5 Easy Ways to Eliminate Distractions & Improve Your Focus
Struggling to eliminate distractions? Are you where you want to be in life? If you answered, no, are you taking the necessary steps that will get you there? Or, do you find yourself constantly distracted and working on other things? Having goals for yourself is great, but they don’t mean anything if you can’t focus enough to do the work and do what you must to achieve them. So, what’s distracting you? Whatever it is, here are five ways to eliminate distractions from your life so that you can focus on what’s important and be more productive.
The Truth About Distractions
Distractions can be defined as anything that prevents you from giving your full, undivided attention to something else. Distractions happen when you’re not crystal clear on what is important. In fact, being distracted is really a mindset thing, if nothing else. (I am not referring to things that are unavoidable like children, who are obviously dependent on adults.) I know most people would say that distractions are attributed to social media, television, etc. But it all starts with our minds. Yes, some distractions can be good, especially in times of hardship or heartbreak. But others can be bad, and these distractions can have negative consequences in our lives or productivity. For the sake of this post, I’ll be focusing on bad distractions.
Why You Need to Eliminate Distractions
I get it, we live in a society of connectivity now. Everything is literally at our fingertips at any time. We’re constantly faced with the temptation to fall down the rabbit hole of unlimited information, or things to do that’s present to us. The thing is, we’re only hurting ourselves. Being distracted can lead to unnecessary confusion and stress. Why would you want that?
How to Eliminate Distractions & Improve Your Focus
So, are you ready to take control of your life and improve your focus, concentration and productivity once and for all? Here are 5 easy ways to eliminate distractions.
1. Get Your Priorities in Order
Life is never going to stop coming at you, and distractions will always be present. In order to stay focused, you need to get clear on what your goals are and what’s important to you. In my post “How to Get Your Priorities in Order with Steps” I discuss the importance of getting clear on the things you want for yourself. Doing so gives you a purpose, your “why”. When you achieve clarity, it’s much easier to roll up your sleeves and get focused on meeting your goals, and falling victim to distractions won’t happen as often.
2. Identify Your Triggers
What are the things that make your mind wander or make lose your focus? When you know what is distracting you, you can start to change your environment or behaviors to avoid them. Take time to identify them so that you can either minimize or eliminate them completely. Triggers can be both internal or external.
3. Focus on One Thing at a Time
I know many of you may pride yourself on your ability to multitask. Honestly, I used to do the same thing. Then I realized I felt like I was always running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Multitasking actually can serve as a distraction. (Think – productive versus busy). Multitasking isn’t some special skill that you were blessed with or something to brag about. In fact, research shows that multitasking has a negative impact on your performance and it’s actually pretty harmful to your brain and IQ. Instead, focus on one task at a time. This can easily be achieved through time-blocking. Time blocking is a time management strategy that requires you to block out certain stretches of time. During each block of time, your only working on one task.
Interested in Time Blocking? Check out my post here!
4. Establish a Daily Routine
Has it ever occurred to you that you’re so distracted because you don’t have a plan or routine in place. Subconsciously you allow your attention to be pulled in so many different directions because you don’t really know what to focus on. Having good habits and a routine in place will serve to improve your focus and bring some structure to your day.
Need help building habits/routines? Check out my blogs about habits and routines.
5. Take Breaks
Believe it or not, taking short breaks can help to improve your focus. During this time, find ways to relax your mind and body. Being productive doesn’t mean that you have to exhaust yourself.
Are you ready to ditch those distractions and take your life into your hands? You have the power to do so!
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The Comments
Adjoa
Lovely post and amazing tips I’ll definitely be taking on board! Thank you so much!!
Monique Elise
AdjoaHey love! Thank you for stopping by. I’m so glad you found these to be helpful. Good luck!
Nailil
Social Media is truly a gift and a curse. What I hate about it the most is that people make quick assumptions. My accounts for instance are a place of happiness and positivity. That’s not to say that all aspect of my life are perfect. Yet, some can be offended by this and see this as fake or unauthentic.
Tiffany Yong
Invest in myself is something I live by too! Being bombarded by living standards on social media got me really depressed and this made me grumpy and unhappy with my life. I start trying to be who I am not, and it becomes a vicious cycle,
Ramona Spires
I totally agree focus, invest, and be true to yourself. When you just focus on yourself and your own journey you will be better for it.
Melinda Gale
Girl! You are speaking my language. I had a basic breakdown at the end of December because I was comparing my life/holiday to everyone elses. I gave up Instagram for the month of January and it was the best decision I could have made. I have been able to focus on myself, not worry about "likes", not worry about what everyone else is doing — staying in my lane!
Luci
I totally agree with you. I grew up with the mantra, make your own path. Don’t follow the crowds because you might not know where they are going. Its okay not to fit in.
Monique Elise
LuciSo glad you agree! Thanks for reading xoxo
Elizabeth O
What a great post. Staying in your life is such an important things to do. We need to stay focused, go after dreams and keep moving towards your goals. and live life to the fullest because it only happens once.
Monique Elise
Elizabeth OAMEN to that!
Shubhada Bhide
This is such a great post to read. Staying in your life is so important. Stop getting distracted by things that have nothing to do with our goals. Live life to the fullest!!
Monique Elise
Shubhada BhideYasssss girl! Thank you for stopping by!
Beola Lawal
Awesome post, I agree 100%. Stay in your lane, live your life and always be yourself.
Monique Elise
Beola LawalIn that order! Thanks love!
Tanvi Rastogi
I relate to your post so much as that’s exactly how I think and feel too … people need to focus on their own growth and improvements and not compare or compete with others.
Social Media is definitely a gift and a curse at the same time.
http://www.tanvii.com
Monique Elise
Tanvi Rastogi100% agree! Glad you could relate!
Mercy
have always thought I was alone, on bad days scrolling through social media is one of the worst things you can do, you can feel like you are a failure comparing yourself to others, I guess we need to constantly remind ourselves that we are unique
Monique Elise
MercyMercy trust me – you’re not!! Best you can do is stay true to yourself! That will never go out of style!
Takeara
This is really great. I feel like social media has definitely contributed to people comparing themselves. My mom always said that we don’t know about people’s real life from a picture and that’s so true. We don’t know what people had to go through to get what they have. Like you said, my journey is my own! Great post!
Monique Elise
TakearaYour mom is so right! Glad you liked it!
Courtney
Girl you have NO idea how on time this is! I am literally in the works of creating a blog post similar to this! I just texted my best friend 5 minutes ago “why do I feel like I’m not doing enough?” 😓 life is crazy, but we complicate it more by trying to compare and “keep up” with ppl that are quite possibly BEHIND us. Man, this hit so many chords. Great post, great post.
Xo,
Consuella
Monique Elise
CourtneyI can’t wait to read your post! We really need to give ourselves
some credit!