In the last post in our series, we discussed how to be productive when working remotely. Read this post to hear 5 tips for cutting down distractions which is key for productivity. Even if you do not work from home full time, you will still find some information that can help you become more focused in your everyday tasks.
1. Close the Door
It sounds obvious, but sometimes the simplest actions can produce the biggest results! Wherever in your home you have set aside as your dedicated workspace, make sure you can close the door to the room to keep yourself focused on the task at hand.
2. Organize Your Workspace
When your desk is cluttered, it can be hard to stay focused or find the things you need to complete your work. Even taking a couple minutes at the end of each day to tidy up can make a significant difference. The same principle applies to organizing the workspace on your computer. Develop a system for naming documents and do not fall into the trap of having a ridiculous amount of browser tabs open when they aren’t needed!
3. Turn Off Notifications
Notifications can be helpful (especially for appointment reminders), but they can also interrupt the flow of your work if you get too many. If you already have a habit of regularly checking your email, do you need to hear that sound every time you get a new one? Do you really need alerted every time something happens on social media? Consider where you can cut down on notifications or turn them off altogether.
4. Use Time Blocking
Time blocking simply means setting aside certain periods of time within your day, week, or month to work on specific tasks or types of tasks. Rather than jumping from one task to the next, time blocking allows you to plan what you will work on and for how long. It takes a little more preparation up front but keeps you from wasting time wondering what to work on or what your priority should be now. You can even utilize a timer, so you are not distracted by looking at the clock.
5. Set Boundaries with Family During Work Hours
Finally, if you work from home, you will need to have some boundaries in place if your spouse or other family members are around during your work hours. Depending on the work you are doing, those boundaries may mean defining certain hours you should not be disturbed, establishing a closed/open door policy to communicate whether it is ok to interrupt, or even creating a sign to hang outside the door. On the note of distractions—try to give your full attention to your family when you are off work so that they do not feel like they are competing with your job.
—Ashley DeVore, Director of Operations
Do you need help getting organized or developing a time blocking system to tackle your workload? Schedule an initial consultation here to learn how our Operations Consulting Services can help improve your business!
Looking to connect with others working in agriculture? Join our Facebook group The AgBiz Community.