Have you tried staying focused in a distracting environment and it feels like you can’t really stay committed or seem to be fully present in what you are doing? That’s how frustrating it can be working remotely in a very distracting environment.
Working remotely has completely changed how we approach productivity. Remote work can be attractive because of its flexibility and comfort. Where there’s no commute, no rigid office hours, and we have more control over our day, but with this freedom comes one major challenge, which is “distraction”.
Remote working distractions aren’t just limited to notifications on your phone, but can also come from your family members, chores, responsibilities, desires, and everything else in the world that seem to demand your attention the moment you try to focus and work remotely from the comfort of your home. Remote working has its challenges, but things start to get extra tricky if you also tend to get easily distracted, barring you from doing your best work.
Staying focused in a distracting remote setup can feel impossible. Unlike a traditional office, there are no clear boundaries between work and personal life. This often leads to procrastination, missed deadlines, and a constant struggle to stay productive.
So, how do we stay focused in a distracting remote setup? Let’s find out in this article.
How To Stay Focused in a Distracting Remote Setup
Here’s how to stay focused in order to remain productive. With the right strategies, you can eliminate distractions and regain control of your day.
- Set up a dedicated workspace
Workspace plays a crucial role in how effectively and productively you work. A dedicated workspace helps you separate professional responsibilities from personal life. When you designate a specific area for work, your brain associates that space with productivity, making it easier to stay focused. The more you work from your bed or couch, the worse things get because we associate such places with being comfortable. Over time, it can also blur the boundaries between work and rest, making it harder to unwind after hours. A dedicated workspace really helps avoid distractions by redefining a clear distinction between work and relaxation.
Create an organized space in your home, with a good desk, chair, natural lighting, as well as other office essentials that you will need to stay organized as you work on your day-to-day tasks.
- Establish a clear work schedule
Let’s be honest with ourselves. A poor work schedule or not having a work schedule is typically one of the major reasons for being constantly distracted at work, due to a lack of time management.
Without a clear schedule, work can spill into personal time, and this can cause an endless loop of distractions. However, having a consistent and well-structured routine can help you stay disciplined, and avoid burnout, ensuring that work gets done efficiently. Be sure to start and end your work at the same time every day, and schedule short breaks to reset. A predictable routine will help you reduce uncertainty, making it easier to manage distractions.
- Establish boundaries with family members
Establishing boundaries with family members ensures that your home remains a productive environment. Your home is shared with family members or roommates and without clear communication, constant interruptions can disrupt your workflow. Let them know when you’re working and that you shouldn’t be disturbed, you can stay in a separate room with a closed door, headphones in a noisy home environment, or a “Do Not Disturb” to signify your unavailability. You can also try visual communication, that is, using hand signals or gestures so that they understand not to disturb you while working.
I know it can be tempting to attend to some family expectations, but you can also set specific break times to engage with your family members or your phone notifications to reduce unexpected distractions. It might take some training (for both them and you), but it’s worth it in the long run.
- Avoid digital distractions
One of the strongest distractions for all remote workers is their mobile devices. Most of the time we don’t even know why we unlocked our mobile devices and started scrolling through social media. But you can create a more focused work environment by controlling your digital habits.
Emails, social media, and endless notifications are productivity killers. There is the temptation to check your phone or browse the internet for a few minutes, which could lead to an hour if not well disciplined. Staying in control is the key. If you don’t hear your mobile notification every other second then you will be less distracted from work. So, turn off unimportant notifications on your mobile and computer by visiting settings. You can use your inbuilt phone settings or use apps like Freedom, Stay Focused, Cold Turkey, and Self Control to help reduce distractions and be productive during work hours.
- Stop multitasking and focus on one task at a time
Multitasking may seem like a good way to get more work done, but in reality, it can decrease your productivity and increase your stress levels. Instead, try focusing on one task at a time, giving it your full attention before moving on to the next. This can help you work more efficiently and effectively, without getting overwhelmed or burned out.
Every time you shift focus, your brain has to reorient itself, leading to wasted mental energy and increased errors. Instead of juggling multiple tasks at once, have a To-Do list for each day and prioritize your tasks according to urgency and importance to avoid alternating between too many things at once. By focusing on one task at a time, you can produce higher-quality work in less time.
- Take regular breaks to reset and recharge
Taking regular breaks throughout the day is crucial for maintaining your motivation and productivity. Just sitting for hours without breaks can cause burnout and drain your energy.
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, try stepping out from your workspace to help you refocus. Take a quick walk around your environment, you can stretch, or try taking a deep breath, listening to soft music, or chatting with your family and loved ones for a few minutes. All these key activities give your brain a chance to reset and recharge.
In conclusion, distractions are inevitable, especially when working remotely, but you can avoid these distractions by taking the correct measures and staying in control. Yes, remote work offers freedom, but staying productive requires you to be able to navigate any form of distraction that comes with being a remote worker.
By applying these strategies, you can and will be able to stay focused and become more productive when working remotely. Remember, all you need is staying in control of your day, setting up a good workspace, establishing a clear work schedule, setting boundaries with family members, letting go of multitasking, avoiding digital distraction, and taking time to reset and recharge. Once all these are in place, productivity and efficiency become a necessity.