What to Do When You're Feeling Distracted at Work

Everyone gets distracted from time to time. It can be a problem, though, if you are frequently distracted at work. If you find yourself dealing with this type of problem on a frequent basis, you'll need to work out a few basic solutions. Fortunately, the tactics below should be helpful if you want to make sure that you stay focused on your job.

Figure Out the Cause

Distractions always have a source. If you find yourself distracted at work, try to look for the root cause of the problem. It could be anything from a lack of rest to a lack of socialization outside of work, but your best chance to get rid of distractions is to figure out why they're such a problem in the first place. While there are many different ways to deal with getting distracted at work, most of them do require having some idea of the root cause before you can hope for any type of success.

Give Yourself Goals

It's always a good idea to have goals at work. In fact, a lack of goals at work can often lead to a lack of motivation and can allow distractions to creep in. If you are looking for good ways to stay on task, why not make artificial goals for yourself - the kind that come with very real rewards? If you have a deadline, for example, you might reward yourself with a nice meal out if you manage to get done early. If you can create your own goals, you'll be able to figure out the qualities that best motivate you.

Eliminate Distractions

While you probably can't control everything at work, you may be able to get rid of distractions. One of the better ways to avoid distractions at work is to remove yourself from them as best as possible. If your biggest problem is your phone, for example, try leaving it in your car or in your desk. If you have a problem talking to others, try to work alone as much as possible. If you have the ability to change up your surroundings and eliminate distractions, you might be able to change the way you get your work done. This, in turn, should allow you to be much more productive.

Use Technology

While technology can be a distraction, it can also be a great tool. One of the recommended ways to beat distractions at work is to embrace a productivity program. These can range from simple phone apps that keep track of your time to browser plug-ins that erase your work if you don't keep writing. Obviously, not all programs work well for all people, but taking some time to look at the apps out there will reveal a wealth of great tools that may help you to reduce your ability to get distracted while at work.

Work with Urgency

One of the best ways to avoid distraction is to give yourself a sense of urgency. Instead of simply working on your tasks as they come to you, set deadlines for yourself. Use a time if necessary, but challenge yourself to get your work done professionally and quickly at the same time. Giving yourself this type of challenge will give you a chance to avoid distractions and possibly even make you more interested in your job tasks. Be careful, though, that your attempts to make work seem more urgent don't cause you too much stress on the job.

Take a Break

If all else fails, try to remove yourself from the situation for at least a few minutes. If you're unable to get work done, why not take your break? Clear your head, try to take care of whatever's causing your problems, and come back to work with a renewed sense of purpose. If if you don't have the ability to take a formal break, you may be able to move over to a task that is less important and that requires less brain-power. Your brain may be so busy that you just don't have what it takes to focus on your job at the moment.

It really is possible to figure out a way to solve your distraction-related problems at work. Take some time to look at the root causes and then apply solutions as you see fit. If you are willing to put in some work, you'll find that you'll be less distracted and far more productive during your working day.