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Dismissing Barking Dogs And Other Distractions - Staying On Task For Efficiency
By Bests | April 17, 2008
Telephone interruptions, needy kids, requests from others, getting sidetracked on the internet: If you’re like me, some days you can focus and get things done easily, and other days you jump from one thing to another and can’t seem to finish anything.
Today is a “distraction” day. My dog Scruggs whines incessantly to go out, or barks at people on “his” street. The doorbell rings with a delivery. My plans for writing this newsletter are clearly in jeopardy.
I get hungry and decide to have lunch first – can’t think on an empty stomach. I return to my computer and look through my list of ideas for newsletters. My husband calls to me to help him with something. The newsletter waits to be written.
I come back and sit down at the computer. I’m sleepy because it’s hot and I didn’t get enough sleep last night. My brain says “take a nap.” I decide to get some coffee. On the way back through the dining room to my office, I see my guitar, which calls to me. I ignore the guitar and keep on to my office. That’s one distraction battle won!
Here I am at last, writing the article, finally into it. The ball is rolling now.
So, how can you improve your focus and accomplish the day’s planned tasks, when you have a day like mine?
1. Plan your whole week ahead. Choose what you need to do for the whole week. It allows you more flexibility with your time if distractions do pull you away. Life happens!
2. Make your day’s to-do list the night before. Be very clear about what you want to do, and realistic about the time available to do it. Allow extra time for interruptions ?.
3. Circle (you can even use a red pen!) the top four things you absolutely must get done.
4. Do the hardest tasks at your peak time. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning. Perhaps it’s after lunch.
5. Acknowledge when you are tired, or need a break. Slogging through can be counter-productive when your body and mind need a change. After the break you will be able to work much more productively.
6. Protect your space and time. Turn off your phone ringer and your email alerts if necessary. Close your office door. Use your voice mail, but f you must answer your phone, be ready to tell the caller that you’re not able to talk now and call them later. This is not impolite! It’s good time management.
8. Balance easy things with hard things and short tasks with long tasks. It’s more difficult to go from one long session of work to another. Do a short, easy task in between.
9. Plan a reward for a good work session.
You deserve it!! Now, I think I’ll take a nap.
Patsy Murray is a Professional Organizer and organizing coach working with clients in Watertown, Massachusetts and the greater Boston area. She organizes homes and home offices of people who feel overwhelmed by too many commitments and too much clutter. She helps them manage their time and simplify their lives so they can work more efficiently with more time to enjoy life. For free organizing tips, visit Patsy’s website, http://www.simplelifeorganizers.com
Tags: Distractions, focus, home business, interruptions, planning, time management, weekly planning
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