How do you keep yourself away from distractions while working?

Question

Hello,

I own a small online business. I create websites and do freelance web development from designing to dekstop programming. I have a great deal of to-do list but I'm just 15. I have other things to do as well which distracts me a lot like playing games. I had deleted the games and controlled my gaming time but I just keep visiting the webmaster forums all the time. I waste a lot of time on then and can't work. Please give me suggestions that how can I keep myself away from all the stupid distractions.

Regards,
Muhammad Haris

Answer 1

Hello,

usually it means you have a lot to think and your brain is looking for something to relax a little. Some tips to manage this : try to get enough sleep and relaxation in your day. Do your most important and tough things when you feel the most woke up.

It helps to have a realistic and fast goal like "I'm finished with this step at 10." and keep the focus on one step at a time. Shut the web if you're working on something else (you may even turn off the modem) and don't go back on it until you reached one of your goal. Once you get used to stay focused on small things, 10 or 15 minutes at a time, you'll find it easier to keep it longer and longer. The more you're interested in your goals, the more you'll reach them. But don't forget to have fun and relax some times, when you go to the extreme, some part of us can't resist long to temptations.

Answer 2

I like the 2 hour interval idea. For me, I can work hour after our if I just have some music in the background. I like having streaming radio on just loud enough so that I can hear it, and no one else. It kind of focuses me, blocks out distractions.

I notice the kind of music this works best for is stations where I am familiar enough with most of the songs, that it doesn't make me go "Hey, what's that!?!?!". Or if the music is likeable, but repetitive enough that my attention isn't provoked by radical changes in tempo (for me, slow reggae, rocks ballads, some techno). Again, it's all about letting the part of your mind that wants to pull away from work glaze over instead. Familiarity and comfort - those are the two keys.

Answer 3

Get checked for ADD, take meds if necessary.

Other than that, it is a question of prioritizing your tasks, and keeping to the list of things to do. If going to web sites instead of writing code is not on your list, don't do it.

Answer 4

restrict yourself to 2 hours working, and then take breaks afterwards as a reward.

Your brain can only cope with 2 hours at a time

you haven't got ADD by the way, you are just human

Answer 5

Stay away from Yahoo Answers. I haven't found a site quite as addictive...