10 Ideas on Creating a Distraction Free Environment
1. Have a Schedule Where You’re Locked Into Several Hours of Deep Work Every Workday
Some people like using the Pomodoro technique of 25 minute blocks of work followed by a 5 minute break. Personally, it takes me about 20 minutes to really settle in and get going on what I'm trying to work on, so I'd have to block something like 40 minutes of work with a 5-7 minute break.
Experiment with your schedule and find your optimal work rhythm.
2. Quit Playing Games That You Can Easily Access on Your Browser or Phone During Work-Time
If you're having a similar problem, maybe downloading a web blocker for certain websites can work for you. For me however, blocking certain websites has the opposite effect and I become fixated on what I can't have.
The only thing that has worked for me long term is focusing on why I want or need to work on the task in front of me and the consequences of putting it off for too long.
3. Avoid the News as Much as Possible for a at Least 6 Days a Week
You might not be able to change the world, but you can change *your* world.
In my opinion, you should only watch or read enough news so you're aware of the current agenda being pushed, but not so much that you're getting distracted or losing sleep over it.
4. Avoid Social Media Sites Unless Your Job Explicitly Requires That You Use Them
5. Keep a Tidy Workspace
6. Have Clear Goals for What You Want to Do in the Short and Long Term
You can try writing down a brief sentence or two on a blank journal page or a text file about what you want to accomplish at the start of your work session. Something like "I need to write two pages of this report" for a short term goal or "I want to make enough money to move to a better area" for a long term goal are enough.
7. Do Some Kind of Exercise Daily to Promote Circulation and Minimize Restlessness While Working
8. Condition Yourself to Use the Computer (Or Phone) Mainly for Work and Study
When possible, find your sources of entertainment in the real world and try to keep your electronic devices mainly for work and study.
9. Remember That Ultimately, the Work You’re Doing Now Is the Price You’re Paying to Buy Long Term Independence. Work Hard and Smart.
If you work diligently and intelligently, you will progress much faster towards what you want. Haphazardly trying to squeeze required work in between sessions of the latest mobile game or scrolling down lists of viral videos will ultimately end in frustration.
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