Five Ways to Minimize Interruptions
Some people favor a telecommute life because they’re able to work at their own pace. However, if you’re like me, you’ve likely discovered that freelance life isn’t always that fabulous.
Staying on task should be easy, right?
Think about it: you don’t have to deal with meddlesome co-workers spreading the latest office gossip, and you don’t have to deal with a phone that rings off the hook. Unless you’re a work at home mom, your house is probably quiet during day, which presents the perfect work environment.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple.
Telecommuting is a nice perk - but there’s a downside. Our homes are a breeding ground for distractions. Have you ever been in the middle of a project, and caught sight of a table that needed wiping, or perhaps you forgot to wash the breakfast dishes. There is nothing wrong with taking breaks and caring for the house or other responsibilities. Actually, that’s the beauty of telecommute life - chores and obligations aren’t put on hold until after 5 p.m. However, if you find that interruptions have started to affect productivity - it’s time to make a few adjustments.
1. Work Offline: Create blog posts and online content in a Word or text document. This might eliminate the impulse to peruse the Internet or check e-mail, which can occupy a lot of time. I realize that many telecommuters work online. If you work or conduct research online, endeavor to stay focus and avoid websites that might divert your attention.
2. Check E-mail Sparingly: If you’re like me, you’re likely addicted to e-mail. I used to check my e-mail about three times an hour. This is how I communicate with clients. Plus, I subscribe to several online newsletters and I receive a ton of alerts and funny e-mails from friends and relatives. I know it’s sad - but I can spend 30 minutes going through my inbox. Now, I check e-mail once every two hours, and I don’t read personal e-mails until later in the day.
3. Don’t Answer the Phone: This might sound a little mean, but friends and family can monopolize your time. They’ll call in the middle of the day - just to talk. If you’re unable to hold a conversation, let your voice mail operate as a personal assistant. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.
4. Turn Off the Television: Some telecommuters feel lonely during the day, and they prefer a little background noise. Rather than turn on the television, consider a radio.
5. Get a Babysitter: If you really want to work with minimum interruptions, hire a babysitter for the little ones. You’ll be able to complete all your assignments on-time, and you might be able to indulge in a little “me time.”
Technorati Tags: work at home, telecommute, freelance, self-employed, distractions
Comments
Did you enjoy this post? Please subscribe via RSS or email. Have more to say? Join me over at the freelance forums2 Responses to “Five Ways to Minimize Interruptions”
Leave a Reply
Working offline is a great idea and in fact I recommend using Blog Desk to publish blog posts offline.
Great tips! Now if only we can stick by them.