6 Tips to Avoid Getting Sidetracked When Working Digitally
The online world is full of distractions. And so, staying on top of your priorities while working digitally can be a great challenge. Rather than losing focus and being swayed by the many distractions lurking on the internet, there are multiple simple habits you can apply to maximize your focus and prevent getting distracted.
Here’s a list of practices and tips you can use to sustain your focus and boost your productivity when working digitally.
1. Keep Your List of Priorities Handy
You’re not alone if your desktop is cluttered with open tabs when working. This presents a range of problems, from being unable to find resources to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. But among these problems is the danger of becoming out of touch with your priorities and failing to get tasks done.
Keeping a list of priorities is one effective solution to ensure you’re keeping on track at work. But if your list isn’t accessible, you’ll likely forget about what you should be working on.
Notezilla is a powerful sticky note desktop application that will help your priorities stick. This app allows you to stick notes to your desktop with itsStay on topfeature. To use this feature, simply click the pin icon in the taskbar above a sticky note as shown below:
Keeping your list of tasks in sight will help remind you of what you’re aiming for in your digital work session and prevent you from getting sidetracked. For further emphasis, it’s possible to also set reminders for sticky notes by clicking the menu icon in the top left corner of a note.
Download:Notezilla forWindows(Free, subscription available)
2. Remove Browser Bookmarks
Bookmarks are a useful way to access websites fast. But in the case of distracting apps like YouTube and social media sites, accessibility is not always a good thing to optimize for.
The bookmarks bar (located beneath the URL box) seen in many web browsers is one of the most dangerous and accessible tools for accessing distracting links. Removing bookmarks in Chrome and Microsoft Edge is simple:
Pushing distracting sites out of your regular view will make them harder to access. It will remove any temptation to click away from your work and help you avoid unintended procrastination.
3. Use Focus Sessions on Windows
If you have a long work session ahead of you, Windows Focus Sessions will help you stay focused and keep on track with your goals for a long period. This feature allows you to mute desktop notifications, set timers to focus, and create time-related goals.
Focus Sessions can be accessed via the default Windows Clock app. On the main screen, you’ll find a range of tools to optimize your focus. ThePomodoro timerallows you to study smartly and take breaks when necessary. During the focus periods, all desktop notifications will be disabled, so you can focus purely on the task at hand. All you need to do is set a time for focusing and clickStart focus session—Windows will automatically allocate breaks at the best possible times to ensure youdon’t burn yourself out.
Another feature is theDaily progresstab. This tracks how long you’ve worked and provides streaks to keep you motivated. There’s also an integrated Microsoft To Do tab where you can view your tasks for selected lists. It’s worth noting, you can use this feature as an extra method to keep your priorities handy while working.
4. Use a Site Blocker to Avoid Distractions
Even if you’ve removed bookmarks, you may still find it tempting to type in your favorite entertainment sites and start procrastinating while working. Using a site blocker is a strict way to block you from online distractions.
BlockSite is a Chrome browser extension (that’s also available for Microsoft Edge and Firefox) to block targeted URLs. On the main page, you’ll enter specific sites you’d like to restrict. These sites will remain blocked until you remove them from your list or set up a schedule. Additionally, there’s aRedirectbutton to divert you to more meaningful sites if you’re losing focus.
If there are too many distracting sites you want to block, you’ll find theWhitelistmode a helpful approach. This mode allows you to only access specific sites within your browser—all other sites will be blocked.
Download:BlockSite(Free, subscription available)
5. Unsubscribe From Junk Email
When you’re in the middle of a deep work session, the last thing you need is a notification alert from junk email. According to a study conducted byThe University of California, it can take up to 23 minutes to fully regain focus after getting distracted from work.
Junk emails are an unnecessary distraction that you don’t need while working. Clean Email is a tool to remove junk emails from your inbox. it’s possible to easily unsubscribe from mailing lists that you’re not interested in or have accidentally signed up for.
To save time, there’s a smartCleaning Suggestionstool based on the common actions of other users or your previous actions. Clean Email also categorizes your emails, making it easier to process junk. With aclean email inbox, you won’t have to worry about uninvited disruptions from your phone as you work.
Download:Clean Email forAndroid|iOS(Free, premium version available)
6. Make Mobile Apps Harder to Access By Locking Them
If, like most people, you have your phone with you almost all the time, this can be a threat to becoming easily distracted while working. The good news is, you don’t have to lock your phone in a cupboard to avoid getting distracted.
AppLocker is an app designed to add a passcode to specified apps. you’re able to choose whether to lock apps with a pattern, PIN, or using biometrics. Locking apps provides an extra barrier to opening them, making it harder to access distracting apps. With this extra step enforced on certain apps, you’ll be less likely to be distracted by them as they require more effort to open.
Download:AppLocker forAndroid|iOS(Free, premium version available)
Take Control Over Your Work
Sustaining your focus throughout the entirety of your digital work session will help you achieve more in less time. It will also add more meaning to your work.
With no distractions, you can immerse yourself in the task at hand and discover more opportunities in your work. Use these tips to create more meaningful and successful digital work sessions.
Some apps get in the way of your productivity and cause distractions. Fortunately, you can use app blockers to focus on what’s important.
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