Working from the sofa is great, your feet are up and you're in front of the TV - but how much time are you focusing on the task at hand with a distraction? Not very much, stop lying to yourself.
I've tried it and it simply does not work, it halves your productivity at least!
Setting an up work station at a desk or even a table allows you to establish a work mindset 'this it's now time for work'. You can then leave that space for a refreshing break or lunch giving you that separation, allowing you to clear your mind before getting straight back into it.
Remember that setting up a workstation could mean that you have a separate room dedicated solely to you and your work. You will have an ergonomic chair that can help prevent back pain while you are working. Besides this, having an office desk placed appropriately, possibly near a window, could also help you stay focused. You can also create a small workstation on your patio or deck if you like working in an open space. If you have to do basic renovation, you can look for deck builders here online or a local contractor, who can create an alcove facing the backyard. Working within the environment can make you feel refreshed and improve your work productivity.
However, while setting up your workstation, one of the most important things you need to consider is getting a stable Internet connection. For that, you may need to find a reliable Internet service provider in your area. That said, if you are looking for an Internet provider in Lexington, you can simply go to the webpage of Compare Internet and choose an ISP that seems to offer the best service.
Tip #3: Limit your social media habit
It's easy to keep checking Facebook as you don't have the evil stare from colleagues or your boss breathing down your neck - but these things are absolute time saps and give you no benefit what so ever.
Have you ever just scrolled through Facebook and realised that an hour has past? I know I have been guilty of this! I doubt I'm the only one.
You can set your screen time allowances on your phone if you're using an iPhone or there are apps available for Android devices too.
This way you're less tempted to keep checking each time FB beacons you. You can do the same for your PC or Mac where you can block those time consuming apps. If you're like me and you're in the habit of just typing 'face…' into your search bar without even thinking - this will help you!
Mac: SelfControl App
PC: (Chrome App) Self Control
Tip #4: Have healthy eating habits
Ever worked on an empty stomach and thought that was a good idea? Absolutely not. You can't concentrate on the task at hand when there's food in your fridge and none in you.
At the same time, constant snacking can also be a big distraction. Filling up on carb filled snacks, sugary sweets, and saturated fatty fast foods is no way to fuel your brain for several hours of work.
You should eat only at designated mealtimes and it should be a healthy balanced meal too. In addition, consider this review to see if that can help boost your concentration further.
Keeping hydrated is also important for your ability to concentrate. The daily reccomended amount is 8 glasses a day, so keep a water bottle with you while you work.
Tip #5: Set smaller achievable goals
Focus is hard especially if you're bombarded with distractions. You can prepare yourself in every way possible, but distractions are holding back.
Your kids are pulling each others hair, the Tesco food delivery has just arrived and, oh, is that the time? I need to water the peace lily. You sit back down and go 'where was I?'. It's tough. I get it and focuses on one thing at a time can be hard - but essential!
One great tip is setting small goals to aid with motivation. Achieving small tasks quickly has been proven to help keep you motivated for longer and give you a great sense of achievement for the day.
If you have a large task at hand - break that down into chunks of time. Set tasks that are around an hour long that can be achieved. Once you've finished your task or reach the hour - have a 5 minute break, stretch your legs and get the bloody flowing again before proceeding with the task at hand.
Daily meetings set to outline tasks for the day. Mentioning your tasks for the day sets a hard goal in place and will give you more motivation to complete a task knowing that everyone knows what you're supposed to be doing.
Have that person ask you at the end of the day if that was completed? Trust me you'll want to have finished before then to avoid looking lazy or unproductive.
