How many times per day would you say you get distracted at work? Perhaps it’s 10, 25, or even 100 times. Of course, there are many different types of distractions; some are directly work related, while others may involve those social media and Smartphone applications we all enjoy so much. Yet, every time you stop to read the news alert that just popped up on your cell phone, respond to a personal text message, or even glance at one of your social media pages, you’re getting distracted from your job.
However, don’t despair. Believe it or not, there are several apps that can actually help you manage distractions on the job, and keep you on track toward meeting your goals. Here are a few to get you started:
1. Escape
The best place to begin is to ascertain exactly how much time you are spending on social media sites, personal messaging, and other common digital diversions. This handy app will track how many times you engage in non-work related Smartphone activities, and then provide you with a detailed report. This can help you view and manage the areas that are causing the most distractions.
2. One Big Thing
This app, which acts as a type of digital planner, can help you set up a routine which involves only focusing on important tasks. With One Big Thing, you simply input a main task or project you wish to accomplish, and it will help you break it down into smaller more manageable steps, helping you achieve your goal in a timely manner.
3. Time
If you really need help getting focused and on track, this app can certainly assist. Time allows you the ability to set up a color coded system for each task, and then create specific time allowances for each one. As you work, you can see how much time you have left to complete a particular task. The use of a visual countdown will motivate you to remain more focused and avoid distractions in order to complete your projects.
4. Forest
Rewards can be great incentives when it comes to accomplishing goals. With this app, you may not be rewarded with a raise or promotion of course (unless until your boss notices how much quality work you’re getting done), but it does offer you a visual reward. When you wish to focus on a particular project, you simply plant a “tree” within the application. As you work on the task, the tree will flourish and grow, but be careful! When you stop working, the tree will die. At the end of the week, you can check your progress and see a virtual forest growing from your hard efforts.
5. Hocus Focus
While we’re discussing the wide array of apps that can help us better manage our work distractions, what about the distracting apps themselves? Hocus Focus is one that will close down other distracting applications that are not being used, freeing up your space and time so that you can focus on accomplishing more important tasks.
6. HazeOver
Multi-tasking is a given in today’s work environment. How many times must you continually switch among several programs and open tabs on your computer during the day? Unfortunately, for some, this can create a sense of disorder or confusion which ultimately leads to distraction. With HazeOver, only the tab on which you are currently working will remain lit up. The other tabs are still visible and active on your desktop, but they are dimmed to create less distraction to the eye.
If you are one of the many workers feeling even somewhat overwhelmed by the host distractions in today’s workplace, why not try out one or more of these apps (or others like them) to inspire you to stay productive and on track!
Further Reading: How Smartphones Really Fit Into the Workplace
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