I have a confession to make. This time of year I tend to get distracted. I think it’s the perfect weather that draws me away from my screen and towards the ocean or the first tee.
Can you relate?
The workshifting lifestyle is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to flexibility. True, you don’t have to be chained to a cube breathing recycled air, but you still have responsibility to get work done.
To solve this, I’ve found it works best to create boxes of time in my day that are allocated with no distractions. I also leave time for getting outside or away from my laptop and phone. When I am in do-not-disturb mode, I don’t check email, Twitter, blogs, Google+ or Facebook. I don’t answer the phone or talk to people. I work.
This way, I can be disciplined and ultra-productive without driving myself crazy or burning out. When I take the DND sign off my desk, I’m looking to quench my everyday-is-Saturday thirst.
Timeboxing and quiet hours have been well documented. Here are a few good resources to help you stay productive:
It may take some trial and error to find out when you are most productive and when you are most prone to distractions. I tend to work better in the mornings and late at night. A good friend of mine is the opposite – she likes to begin and end with downtime and crank through midday uninterrupted. Once you have a feel for your natural routine, set your calendar and turn yourself loose.
What are your 2 cents?
Photo Credit: lazylikewally
