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In this world of innumerable distractions, it is very easy to be taken hold by any one of them and just lose sight of all that should have stayed a priority. Here are some hopefully helpful steps and hints to becoming more task oriented everyday.

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EditSteps

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    Discipline yourself to know when it is time to work, and when it is time to play.
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    If you are on any kind of medication for ADHD or similar disorders, take it as recommended by your doctor! Some studies have shown that a good diet can reduce ADHD symptoms, so research what foods can help manage symptoms.
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    Get the proper amount of sleep. Sleep experts recommend 7-8 hours on average. When you are tired and fatigued, focusing can become difficult. You can even become counter-productive in your efforts to get things done by introducing mistakes into your work.
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    Shut off your cell-phone.
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    Inform the people around you and friends that may try to contact you that you need some peace and quiet to complete some work and shouldn't be disturbed.
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    Outline what it is that needs to be done.
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    Think ahead to what could be a distraction and try to distance yourself from it.
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    Asking your sibling or parent for help is not a distraction if they are helping you with your work.
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    Try and set a goal to last a week without those distractions, like this:
    • Make a list of all those distractions in your life and place it somewhere in plain view. Then set a goal such as, "after this week is over I will allow myself one whole day of whatever I desire." Sounds pretty good, eh?
    • Start in the morning after a refreshing sleep with some motivation quote and a healthy breakfast.
    • Make a schedule in your mind as to what you have to accomplish today and stick to your schedule. Make deadlines for each item on your schedule that are reasonable to keep you busy for the whole day.
    • If you feel the urge to distract yourself with one of those delicious distractions take a moment to think, do I really want to waste such precious time on this distraction?
    • Use determination to prove to yourself that you can live one week without those distractions.
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EditTips

  • Listening to music is fun but if you have to waste time manually starting it over every time, you can listen to it after you are done.
  • Using a daily planner is a good way to stay on task and know what you need to accomplish.
  • If something of higher priority pops up in the middle of your assignment, deal with it as quickly and efficiently as possible to get back to your original assignment.
  • Negotiate deadlines. Work with your colleagues to make sure deadlines for projects and tasks are realistic. This reduces pressure for everyone involved. If something falls behind, renegotiate the deadlines to ensure the project is completed with as little stress as possible.
  • Set objectives for yourself. If you know the assignment is going to take a while, then set certain "checkpoints" that when you complete them, you get a reward of some goof-off time or whatever works for you personally.
  • Consider the amount of time that would be necessary to finish your task and set aside a part of your day to finish it. This prevents disorganization and will allow you to have more time to do other things.
  • If you have more then one assignment that needs to be done, do them one at a time. Going back and forth will only waste time.

EditWarnings

  • Do not force someone to do this. A person other than yourself has the right to choose what they do and do not want to give up. This should be tried only by the individual who is reading this article and wants to prove that it is possible to live a week without those distractions!
  • Not receiving your friends calls/texts could lower their opinion of you.
  • Blowing off family members tends to make them dislike you.
  • Listening to an iPod can help some people block out other random noises, but singing along with the music and getting distracted is pretty counter productive.

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EditSources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Improving Productivity

Recent edits by: Hailey Girges, Maluniu, Chris

In other languages:

Español: Cómo evitar las distracciones, Русский: не отвлекаться

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