Online
Resources To Help You Stay Highly Focused At Work
Technology
provides access to just about everything we can imagine — but that instant
gratification is a double-edged sword. When it comes time to buckle down and
get to work, it can be difficult to stay distraction-free and keep our minds
from wandering.
According
to one study, our minds wander 47 percent of the time. Combine this with noise and other distractions around
the office, and it should come as no surprise that the average office worker is disrupted every 11 minutes.
Luckily,
there are several online resources that can help you silence the chatter,
eliminate distractions, boost productivity, and stay focused at work.
Start the Day off Right with 7-Minute Workout
Exercise
is good not only for your physical health, but also for your memory and ability
to focus. For many of us, hitting the gym in the morning before work isn’t
possible. With the 7-Minute Workout app for iPhone and iPad, you can get
your heart pumping in just a few minutes, track your activity, and set goals.
The basic version of the app is free to download, but you can pay to upgrade
and access various other features, including alternate workouts.
Avoid Internet Browsing with SelfControl
Whether
it’s Facebook, a blog, or email, we all have our online Kryptonite that
distracts us from getting any work done. SelfControl, a free,
open-source OS X app, can fix this. With SelfControl, you can set
a timer and block selected websites and mail servers, which is great for when
you are on a deadline. Set a timer for four hours and you won’t be able to
access your “blacklisted” sites — even if you restart your computer.
Master the Pomodoro Technique with Focus Booster
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that
breaks down work into intervals of 25 minutes, followed by five-minute breaks.
This is believed to improve concentration and mental agility. The Focus
Booster app is based
on this technique, helping you manage your time and dedicate specific time
increments to projects. After a free 15-day trial, Focus
Booster costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
Write Without Distractions with FocusWriter
When you
are on a deadline and falling prey to writer’s block, even the battery icon and
clock on your toolbar can prevent you from focusing on the page. FocusWriter is like a full-screen Microsoft Word,
eliminating all distractions. You can look at only the page on which you are
working. Available for both Windows and Mac, FocusWriter is free to download.
Relax to Ambient Sounds with Soundrown
Silence
isn’t always conducive to productivity. While breakroom chatter or a silent
office may work for some, others require the fine balance between sound and
noise. With Soundrown, you can
choose the type of ambient sound that best helps you focus and boost your
productivity. Currently, the free-to-use website offers 10 different options
that range from Coffee Shop to White Noise.
Find Your Center with Mental Workout
Sometimes,
we need to embrace our inner hippie and meditate. Meditation can increase your ability to concentrate by
helping you relax, de-stress, and clear your mind. For new practitioners,
meditation can be harder than it looks. The Mental Workout app, which was designed by a
meditation teacher and psychotherapist, offers an eight-week guided meditation
program for beginners. It also has more advanced options for experienced
practitioners. Along with inspirational talks and body scans, the app is well
worth the $1.99 download fee.
Conclusion
Beyond
using apps that help you focus, set yourself up for success by using the right
tools. Make sure your computer is running efficiently and that you are
regularly backing up your files. You may also consider investing in a good set
of headphones when you need to drown out office noise. Lastly, don’t forget to
ensure that your Internet connection is fast enough for
your productivity needs. Videos that take too long to buffer and delayed
website load times can quickly distract you from the task at hand.
By staying
focused at work and using apps to boost your productivity, you can get more
accomplished in less time. Start by trying some of these tools at your
place of employment to see which ones work best for you.
BY SARAH PIKE
http://www.lifehack.org/324819/online-resources-help-you-stay-highly-focused-work?ref=mail&mtype=goal_reminder&mid=20161107_with_thumbnail&uid=687414&hash=707e797f7e757e6d794c856d747b7b3a6f7b79&action=read_more&goal_id=24&token=d0e3e4b03809d240b52d71f8a6770fa9
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