Managing distractions. A major key to productivity, especially if you want to find a flow state, is to manage your distractions. Distractions happen. We can minimize them and manage them, but never eliminate them altogether. Creating a plan for managing distractions is a key time management skill. The first step is to determine what your major distractions are. Is it colleagues popping into your office? Is it your email or voicemail? Do you get bored with routine tasks if you have to focus on them too long? Figuring out what your major distractions are can help you brainstorm solutions and better manage them. Some common distractions are: colleagues stopping by to chat, checking email or voicemail, noise in the environment, clutter in your workspace, boredom after spending too long on one task. You can solve these by establishing open-door hours, closing your door or otherwise indicating “please do not disturb,” using noise-canceling headphones, setting a regular time to check voicemail and email, letting calls go to voicemail, decluttering your workspace, building in breaks.
