No matter what your work setup looks like, there will always be something to distract you from your work. This problem is likely to be compounded in a work-from-home arrangement where your phone, pets, and other distractions are always within arm’s reach, resulting in a loss of focus. When you lose focus, you cannot complete your work on time, resulting in a delay. If you are a business owner, this issue can affect your company’s performance. After all, as the saying goes, “Time is money”.
With many companies still adopting a work-from-home mandate to combat the spread of COVID-19, employers are seeing a decline in the productivity of their employees. The lack of physical office space and work conversations has disintegrated the work structure that keeps everyone collectively on task. So does this mean you can’t be productive when you are working from home? Well, the answer is no – you just have to be disciplined and avoid any distractions. Let us share several things you can do to prevent distractions and regain your focus on work.
1. Schedule your time properly
Being focused on your work is all about being organised. To keep your concentration, you need to know what you have to do next all the time. Hence, breaking down the various tasks that you need to complete and fitting them into a schedule is something you should consider. Allocating your time for the multiple tasks at hand is one great way to avoid distractions. By breaking down your day into defined blocks of time, you are reducing your chances of getting distracted.
To ensure this method is effective, allocate yourself moments to rest in between your work schedule. You can consider catching up with your colleagues or employees via chat platforms such as Microsoft Teams and talking about non-work-related topics. Alternatively, you can take a walk or munch on a snack to recharge your energy. After a quick break, head back and proceed with the tasks you have left.
2. Do some warm-up exercises for your brain
It is fine to take a short moment to collect your thoughts before starting work. This is actually recommended, as it allows you to warm up your brain before you start checking off all the things on your to-do list. By allowing your brain to loosen up beforehand, you are likely to be more motivated and less tempted by distractions. Doing warm-up exercises for your brain is also a great way to avoid burning yourself out from work.
3. Break large projects into small tasks
It is easy to get distracted when you are overwhelmed by the various large projects on your to-do list. When work gets overwhelming, it can induce pressure and stress on a person, tempting them to engage in distractions to avoid thinking about the tasks at hand.
If you wish to avoid this, consider breaking up your large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Checking off the smaller tasks bit by bit is a great way to keep yourself focused and inspired. Completing a mini task in a shorter period of time will give you the encouragement you need to complete the remaining work at hand. Moreover, breaking your large projects into smaller milestones will allow you to schedule your time better.
4. Turn your phone off
Our smartphones are one of the biggest distractions, especially in a work-from-home setup. Indeed, there is nothing more distracting than the frequent notifications from your mobile phone. Unscheduled calls and text messages are some of the major culprits that keep you from finishing your work on time. Therefore, if you want to concentrate during work hours, it is best to turn your phone off or set it on silent mode.
5. Block out the noise
Many people find it challenging to concentrate in a noisy environment. Noise can prevent you from thinking straight, and it may sometimes irritate you to the point of stress. When you are working from home, there is a higher chance of you being exposed to noises. Whether your new neighbours are renovating their apartment or the neighbour’s kids are creating a ruckus while horse playing around, there are plenty of distractions to keep you from concentrating on your work. If you are experiencing these issues regularly, you may want to invest in a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
One last thing to note
Even as you are avoiding distractions at home to focus on your work, it is essential for you to keep an eye on your company’s finances. Keeping abreast of your business’s financial situation is especially paramount given the current economic climate. However, if you find yourself overwhelmed with work, you should consider outsourcing your accounting needs to a specialised accounting firm. At Ackenting Group, we provide a suite of professional accounting services tailored to your company’s needs. Allow our seasoned team of accountants to provide you with timely and accurate financial reports so you can stay on top of your company’s finances.
Conclusion
Distractions are a part of life and can be a good thing if taken in small doses. However, allowing too many distractions can disrupt your work process and significantly reduce your productivity and efficiency, resulting in poor business performance. If you want to keep your work performance at an optimal level, ensure you stay disciplined by organising your work and avoiding frequent interruptions as much as possible.
If you require any assistance on accounting services, feel free to drop us an email at johnwoo@ag-singapore.com or contact us at +65-66358767. At Ackenting Group, we offer a complimentary 30 minutes online consultation for us to better understand your business requirements.
