a place, and make it your workplace.
Alternatively, if staying in one place at the office makes you feel uneasy, go elsewhere. Find a different coffee shop every day and let the sounds of conversation in the background and the new pastries refresh you. Variety sometimes makes people more focused
Step 3. Wait until you feel friction, then walk away
Davi Carr, a New York Times columnist likes to keep writing and pushing until he feels himself slowing down, until his focus on work begins to decline. At this point, continuing to work will be unproductive.
Instead of banging your head against the wall, put your project down for a bit. Go out. Walk with your dog. Walk aimlessly around the complex for 10 minutes. Grab a coffee and think about the problem you're having, but without the ability to play it. When your break is over, your mind is refreshed
Step 4. Include a physical component in your break
No one can or should sit in front of a computer for 10 hours straight. When you get a chance to take a break, it's important to use that time to do something physical. Move around. Get up and go for a walk, even if you don't have a goal.
- It may sound shallow, but putting a dumbbell in the office that you can use regularly while you read can help you remember more of your reading material. Studies show short exercises help retain memories.
- Eat a snack. Low blood sugar can keep you from working well, so a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit in the afternoon can boost your energy and help you get back to work and focus.
Step 5. Celebrate each achievement
When you finish something on your list, celebrate it for a while. Even if you're just tapping yourself on the shoulder or crossing a job off your list, take a minute to do something that relaxes you. You have the right to do so.
- Use small celebrations for everyday things. When you finish the day's project, cross it off the list and pour yourself a glass of wine. Or tear up the entire list and burn it. You're done!
- Delight yourself to great accomplishments. Go to a good restaurant when you've completed all your university applications, or treat yourself to a tough long-term project.
