Professional Development Work-Life Balance

How to Avoid the Biggest Workplace Distraction

How to Avoid the Biggest Workplace Distraction
Written by Sheryl Posnick

So many hours in a day, but never enough time to get things done… or so it seems. In reality, the hours that comprise a workday are often plenty of time to complete your tasks.

According to CareerBuilder, 4 of the top 5 productivity killers at work are tech-based: email, texting, Internet surfing, and social media. Little moments here and there of checking your phone or browsing on Twitter can add up to hours of wasted time. Your first step? Take one week to carefully log how you spend each and every moment of your day. Then, add up your non-work-related tech time. You might be surprised at how it’s eating away from your work day.

Next, aim to cut back. Put your phone on silent or “Do Not Disturb” mode, only allowing emergency contacts to reach you during work hours. Then, divert yourself from the call of social media. When you find yourself loading up Facebook or Instagram, walk away. Take a super-quick walk around the office to clear your mind and get back on track. When you sit back down, it’s back to work you go.

Of course, most workplaces do come with a barrage of email you are obligated to tackle. Set aside 10 minutes every hour to do nothing but read, sort, and answer email. Unless it’s urgent, don’t answer or read your email until then–focus on completing tasks instead.

A combination of poor time management and electronic distraction often suck up your time until you’re left with a pile of uncompleted work. Figure out where your time is going and transform wasted hours into productivity.

Your Top 10 Productivity Killers And How To Fix Them

Read More at Fast Company

About the author

Sheryl Posnick

Sheryl Posnick is an editor and writer living in Brooklyn, NY. She is the founder and president of Red Letter Content, an editorial company with a focus on educational, test preparation, and career readiness materials.