How to Beat Distractions When Working Remotely?

[gemma.wilson]

Hey guys,

I'm new here and found this forum very responsive to a majority of topics. I firstly hope I've placed this in the right section!

I recently started working remotely in Italy for a UK based company and I was wondering if any other remote workers/digital nomads had any tips or advice on how to avoid or entirely combat distractions?

I've read a few websites etc, but I'd like to hear some personal experiences/truths

 

[fisicx]

Go to work.

This means packing your lunch and getting dressed and going to a work area. Turn off facebook, the telly and face away from the window. Best option is to turn the spare bedroom into an office and shut the door behind you. Some people have a kettle in the room so they don't have to go to the kitchen.

Set yourself work times. Be at your desk by 8am and stop for lunch at 12. Start again at 1 and work until 5 (or what ever times you choose).

It just takes practice and self disipline. The worst thing is to tell youirself you can pop to the shops, or check facebook, or make a call to your mates. Do this and you will never get back to work

 

[AllUpHere]

Stay away from internet forums.

 

[gemma.wilson]

@fisicx - Thank you for your input! I always feel guilty making a coffee and stepping away from my desk

@AllUpHere - I hope that wasn't a hint Hehe

 

[AllUpHere]

@fisicx - Thank you for your input! I always feel guilty making a coffee and stepping away from my desk

@AllUpHere - I hope that wasn't a hint Hehe

LOL, no that wasn't a subtle hint to tell you to go away, just a handy tip if you don't want to waste an awful lot of time.

In my experience, being logged in to a forum is the easiest way to have a constant distraction that can suck a huge amount of hours out of your working week, without you even realising it.

 

[Lentinus]

Try this http://pomodorotechnique.com/

Edit:
Site has turned to c***p trying to overcomplicate it to flog their books etc. Didn't understand a word of the video. Anyway this link takes you straight to the simplified overview:
http://pomodorotechnique.com/get-started/#how

The crucial part is that when something really important occurs to you that you just have to do right now, you write it down and come back to it in your break.

 

[Paul Murray]

Go somewhere else, a coffee shop, library, etc, and work there. See the walk/drive as a commute. Don't hook up to their WiFi straight away either (unless you need it) to prevent you being distracted.

 

[MOIC]

Work 2 hours and have a 15 minute break. Repeat this during your working day.

Trying to stay focused for too long without a break will not be productive.

(How I wish I was working in Italy)!

 

[Mobile & Tablet Repairs]

Turn notifications for FB off on your mobile, and keep out of the forums. Thats the best way. Discipline for me has never been in issue perce. I suppose its the opposite knowing when to switch off

 

[gemma.wilson]

A lot of useful tips here guys! Thanks a lot!

 

[steved45]

Being active on forums is part of my job but any social non-business use is confined to evenings or breaks. Avoid the TV, Jeremy Kyle will fry your brain with nonsense, Avoid loud music and keep it low, or even off; take more breaks as opposed to a couple of long breaks as in offices, try shorter breaks throughout the day instead; keep focused on tasks till completed, no 9 to 5 thinking, what needs to be done today; stay off facebook for social conversations, it kills productivity.

 

[james@alpha]

Work 2 hours and have a 15 minute break. Repeat this during your working day.

Trying to stay focused for too long without a break will not be productive.

This is EXACTLY what I do when I work from home a few days a week.

cheers