8 Top Tips to Help You Develop Laser like Focus and Banish Distractions

Are you tired of struggling to stay focused on your tasks and goals? Do distractions constantly pull you away from what you’re supposed to be doing? Developing laser-like focus is crucial for productivity and success in any area of life.

Everyone knows that to be successful you need to find ways to increase your productivity. That means focusing on the task at hand and blocking out distractions so you can more effectively complete your work, project or meeting.

However, in this digital world with constant alerts coming at us from every direction, it has become harder than ever to stay laser-focused on the task at hand and keep those pesky distractions at bay. Here are seven tips that will help you banish distractions and focus on what matters most:

Turn off all notifications while working

People tend to treat their inboxes like a to-do list and constantly keep checking it. If you work in a digital environment and have emails coming in, make sure you turn off notifications when working. This way you’ll be less tempted to check your inbox.

It is important to separate your work time from your inbox time, so you don’t get distracted by emails when you should be completing your most important tasks.

Create a to-do list and work from it

There are two types of people: thinkers and doers. If you are a thinker, you can make a list of what you need to do and follow that – otherwise, you can just make a note on your phone.

If you write down your tasks, you make them more real, and will be more likely to get them done. If you use your phone to make a list, you can set a reminder to pop up every few hours to remind you what you need to do next.

Use technology to limit distractions

We are constantly bombarded with other types of distractions that divert our attention away from what we are trying to accomplish. If you are working from a shared space, invest in noise-cancelling headphones. You can also try a pair of earbuds that have a noise-cancelling feature. Just make sure you keep the volume low so as not to disturb others.

If you use a computer for work, try a browser extension like StayFocusd to restrict the amount of time you spend on websites that are time-wasters.  StayFocusd allows you to block certain websites for a certain amount of time.

If you work in a shared office environment and are easily distracted, try installing an app like Focus Keeper – Time Management to help you focus.  The app, “Focus Keeper helps you keep your productivity high avoiding burnout using the timer.” 

Banish your most hated tasks first

If there is a task that you absolutely despise, block it out first. For example, if you are a writer and you absolutely hate editing, do that first. That way you know that it’s done and out of the way, so you can move on to the other tasks more easily.

If there is a certain task that you know is time-consuming, block it out first. For example, if you are a salesperson and you know that researching new leads can take hours, do that first. That way you know that task is out of the way and you can move on to the other things more easily.

Block out your favorite productivity times

We all have certain times that work better for us than others. Maybe you are a morning person, or the middle of the day works best for you. Or maybe you are the type of person who prefers to work late in the evening.

No matter who you are, you need to find your productivity sweet spot and then block it out. If you know that you work better in the evening, schedule your less important tasks for that time.

So, practice, practice, and practice some more with time blocking. It is a powerful technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time for different activities.

You will allocate dedicated time slots for important tasks, meetings, and breaks. By setting aside uninterrupted time for focused work you can eliminate distractions and make significant strides in your productivity.

Banish physical & digital distractions as well

If you are in a shared office or co-working space, try to sit away from the noise, traffic and other distractions.

Try to create a little oasis for yourself where you can remain focused and not get distracted by other people talking, the music playing or the general noise of the outside world.

If you have your own office, make sure to close the door when you need to focus. Find a balance between being social and being able to focus.

Digital distractions can be detrimental to your focus. Limit your exposure to social media, email notifications, and other digital interruptions.

Consider using website blockers or productivity apps to temporarily block access to distrating websites or apps during designed work periods. This way you can stay focused and avoid getting caught up in the online world.

Don’t overcommit yourself

While you might think that overcommitting yourself is a good thing because you are helping to increase your productivity, this is not always the case.

Taking one project at a time, but at the same time, you also need to know when to say no to other tasks or projects.

If you know that you don’t have enough time to complete the projects that are already on your plate, do not take on new things.  If you have too many things on your plate and don’t have enough time to complete them, your productivity will suffer, and you will not be able to give any of your project justice.

One Project at a Time

You might think that multi-tasking is a good thing because it increases your productivity. However, research shows that when we try to do too many things at once, our productivity suffers.

And yes, I have suffered in the I can do five things at once, only to get to the end of the day and still have to carry those same projects over because I did not complete not even one.

Conclusion

Finally, even though it is a challenge, you do not need to be a slave to your to-do list, but you do need to stay on top of it. The constant influx of information, notifications, and stimuli can easily divert your attention from the tasks at hand.

But, with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to develop laser-like focus and banish distractions. This will help you to stay focused, and your productivity will increase.  When you are better at managing your time and increasing your productivity, you will have more time to do the things you love and be more effective while doing them.