In my today’s post I would like to cover very important topic how are different distractions stopping us in being productive. In present era of Facebook, Instagram, what’s up and other social networking is this topic actual as never before. And no wonder that we are having troubles to stay focus while surrounded by modern communications tool.

It is harder than ever before, but not impossible. Let us have a closer look what is the productivity killer?

Being busy vs. being productive

People often exchange these two. If, you are working on some project, then it is quite easy to fall into being busy instead of working productive towards your target. The problem is that you are trying to multi-task. And while women are proud of them as only one human being able to multi-task, generally it is not working.

And why? Because doing two or more things simultaneously is not going to bring you the same result, like finishing the first task and JUST AFTER THAT ONE IS FINISHED, start working on new task.

That is leading you towards feeling of being busy rather like actually being efficient. I think that’s pretty obvious, isn’t ? If you can not cope with that, try small test. Start write two working emails at the same time, while switching and then write one working email and after that is done, write a new one.

In which case would you be faster, happier with the result and less “busy”?

Social network.

Another killer of productivity is except of simultaneous work, social communication. As couple of years ago, it was much more complicated to speak to someone who wasn’t physically present, and you would have to call him/her, or even earlier you would have to visit the particular person when you would like to talk. Today it is much easier and therefore more available, but in the same time more dangerous in connection with your productivity.

Because in the past, in case you would like to connect with someone you had to make much more effort. In today’s world it is available just in distance to your smartphone. Just in matter of seconds you can be connected to the whole world and it won’t cost you anything. Almost.

And thanks to that easier availability it is so tempting to do. And that’s way we could spend long hours online.

I mean, it is totally perfect when you are get in touch with your friends who are living on the other side of the country or even world. Personally, I do have friends in USA or in Australia, while living in Europe, and I find it absolutely amazing that I can text them or call them anytime I want, and that is why, I am user of Facebook as well.

But while you work on something important, the devices connecting you with world HAVE TO BE OFF. (Or at least not connected to internet).Just only one message received on your iPhone while working on project that require your full attention will cost you time and postpone your result. Timely wise and quality wise.

If you don’t believe me, try again some test. Stay online in one case and stay offline in second case and compare when you achieved the desired result quicker and you were more happy with it. So simple is that.

Importance of the task.

There is another tool which can help you to be more productive. As the “visitors” requiring your attention don’t have to be just in online world, but as well in real life, it is important to know importance of your task. Its value.

We all know the unexpected visit of our family members or our friends or just water guy who came to measure your water just in time you start to write your article. (Well, if he did not arrange meeting with you in advance, then he should leave, right?).

Now don’t get me wrong. I love to spend some quality time with my relatives, or with my girlfriend or with my friends or neighbors, (even with a water guy, if he is funny), but if I am working on something really important, which can in the end to lead into better life for me, but also for the people who are important to me, then I would just continue working.

Of course, if there is not emergency case. But if my friend stopped by just to ask me go out and we did not plan it I won’t go unless I am done. And here is important, how big value has the task for you. When you give it high priority you will find the way.

It has to be something that you are thinking of as first thing when you wake up and the last thing before you go sleep. It has to have this importance, priority, that big value. But if you prefer to hang out with your friends rather than working on it, then it probably does not have that importance for you.

One quote to think. How could you have some quality time with your love ones, when in back of your mind, there is the little voice telling you, that you still did not finish what you should?

What options do we have?

What is the productivity killer? I think everyone has to answer it personally. I wrote here some reasons why we are not being productive. And as I already mentioned, to stay focused, it is harder than ever in present era, but we all have the choice.

We are masters of our lives. And only we can decide how we spend our time. There is not slavery anymore.

If I would make a summary, please add the importance to your task, as a first first. Then find some time when you are going to be not distracted by anyone, also if those are the people you love the most, would be the second. And finally work only on ONE PROJECT AT THE TIME.

Please let me know how it works for you. As well please share here with the others if you have some other tricks which are helping you to be productive. If you have any other questions or tips, I would be more than happy to reply to you .

Best luck,

till next time,

Julius