4 Tips To Help Avoid Distraction And Get More Work Done
By JD Esajian on September 7, 2016
There are distractions everywhere in business. The best real estate investors are the ones who know how to avoid distractions and remain focused on their tasks. As obvious as this may be it is often easier said than done. When you are just starting out in real estate you spend much of your day alone. Even if you do have a partner a majority of your tasks will be done by yourself. This often leads your mind to wonder and before you know it you will have wasted half your morning. Instead of bouncing around from task to task without accomplishing anything you need to streamline your efforts and avoid distractions. Here are four tips to help you avoid distraction and get more work done
- Schedule Work Blocks. Instead of sitting down and working for eight hours straight there is a much more efficient way to get things done. Regardless of where you work there will always be some kind of potential distraction. If you work out of your house you have your TV, refrigerator and possibly even a couch to contend with. If you work at remote locations such as coffee shops and libraries you have dozens of people around you at all times. All it takes is one person that vaguely looks like someone to get your mind going. The best way to combat this is by working in dedicated work blocks. Much like when you were studying for tests in college you get more from your time if you break it up. Wherever you are plan on doing nothing but work for 45 minutes to an hour without distractions. Most people can manage to work for an hour straight. At the end of your hour take a fifteen minute break to do whatever you want then get right back at it. Doing this gives you the satisfaction of knowing you are getting work done but also allows your mind to wonder when you are done. Working for longer periods may seem like you are working harder but if you break it up into blocks you are working smarter and will avoid distractions.
- Avoid Technology. A key component of working in blocks is avoiding technology. There is no bigger work distraction than technology. A text from a friend or an email about your fantasy football team will get you off track in a hurry. We are all guilty of going on social media just to check one thing and before we know it we are there for thirty minutes. Doing that a few times a day can literally be hours of wasted work. Unless you are in the middle of a closing there is nothing that can’t wait an hour for your attention. As difficult as this may be you need to turn your phone off or put it away while you are working. Use your fifteen minute “break” to play on your phone until your hearts content but at the end of the break you need to refocus and get back to work.
- Organize Work Space. Stop and look around at where you are currently working. If you have a dedicated work office how organized is it? Are there files all over your desk or covering your floor? Do you keep notes everywhere or multiple notebooks you rotate for potential deals? The more stuff you have around you the more likely you will be distracted by them. You will see something out of the corner of your eye and the next thing you know you will start working on it. Spend some time organizing your work space and everything that impacts your day. Clean out your emails, desktop and any old apps you may not use anymore. Go through your any notebooks and consolidate your information. Take a look at any old files that may have been lying on your floor for months. The less you have in front of you the fewer items that can be potential distractions. Eliminating the clutter will not happen overnight but if you make a dedicated effort to start somewhere you will be organized much quicker than you think.
- Recharge Your Battery. Boredom and fatigue are usual causes of distraction. When you are tired instead of focusing on getting work done you look for areas just to keep you motivated. Every few hours you should do something that gets you up and moving. If you have a gym membership you should find 45 minutes to squeeze a workout in. Even if you don’t a walk around your block or a few minutes of exercise can help clear your head and get you back on track. You should also give yourself a reward for accomplishing something on your to-do list. Something small like a few extra minutes of technology time or hitting a bucket of golf balls may keep you motivated and focused. The real estate business shouldn’t be something that you find boring or mundane. There is plenty of excitement in it every day if you find an area you are passionate about. From time to time you just need to take a small break and recharge your battery. This will keep you fresh, focused and ready to take on anything.
Even if you are motivated by family or financial independence distractions are still present. How you deal with them will directly dictate your business. Use these four tips to help avoid distractions and get more work done.