When you set yourself new challenges and you don't advance, the normal thing is that the excuse is: I do not have enough time. But, what if it wasn't a problem of time and yes attention. We are so used to distractions that we think it is normal. Therefore, we should put a solution as soon as possible.
Lack of time or lack of attention?
Distractions surround us. The telephone, the computer and even the work or study environment expose us to multiple distractions at the end of the day. What if a notification from a messaging application, a new email that comes in, a call or the classic "you have a minute for something quick". All of this affects us and prevents you from being able to stay focused for a long time.
What's more, it would be interesting for you to analyze yourself and see how long you are able to last with your attention focused on a single task one hundred percent. You may be surprised to see that no more than 15 or 20 minutes, sometimes not even that.
The problem of distractions is something that we have generated together by embracing technologies such as notifications push , with that feeling that we must review what is happening on social networks for fear of "missing" something, or that simply if we do not answer at the moment we will be rude.
Of course, if you want to move forward with your projects, have real free time and improve your concentration we must attack the problem of distractions. Because these are the ones that directly affect what you may think is your biggest problem to be productive: time management.
How to say goodbye to distractions
Saying goodbye to distractions is as easy as turning your bedroom light on or off. You simply have to touch the appropriate switch and not be tempted to think that it would be better to turn it on than… Don't worry, nothing will happen, and if it is for really important issues, there are ways to maintain that contact.
Therefore, the first thing is to identify what distracts you during your day. If you are in the office or school: are they your colleagues? The phone? The notifications? Well, give it a solution.
- Accustom people who work or study with you not to bother you when: you have headphones on, they see you concentrating or at certain periods of time or hours. It's not easy, but it's a great first step.
- Equally or more important is delete all those notifications of your mobile phone that do not add value to your work. Furthermore, if you can "walk away" from the phone by placing it face down, turning off sounds and any other indicators, do so.
- On your computer start only essential applications. And if you use some Slack type, take advantage of the status functions to silence notifications for periods of time.
- Manages the consultation of social networks at specific times and during an exact time. What gives you time to see well and what not, calm down because you will not miss anything that changes your life. And if you notice that you have many contacts in networks, it is still time to filter and keep what really contributes to you.
- Practice concentration for short periods of time and then increase them
- Take advantage of the new features of current OS to find out what you spend your time on each day/week. You will be able to obtain useful information to know where to attack first.
Ready, with these simple steps you will be able to manage distractions better how much time they steal from you throughout the day. If you also do a weekly review to see what continues to fail, where you have succeeded and what you can vary to better suit your needs, even better.
Logically everyone must adapt everything to their needs. But doing all or a large part of what is proposed is something that can bring you multiple benefits. And you shouldn't worry about that fear of missing something or not being connected when you need it.
For example, on mobile phones you can configure in settings that certain people can contact you and the device emits a sound to alert you. But use it with contacts that are really important, such as a relative, the children's school, etc.
If, as with other things, you are able to create a habit, we guarantee that it will change the way you work, study, and enjoy the day. Not doing so will not be an impediment to continue advancing and creating things, but you will always have the feeling of running out of time, with your tongue hanging out. And no, you can't manage or handle time, it is your attention that can be controlled.
Finally, if your problem is video games and you enjoy them on Xbox or Windows, these options to control screen time they will interest you.