A short instructional talk by Brian Tracy listing four major distractions that reduce productivity—(1) an unplanned day, (2) Internet use, (3) a late start to the day, and (4) a cluttered workspace—and offering practical strategies (daily planning, scheduled offline/work blocks, consistent morning routine, decluttering) to prevent them and increase focus toward personal and professional goals.
Four Distractions that Kill Productivity if you have a clear goal and a plan to achieve it, your focus is fixed on a set course of action. Instead of becoming sidetracked by distractions and diversions, your time is focused on a straight line from start to finish. Brian Tracy in today's world, there's no shortage of distractions that will keep you from achieving your goals, and it is almost impossible to avoid them. From technology that connects you to everything and everyone, to the endless sources of entertainment all around you, modern life is a landmine full of distractions capable of derailing your progress each day. By recognizing that these obstacles exist, you can better prepare to face and overcome them, keeping your productivity high and moving you forward on your path to personal and professional success. With that in mind, here are the four distractions that kill productivity and how you can avoid them. Distraction 1 An unplanned day the value of having a plan in place for your day cannot be overstated. Often when your day is unplanned, it can end up chaotic and disorganized, with your goals being pushed back by unimportant tasks that don't advance your success. When you plan out each day the night before, you'll be able to clearly see what needs to get done and what distractions are derailing you from achieving your goals. By having a plan in place, you will know exactly what you need to accomplish each day without being pulled in every direction, allowing you to take direct action that gets you results. By the end of each day, you should clearly plan out and schedule the work related as well as relaxation or downtime you want to accomplish the next day. Write these down in a planner or calendar with the specific steps required and their allocated time blocks. If you're able to plan out your day beforehand, you are more likely to stick to that plan and avoid distractions. Distraction 2 the Internet by far one of the biggest distractions for most people is the Internet. Being connected is both a blessing and a curse. It gives you a wealth of knowledge and information at your fingertips, while also presenting countless ways to distract you from your goals. Since many people work online and therefore cannot avoid the Internet while they work, it becomes important to block offline time into your schedule so you can complete the planned tasks for the day without being distracted. This may mean having certain blocks of your day where you do not check your email, go on social media, browse the web, or use your smartphone as part of your planning schedule. Times of the day when you can do all those things during your breaks. In addition to going offline during your work blocks to stay more focused, it may be beneficial to go offline during your downtime as well. Taking a technology break can help you stay refreshed and grounded and help you avoid comparing yourself to others highlight reels and instead enjoy the world and the people around you A Late Start to the Day While it's important to get a good amount of sleep, it's also important to get up at a reasonable hour to get your day started. By starting earlier in the morning, not only will you be more motivated and determined, you'll be able to avoid the distractions that tend to pile up as the day goes on. First, set up a consistent morning routine to put you in the right mindset to start the day right. This may include going to bed earlier the night before, as it usually helps with an earlier start and will keep you from feeling tired and groggy as part of your routine. Once you're awake, do not waste time in bed, scrolling on your phone or snoozing unnecessarily. Get up and get going. Start with the projects that require the most focus and energy while saving the easier tasks for later when there may be more distractions. The more you use the distraction free hours in the early morning, the more productive you will be and the closer you will be to achieving your goals. A Cluttered Workspace Clutter and distractions go hand in hand. While a clear workspace breeds a clear mind, every piece of clutter in your workspace can become an individual source of distraction. And taken as a whole, clutter can be even more distracting than its individual parts. It can be difficult to focus when you're surrounded by disorganization. Clutter can also force you to take time to search for things you need, which can create an opening for you to become sidetracked from the important task at hand. To overcome this distraction, simply declutter your work and living spaces. By getting rid of these potential distractions, you will end up in an environment that lends itself far better to concentration than before, leaving you more productive and moving forward on your goals. The common causes of distraction take little effort to correct, but will pay off big time when it comes to maximizing your productivity and concentration. Be mindful of how you use your time and what pulls your focus away from the work you need to accomplish and the goals you want to achieve. By working on fixing these four distractions that kill productivity, you'll go a long way in achieving your personal and professional success. Now the question today is what is your biggest distraction and what steps will you take today to avoid it. Leave a comment below and Brian will be sure to follow up with you. Thanks for watching. And remember, as Brian always says, if you want to change your future, take action and take action now.
