As the days get longer, it can become harder and harder to focus at work. This is especially true if you work from home. Read on for tips to create a distraction-free work environment from the experts at More Space Place in Myrtle Beach.
Get Organized
A clean and focused mind starts with an organized work area. Being organized limits distractions and therefore helps you stay productive. Start by filing paperwork, limiting the items on your desk with proper storage, and keeping supplies tidy. Customized office storage can help with this. Consider adding a wall bed to maximize your office’s utility.
Cut Out Noise
Sometimes the smallest sound, like a delivery truck outside or chatty co-worker, can dig into your productivity. If you work in an open office, use noise canceling headphones. At home, try to set up your workstation in a quiet area or use special headphones, especially during key work hours.
Set an Online Time Limit
Sure we all need breaks, but that 10-minute Facebook browsing session that turns into a wasted two hours browsing the internet isn’t doing you any favors. Use an app or website to help you cut down on the amount of time you spend online, especially during work hours. Freedom, Cold Turkey, and Focus Booster are popular programs designed to help limit your time on social media sites.
Set a Timer
Giving yourself a time limit for important tasks can also help you stay on-task. Use a timer to help you focus. During the time, only focus on one key task at a time so you can check it off of your to-do list. This can also be useful for meetings so that they don’t drone on without a purpose. 
Shut Down Notifications
During a period of intense focus, make sure you turn off all notifications. This includes desktop email notifications, vibrations from your phone, even chat notifications if possible. These distracting popups can derail you when you’re hard at work. During certain working hours, consider using a do not disturb functional to hide all of your notifications. Certain productivity programs will give you the option to manage notifications for certain rooms or aspects to help you stay focused.
Prioritize Your List
Having a to-do list is great, so you don’t forget anything important. But a prioritized list can help you focus on the most important tasks first, which can also help cut out distractions.
Choose a Good Time
Some of us are morning people, some need some coffee before starting their day, and others are most productive after a midday workout. Prioritize the best time to do your best work so that it coincides with your personality. During this time, make sure to shut off the TV or other things that can cause you to become distracted.
Visit one of our Myrtle Beach showrooms to find out ways that you can reconfigure your office space so that it helps you cut down distractions.
Photo copyright Carmen Murillo.