6 Simple Ways to Master the Distraction Monster

It’s been awhile since I touched on the old productivity subject, so I’m thinking it’s a good time to put out some friendly reminders to help us all stay on track.  In fact the “Monkey Brain” is a relatively new term that happened across my desk the other day.  It’s a term that is being used by pop psychologists to describe just how easily our minds are able to become distracted.  Juse like those wild little monkeys in the jungle like to leap from branch to branch, then back again as they become distracted by every little blowing leaf or buzzing insect, we too tend to leap from task to task letting our random thoughts divert us from what we really should be accomplishing.

Don’t take it personally and go and beat yourself up for not being an A+ productive member of society, it’s simply how our brains work.  Even when we are focused on super important matters such as family, finances, business, and our careers our brains tend to keep churning and working on other ideas – multitasking like a champ.

You don’t need to ignore every stray thought that enters your mind, just learn how to deal with the incoming thoughts in a better way.  Keep these tips in mind:

1. Keep a notebook handy to jot down all those thoughts that aren’t related to your current task.  
2. Hide and schedule digital device use.  That’s right put your phone away in your desk and turn it on silent until you have either completed your current task or are at a stopping point to take a break.
3. De-clutter your work space – both physical and digital.  The least amount of distractions to turn that monkey brain on, the better.
4. Give yourself a break.  All work and no play does actually make for a very dull day!  Take a break, get some air, have a chat, etc.
5. Create a routine that you won’t have any issues sticking to.

We all have those moments, and will likely have many more, where you have been working too much and find it really easy to become distracted. However, if you follow these simple tips, I bet you will find yourself a little less mentally swayed to jump into that rabbit hole.

What ways do you keep yourself on track with important tasks? We would love to hear all about your techniques in the comments below.