Why is it that when you are just getting your focus on your work to a peak that there will be the inevitable distraction, whether it is your cell phone, joke emails or a visitor? This is just the way life works and if you allow these distractions to break your focus your productivity and effectiveness suffer.

• Clear your workspace – By simply making sure that you only have documents or other items which pertain to the job at hand around you while you are working, you will immediately be removing the possibility of worrying over other matters which need attention while you are giving the project which you are working on currently your undivided attention. You will find that should there be paraphernalia pertaining to other projects which you still need to do be laying around, your mind will begin to break your focus and begin to worry about these projects and this decreases your productivity.

• Telephone interruptions – We often feel we are out of touch with what is going on around us if our telephone is turned off, but in fact this is one of the major means of distraction which robs us of precious time and focus. If you are not expecting an important phone call, turn your phone to silent or off, even better divert it to a mailbox. This way you will be able to focus undisturbed and when you decide to take a break you can check your voicemail.

• Email distractions – Unnecessary Email can be very distracting, deactivate delivery notifications which make a noise, unsubscribe from email list which serve no purpose and try to have separate email accounts for work and personal. By doing this you will be able to avoid the bombardment of email jokes, videos and the like which will be sure to serve as a very serious distraction.

• Distraction by your colleagues – Make sure that those who work around you are aware that you are trying to concentrate at the task at hand and do not wish to be disturbed, if you have your own office, close the door. If not try wearing earphones even if there is nothing being played through them as this will give the impression that you can not hear them and they will be less likely to bother you. Another option is to put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign outside your workspace and hope they understand. Whatever means you choose, it is up to you to let those around you know that you need to focus on the task at hand.

• Internet distractions – We all fall into the trap of surfing, often for useless information, while we should be focusing on what it is which will help us to achieve our goals. So to prevent this temptation you should, unless the work you are busy with requires internet access, shut all browsers down completely so as to avoid being lured into time wasting by searching for things which have no relevance to what it is you are trying to achieve.

• Distractions when you work from home – This is probably where you will need to have the maximum self discipline so as to be able to be rid of distractions. You will need to make it very clear to yourself and those around you, that although you are working at home, you are still working and the same disciplines as in an office apply. It needs to be clear to all that when you are working, you need to be able to focus and concentrate just as you would have should you have been working in an office. You will also need to step up your self discipline so as not to find yourself trying to do home chores during your working day.