As entrepreneurs and small business owners, there are a number of ways to gain more time. One of the biggest ways is to address productivity distractions. There are many distractions that hit us all day every day. Some of them are easier to deal with than others.
Before reading through this list, I want to encourage you to embrace the possibilities. Not all productivity distractions can be avoided but many can. I’ve helped my clients manage distractions they swore were just a part of doing their job. Be open to the idea that you may be hanging on to your distractions as an excuse for not getting more done.
7 Key Productivity Distractions to Avoid
1. Cell Phones
While these devices can be invaluable time savers, they can also be infuriating productivity distractions. Its not just the calls and texts we have to worry about. We also get notifications for everything! Consider going airplane mode during certain periods of the day when you need to focus on work. Even if you feel you need to answer every call for fear of losing business, this can be effective. Just be sure to be diligent about returning calls immediately after your quiet time has ended.
2. Social Media
This one is obvious. Most of us know we get caught up in too much Facebook or spend too much time watching cute animal videos on YouTube.
3. Clutter and chaos
While some people really do seem to thrive in having piles all over their desks, most of us just need better systems. The clutter isn’t really ideal, its just the lesser of the evils. When you have piles of stuff, they serve as constant reminders of what you could or should be working on but it all just feels too overwhelming to get started. Create a system for dealing with the piles. Then you know what’s there WHEN its time to work on them and not when you should be focused on other things.
4. You’ve Got Mail
When it was only once or twice a day, that little notice was nice. Now we easily receive a hundred or more emails DAILY! The pop up notices that tell us we have a new email are distracting and unnecessary. Turn them off and get in the habit of checking your email no more than 3 to 4 times per day. Most people are not expecting you to be at your computer hitting the refresh button every 5 seconds waiting for their response.
5. Last minute meetings
While there are a handful of professions that thrive on being available to their prospects at the last minute, most of us can say no to these spur-of-the-moment productivity distractions. Even for those that do need to take them, building some cushion into your schedule for them can allow you to avoid feeling overwhelmed when they come up.
6. Chasing the numbers
Are you a data driven kind of person? Do you spend more time looking at your numbers than you do attempting to increase them? While it is important to measure and track your progress, remember that this is the kind of activity that should be performed in the non-peak hours and not constantly through out the day.
7. The Family and Friends
Whether you are a home based business or work from an office, being an entrepreneur or small business owner means people you know will think you can drop everything to take care of their needs. It might be the mom that drops in wanting to go shopping or the kids that come home from school and start yelling for you to be the referee. Take some time to set specific boundaries and discuss with the ones that are most involved.
Of course, you are a unique person with a unique set of distractions that are keeping you from getting more done. If you are ready to uncover some of your own distractions, check out my complimentary Conquer the Clock Strategy session. Ill help you uncover some of whats taking up your time!