10 Tips to Help Reduce Distractions and Increase Your Focus

Proactively checking for information may keep you from having it interrupt a concentrated work flow. You may want to turn off all notifications from smartphones and desktops applications. Consider checking email only four times per day and handling each inquiry only once. Controlling your devices, and not having that technology control you, may help reduce distractions and increase your focus. 

This means something different for every small-business owner. Comfort could be determined by the clothes, the chair, the music, the temperature of the room or the work location. Knowing what environment makes you comfortable yet focused at the same time can help you maintain focus through the work day. 

This may allow your mind to let go of interrupting thoughts and get centered on one thing. Consider sitting quietly in a place for three to five minutes a day. Close your eyes and count to 34. This may be difficult at the beginning since the mind tends to wander to other thoughts that could prevent you from getting to 34. Letting go of that thought without self-judgement and counting again can help get you back on track. Notice any feelings or sensations while doing this exercise. This is a harder task than it may seem, so take your time and  practice meditation for a small time at the start. 

"Big fat hairy goals" (BFHG) may be great for motivational speeches, but they don't help anyone focus on getting important things done. Consider breaking down all goals to smaller pieces that can be accomplished more easily. As a result, this may only require focus for a shorter period of time, which may mean increased odds on completing the task. 

According to sleepfoundation.org, healthy adults need seven to nine hours each night. Many small-business owners cheat sleep to work longer hours in an effort to get more things done. What is worse, this "sleep debt" can build up over a long period of time. Sleep deprivation can actually be counterproductive to staying focused and completing tasks with the highest level of skill. Getting some rest may help you increase your focus and improve your overall health.

Stuck on the top of my office computer monitor are three words: "Focus, Focus, Focus. " When I have difficulty sticking to a task or want to escape doing it to check email or Facebook, I look at this reminder and repeat those three words out loud. This cue really does help me! 

Delaying gratification can actually help people focus on getting something done. To give it a try, choose the task and the customized reward (food, check social media, call a friend, etc.) before starting as a direct motivator. 

Standing up—or better yet, getting away from the office—can help increase your focus. Taking even a short walk away from work can help refresh the body and mind. Taking a break can help you refocus on the next task upon return. 

Non-work and screen activities can help free your brain up to focus later on a new task. For at least 30 minutes a day, consider working out, going for a run or bike ride, playing sports, doing puzzles or playing chess. Remember that a healthy body means a healthy mind. It can be difficult to focus when the body is sick or the mind is depressed.