How Do I Deal with Distractions?
People who know me personally would probably find it amusing if I gave any advice on this topic. Yes, I confess that I get distracted very easily—so much so that sometimes I struggle to trace back exactly where I started. I remember having 15 windows open on my screen, more than 20 emails stacked on top of each other, and numerous messages on my messenger, all while receiving more information from WhatsApp groups.
The effects of distractions are so exhausting; it’s stressful just to keep track of everything cluttering up my screen and to manage all that’s still pending.
But there’s a silver lining to this challenge: I’ve become quite aware of the many ways I can get distracted. This awareness might help others recognize similar patterns and take steps to mitigate them.
The Common Causes and Suggestions:
• Curiosity About the New: When something new pops up on the screen, my mind instantly shifts toward it. Once it grabs my attention, I'm pulled away from my previous task.
Suggestion: Create a focused environment. Keep distractions away while working on a task that requires your full attention.
• Tiredness: My mind often seeks a break when it’s exhausted from working on one task for too long.
Suggestion: Plan regular breaks and engage in non-focused activities like stretching, breathing exercises, or walking.
• Boredom: When the task at hand is not interesting, my mind tends to wander.
Suggestion: Combine the task with something else, such as coworking or listening to music, to make it more engaging.
• Digital Overload: With constant notifications from emails, social media, apps, and instant messaging, our devices are designed to grab our attention.
Suggestion: Turn off non-essential notifications and set specific times for checking emails and social media.
• Multitasking: The desire to multitask often leads to decreased productivity and increased distraction, as the mind gets habituated to shifting tasks.
Suggestion: Prioritize tasks and focus on one at a time.
Regards,
Sundar