5 common work-from-home distractions (and how to avoid them)
When you work from home, distractions loom everywhere. These diversions can easily knock us off track, sabotaging productivity. Watch out for the most common diversions and use these tactics to fend them off
Distraction: The kitchen
As you struggle with a tough work project, you manage to eat six cheese sticks, five biscuits, a pot of yoghurt and one leftover piece of birthday cake. And you never knew you were capable of drinking so much coffee!
Prevention:
Bring healthy treats into your work space to discourage frequent and fattening trips to the fridge. Crunchy cut-up veggies, whole-grain crackers and dried fruits help satisfy cravings when you're in the mood to munch.
As for beverages, water is healthiest and easiest to bring into your office. But if you can't work without several cups of coffee or tea, stick to decaf or herbal teas , and bring a thermos into your office so you don't have to venture near the kitchen and its temptations.
Distraction: Your kids
You started working at home to spend more time with them, but you're finding it difficult to squeeze in any productive work time. Even when you do manage to convince kids that, 'Mummy needs to work now,' the interruptions are endless. You usually end up abandoning all business tasks until the kids are in bed and then pull an all-nighter trying to get everything done.
Prevention:
Set a work schedule and consider getting some child care. A regular work routine helps you set boundaries between work and family life, so that you can block out the time you want to spend with your children and keep it separate and sacred. And having some part-time child care will allow you to work uninterrupted while the kids are well supervised. Soon, your kids will learn to respect your work hours, and you'll have plenty of planned times where you can play with them guilt-free.
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