Last time we introduced 10 of the 21 creative and proven ways to eliminate distractions and get more done. You might want to review Part 1 first for additional context on today’s post.
Introducing part 2 of the 21 proven ways to help you eliminate distractions, take control and get more done now. These methods center around creating an environment conducive to productivity and your continued success. And if you really like these, you might consider downloading the 2-page checklist for easy reference located at the end of this post. I keep mine in my business playbook for easy access.
#11. Capture Your Brilliance
Once your brain “warms up”, you’ll experience flashes of brilliance — juicy ideas you want to explore and execute right now. Wait! Capture these “off topic” insights quickly. Use your idea journal, whiteboard, post-it or voice recorder. What ever you do, keep moving forward.
#12. Use A White Board
Purchase a 8-1/2 x 10 white board from your local office supply store. Cost is about $10 USD plus a set of markers. You can use your dry-erase board as scratch paper, to note an idea, to mindmap an issue, to write your micro-steps or capture new action items for later.
#13. Make Yourself Accountable To Someone
Set a deadline or expectation. Arrange for your business partner, trusted colleague or family member to receive a call from you. Tell them you’ll call them in an hour as soon as you finish “it” (e.g. blog post, ezine article, etc). You’ll feel the pressure to get things done within a limited time period.
#14. Fire Up Your Team Spirit
Get it done now with someone else. Another colleague is working on her own important project. You both target completion in two hours. It now becomes a race to get it done. You know the other person is making her stuff happen. And you don’t want to be left behind! Healthy competition works.
#15. Pull From A Quote
Sometimes frustration sets in, because things aren’t moving fast enough or the technology is misbehaving…When you sense your motivation dwindling, look to a relevant, favorite quote. Read it aloud, reflect on it then press forward. You can do this!
#16. Have Wi-Fi, Will Travel
Bring your laptop to your favorite wi-fi hotspot café. The change of environment is refreshing and does wonders for focus and clarity.
#17. Connect With Mother Nature
Do you really need your computer at this moment? Drive your car to the nearest scenic view: a local park, view of the ocean or skyline. Push your seat back. Lock your doors. Crack the windows part way. Keep the radio off. Put your materials on the passenger seat. Begin! When you get stuck, look out and around for inspiration. Then continue. You’ll be amazed.
#18. Reward Yourself Immediately
Before you move on to the next task, stand up, move or walk for 5 minutes. Revel in the moment by simply doing nothing. If you’ve ever trained a puppy, you know that you need to give it a reward to reinforce the desired behavior. Start rewarding yourself. The recognition feels great and you’re more apt to do it again.
#19. Express Physical Gratitude
That’s right. Pat yourself on the back. Do it now. Use your right hand to reach over your left shoulder. Tap yourself twice on the back. Now smile and say “You did it. I’m proud of you!” Strive to be first in line to recognize your achievements! No need to wait for some one else to do (lest you wait forever!)
#20. Give Yourself a Woohoo!
Listen… “Clap. Clap”. Now shout, “Woohoo!” while raising your arms up in victory. That’s the Melanie Griffith “working girl” moment. In the movie, Melanie’s character achieves her dream of a window office and she celebrates that she’s arrived. Woohoo! You’ve accomplished what you set out to do. Celebrate small gains. Each small step leads you closer to your ultimate destination.
#21. Move to the Beat of Your Song
Play your favorite theme song to celebrate. A good friend loves the 1979 disco song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”. It keeps her pumped and moving. Yeah! So, pick a theme song. And ROCK to it! (and even do a little dance)
Pick one or more of these 21 proven tactics to handle distractions. Use them to accomplish that most important first step, then the next step and then the step after that. And before you know it, you’ll get more done in 30 minutes than most people do in 2 hours.
What proven tactics have you used to handle distractions, take control of your time and get more done?
Want to print the 2-page checklist? Grab your complimentary copy of “21 Proven Ways To Eliminate Distractions Creatively And Get More Done” checklist.
