7 Questions to Ask when You Are Distracted to Get Your Focus Back

June 20, 2012

For many people, staying focused is easy, for others, it is a constant struggle against the forces of resistance to get the work done.

Here's my list of the 7 questions I ask myself when distracted and some solutions for each:

Are you checking your email? If so, stop!
Are you looking at social media sites? If so, stop!
Do you have unread articles open in my browser? If so, save to “Read it Later” or Evernote.
Have you started a task on request without evaluating it? Is it important? Stop doing it, evaluate it, and either add to list in priority, or, just do it if less than 2 minutes of effort.
Have you reviewed your daily task lists and prioritized? If not, do so now. Then, do one of the things on your lists.
Have you added all new requests for action to your task lists? If not, do so now. Then, do one of the things on your lists.
Have you written down or added new ideas to Evernote? If not, do so now.Then, go to your task list and pick something to do on your lists.

You don't need to use the tools I use such as Evernote or Instapaper. Getting your ideas out of your head and into some sort of container will free you of the psychic baggage that is preventing you from getting focused work done.

Share Yours

What tactics do you use for staying focused and getting things done?

Update: I just realized I have another item to add to the list: "Are you checking for responses and shares of your blog post? If so, stop it.