Overcoming Common Distractions
02/02/2023
Time management and efficiency studies consistently reveal that common distractions to a person’s workday can create significant losses in productivity. For instance, taking a 2-minute phone call may require 5 to 10 minutes for a person to get back to their same level of focus and productivity prior to the call. A 10-minute call can take as much as 20 to 30 minutes. The time may be even longer if the person was doing a task that required a level of creativity, problem solving, data analysis or other duties that required keen focus for extended periods of time.
Many private consultants spend significant time on their own, which can be good—or bad. They don’t have the interruptions of people coming into their office or wanting to take additional time before or after a meeting. Unfortunately, working alone has its own distractions because these individuals are not seen by others, have to hold themselves personally accountable for their time, and have the flexibility to do their work on their own schedule. There are certainly personal meetings, phone calls, online meetings, and other scheduled activities, but what about the time in-between those events?
Here are some of the more common distractions and how to keep their loss of productive time to a minimum:
Electronic Devices—You knew this was going to be first… These tools are both a blessing and a curse, so we need to be sure to limit their use to productive, work-related activities. Even two or three minutes checking social media, news sites or texts from family and friends is enough to cost 10 to 15 minutes of productive time. Limiting their ability to distract during important development or creative time can be as simple as putting the device on silent mode, turning it over, or even putting it in a desk drawer for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Will we miss a call or two? Yes, but few people expect us to immediately pick up the phone every time they call. The call can be returned on your schedule.
Multitasking—Most people are effective multitaskers, but some try to do too much at the same time, or work on too many different things simultaneously. Preparing a prioritized “punch list” of the task for the day in the most desirable order of priority enhances focus and keeps us on track. Developing the mental discipline to set time limits for certain activities to be completed enhances focus and a sense of urgency. Knowing that each item on the list has a specific time slot can help us stay focused on the current task.
Personal Issues—If there is conflict or drama in our life, we need to compartmentalize it so our thinking remains focused on the task at hand. People going through very difficult situations such as a sick child, elderly parent, relationship challenges or other ongoing stressors need to have a structured process for addressing the situation on a daily basis. They will find that if they take 20 to 30 minutes during the early part of their day to focus specifically on that issue, reviewing the needs of that situation, making appointments, clarifying schedules, allocating tasks to family members, sharing responsibilities with a spouse, etc., they can then focus on their other priorities throughout the day. If additional issues arise during the day, a quick decision can be made to address it, or all can agree that the topic can be adequately addressed during the next day’s discussion on the topic. This strategy serves everyone’s needs, helps all involved focus on real solutions, and allows each person to continue to be productive and effective in the other important areas of their life.
What are some of your more common distractions and what have you learned about minimizing their effect on your productivity?
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This article is the personal opinion and perspective of the author and may or may not be consistent with those of other ASAC Members. ASAC as an organization does not advocate positions on issues.
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Don Tyler
ASAC Board Member
Tyler & Associates
Time management and efficiency studies consistently reveal that common distractions to a person’s workday can create significant losses in productivity. For instance, taking a 2-minute phone call may require 5 to 10 minutes for a person to get back to their same level of focus and productivity prior to the call. A 10-minute call can take as much as 20 to 30 minutes. The time may be even longer if the person was doing a task that required a level of creativity, problem solving, data analysis or other duties that required keen focus for extended periods of time.
Many private consultants spend significant time on their own, which can be good—or bad. They don’t have the interruptions of people coming into their office or wanting to take additional time before or after a meeting. Unfortunately, working alone has its own distractions because these individuals are not seen by others, have to hold themselves personally accountable for their time, and have the flexibility to do their work on their own schedule. There are certainly personal meetings, phone calls, online meetings, and other scheduled activities, but what about the time in-between those events?
Here are some of the more common distractions and how to keep their loss of productive time to a minimum:
Electronic Devices—You knew this was going to be first… These tools are both a blessing and a curse, so we need to be sure to limit their use to productive, work-related activities. Even two or three minutes checking social media, news sites or texts from family and friends is enough to cost 10 to 15 minutes of productive time. Limiting their ability to distract during important development or creative time can be as simple as putting the device on silent mode, turning it over, or even putting it in a desk drawer for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Will we miss a call or two? Yes, but few people expect us to immediately pick up the phone every time they call. The call can be returned on your schedule.
Multitasking—Most people are effective multitaskers, but some try to do too much at the same time, or work on too many different things simultaneously. Preparing a prioritized “punch list” of the task for the day in the most desirable order of priority enhances focus and keeps us on track. Developing the mental discipline to set time limits for certain activities to be completed enhances focus and a sense of urgency. Knowing that each item on the list has a specific time slot can help us stay focused on the current task.
Personal Issues—If there is conflict or drama in our life, we need to compartmentalize it so our thinking remains focused on the task at hand. People going through very difficult situations such as a sick child, elderly parent, relationship challenges or other ongoing stressors need to have a structured process for addressing the situation on a daily basis. They will find that if they take 20 to 30 minutes during the early part of their day to focus specifically on that issue, reviewing the needs of that situation, making appointments, clarifying schedules, allocating tasks to family members, sharing responsibilities with a spouse, etc., they can then focus on their other priorities throughout the day. If additional issues arise during the day, a quick decision can be made to address it, or all can agree that the topic can be adequately addressed during the next day’s discussion on the topic. This strategy serves everyone’s needs, helps all involved focus on real solutions, and allows each person to continue to be productive and effective in the other important areas of their life.
What are some of your more common distractions and what have you learned about minimizing their effect on your productivity?
= = = = =
This article is the personal opinion and perspective of the author and may or may not be consistent with those of other ASAC Members. ASAC as an organization does not advocate positions on issues.
= = = = =
Don Tyler
ASAC Board Member
Tyler & Associates
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