Managing Distractions While Working from Home

Working from home has a ton of perks – you can work in a comfortable spot with no commute and easily meet the needs of the people (and furry friends) who depend on you. But if you’re new to work from home, it’s easy to get distracted. Here’s how to stay distraction-free while on the clock.

Carve Out a Workspace.

Creating a dedicated place for work makes it that much easier to put on your “work” hat and get in a productive frame of mind. We get that not everyone has tons of room to carve out in their home, but even a dedicated chair or a curtained-off area can be set aside for work – and only work.

Communicate That You’re at Work.

Family members and friends can struggle to equate being at home with being at work. Define your work hours, and make it clear that you’re not to be disturbed when you’re on the clock. A signal such as a closed door, a sign, or the “do not disturb” setting on your phone can help family members understand that you’re busy.

Set Work Goals.

Help yourself stay on track by setting goals for the day as well as writing out a list of priorities. It’s much easier to focus when you have something specific that you’re walking towards rather than an open-ended goal to be “productive.”

Turn Off Distractions and Notifications.

Is your phone pinging and your email dinging? The average phone user receives a notification every ten minutes – that’s a lot of distractions!  Turn off non-work-related notifications while you’re on the clock so you’re not tempted to respond to personal texts or news alerts.

Embrace Distraction-Blocking Software.

If you’re still struggling to avoid your phone or web browser, consider installing distraction-blocking apps that block certain apps or websites for a specific duration, forcing you to stay focused. You can also try the Pomodoro technique to stay focused in short, productive bursts.

Use Noise-Canceling Headphones.

Can’t block out that background noise? Noise-canceling head phones can help keep you focused between calls, and a white noise machine in the background can minimize ambient noise while you’re on the phone.

Take Regular Breaks.

Our minds start to wander when we work straight through without a break. Stretch, grab some water, or go for a quick walk around the block. By the time you get back, you’ll be refreshed and ready to do your best work!

Get Housework Out of The Way First.

It’s tempting to multitask between work and housework when that pile of laundry is growing. Strive to get your housework out of the way before you start your shift so that it’s out of sight – and mind.

Schedule Your Day.

You’ll find yourself less susceptible to distractions if you have both the work and life stuff in your day scheduled. If you need to make an appointment, pay a bill, take the dog out, snack, or hang out the laundry, that’s all fine – just pencil it into your day so that you can get it done without interfering with your work hours.

Great at Handling Distractions? ACD Agents Wants to Hear From You!

At ACD Agents, we’re proud to work with a distributed team of US-based remote workers. If you love working from home and have experience in customer service, apply to be an ACD Agent today!