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How to Reduce Technology Distractions for a More Productive Workplace

Technology is an integral part of getting your job done. It is easy for teams to work together with tech, communicate effectively, and even work remotely. But the same technology that enables you to complete your projects and tasks can also cause a lot of distractions.  Distractions of any kind are terrible because they can take the average person fifteen minutes to regain focus. This alone will affect how effective they are at work. According to Porch, studies show that 64.6% of remote workers admit to being distracted by paying bills or online shopping while working. These technology distractions can also arise as much as eleven times in an hour.  So, how do you lessen distractions when working and yet still benefit from technology? This article will cover some practical ways to go about it.    <h3>How to Reduce Technology Distractions </h3> Establish a Work Environment That Encourages Focus.  You can implement specific techniques while working remotely, which could encourage you to focus more.  For example: <ul> <li> Fast and effective technology: When the computer or the internet connection you are working with is slow, you can lose focus and pick up your phones. You can avert these technology distractions by ensuring you have fast broadband. Also, you can upgrade your system to the latest hardware and updated software. </li> <li> Restrict multitasking: Most people don't know this, but multitasking could make you less productive. So, when you switch between various tasks on your technology devices, this could cause decreased productivity. Arrange your data by integrating applications like virtual drive, virtual desktop, cloud computing, SaaS, etc. on a single workspace. You can also reach out to custom writing reviews websites like <a href="https://onlinewritersrating.com/how-to-choose">Online Writers Rating</a> or <a href="http://bestwritersonline.com/">Best Writers Online</a>. They can help reduce any paper writing workload so that you can stay focused and less distracted. </li> <li> Disable pop-ups and sound notification: There is nothing more distracting than being in the middle of a task and then getting a pop-up on your PC. Luckily, you can eliminate this distraction by: <ul> <li>  Turning off pop-ups on all your technology devices </li> <li> Turning down the volume of your tech devices, or put them on silent during your work hours.  </li> <li> Schedule time to respond to notifications on your device, and discipline yourself not to exceed your response time. Research has shown that people who batch check emails are more productive than those who check emails anytime there is a notification.  </li> <li> Create an emergency notification on your technology device, so you are only alerted to emergencies.    </li> </ul> </li> </ul> Learn the Pomodoro technique  The goal of the Pomodoro technique is time management intentionality. The idea is to break down your work into short periods (25 / 30 mins) to focus solely on the task. A short five minutes break will then follow this. It becomes easier for you to ignore distractions when you know you have a break right around the corner. This technique will also help you unlearn the habit of reaching your phones or checking your emails frequently. You can turn off the phone while working or place it on flight mode. Alternatively, you can put it on silent mode and turn it face-down. That way, you are less distracted by notifications. Pick what works for you, also keeping the phone available for calls, if needed. Set Deadlines to Keep Yourself Engaged The truth is that work distractions will always exist. Still, they are worse when you are distracted because you feel underutilized. By setting tasks to do, you eliminate distractions caused as a result of disengagement. Give yourself meaningful work that inspires your work ethics, visions, and goals.  You can also quickly get distracted when you don't have a set of deadlines for task completion. You can reduce workplace distractions by setting deadlines on deliverables. It will discipline you to let go of the distractions and focus on your impending deadlines. One trick is to set shorter deadlines for tasks. This is especially useful when you notice that the distractions are frequent. Carve Out a Dedicated Work Space  Another tip for staying away from distractions for remote workers is to create a private space for work. What will do is give you a sense of purpose and reduce the distractions from the TV, phones, and other devices. If there isn't much space within your home, you could try the following tips to help create a more productive workspace with fewer distractions from technology: <ul> <li> Look for a seldom-used corner at home, like your closet, under the staircase, or a corner of your basement. </li> <li> You can keep an office plant nearby. Such plants are great for helping you focus, and they also purify the air. </li> <li> Create a noise-free work environment to help improve your cognitive capacity. </li> <li> Have flexible working hours. Setting the periods you want to work gives you the power to choose your most productive hours. It is helpful because monotony can make work drab and tedious, pushing you into embracing technology distractions. By picking your most productive hours, you cut out the monotony of work and put productive power back into your hands.    </li> </ul> <h3>Summing up </h3> The goal for any workplace with technology distractions should not be to eliminate the tech (because that is impossible). Your goal should be striving to create a harmonious balance between yourself and technology. It requires constant planning, time management, self-awareness, discipline, and motivation. Cultivating the right habits will not happen within a day; it's a process of trials and errors. And by implementing the tips touched on in this article, you will be able to maximize technology use while letting go of the distractions. Thus, ensuring you reach maximum work productivity.  Frank Hamilton is a blogger and translator from Manchester. He is a professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, digital marketing and self-education. He also loves traveling and speaks Spanish, German and English.

Frank Hamilton