When you’re serious about focusing on one thing right now, it’s best to cut yourself off from everything else that might distract you or make you think about something different. Here are several easy steps to shut out the world so you can actually focus on the task at hand:
- Shut the door.
- Tell everyone around you that you need some time alone to work.
- Write down the tasks you’re not doing right now so you’re confident you’ll remember them.
- Put your phone in airplane mode.
- Turn off any notifications all your digital devices.
- Close your email
- Open a browser window specifically for the project you’re focusing on – so you won’t be distracted by all your open tabs.
- Get your cup of coffee, water, or whatever your preferred beverage is before you start working.
- Turn off any music in your room.
- Clear off your workspace – even if that means shoving some things in a drawer.
All of these steps can be taken very quickly. You might not even need all of them. For many people it’s just one or two of these that cause all the distraction and undo your ability to focus. Experiment with what works for you.
