Sometimes a little distraction at work is a healthy break from a task before you dive back in. But too many distractions can see your performance suffer and be a frustrating experience for you and those relying on you.

Jacquelyn Smith of Forbes shared her thoughts on the topic, including a variety of ways to combat office distractions.

Here are some of the most relatable methods.

Make a Plan

One simple distraction could be you can’t decide how to start your day because you didn’t plan an itinerary. Do your future self a favor and make a plan for prioritizing what your goals are going to be each day.

Turn Off Some of the Technology

Today’s world has us always connected, but that creates a perpetual distraction. Unless you need your phone during work hours, putting it on airplane mode for a while could be wise so you can focus without texts and emails pulling you off target.

Manage Your Own Proclivities

What types of things are distracting you? Is it hearing coworkers chatting and you can’t resist chiming in to socialize? Learn what is pulling you away so you can start developing strategies to avoid those during urgent assignments.

Stay Healthy

Taking your health seriously is not a hobby. If you are not eating right and making sure you are getting enough sleep, you will be groggy on the job and have trouble focusing. Being exhausted is a huge distraction from getting work done.

Stay Spatially Organized

Disorder on your desk can be one of the most obvious distractions. Maybe you know everything you need is there somewhere, but constantly having to look for what you need is a time-waster. Keep things neat and set up a solid system for where everything is going to be.

Freeing yourself of distractions will not only allow you to get more done, but you will relieve your stress from constantly feeling like you are behind on what you needed to do.

For more methods you can try to minimize distractions at work, check out what Forbes has to say here.

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More tips to help you stay focused at work from career coach Adriana Girdler.

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