17 Tips to Avoid Distractions When Working from Home

I personally have been working from home for the past 3 years.   Regardless of the "WHY" you are working from home.....distractions happen and can be very frustrating.   

I recently came across an article from maurathomas.com that provided me with value on how to minimize distractions at home.....I am sharing this with you now!   Not all may help, but I found many of these helped minimize my distractions!

17 Tips to Avoid Distractions When Working from Home

https://maurathomas.com/productivity/distractions-work-from-home/

 

For many knowledge workers, the new normal of working from home still doesn’t feel normal at all. Maybe you’re heading back to the office, or maybe you’re hoping to continue working from home indefinitely. 

Regardless of where you’re working, I’ve got some road-tested tips to help you avoid distractions. Most of these are modified versions of tips I provide for managing distractions in the office. They are useful while working from home, also, because really being productive isn’t so much about where you work, it’s more about how you work.

 


How to Avoid Distractions When Working From Home

The following strategies come from decades of my work helping leaders increase their productivity. Many of these leaders worked from home either full-time or part-time before the current crisis. 

These tips for productivity fall into a variety of categories ranging from where to work at home and how to organize your workspace, how to limit distractions from other people and electronics, and finally, how to set firm boundaries between your work and personal life.

1. Work in a Room with a Door

A cat walks over a woman's keyboard

 Maybe your spouse already took the home office. Or maybe your kids are sprawled across the den with their studies or crafting projects. Pets can sometimes demand our attention, too! 

So where is the best available place for you to work from home successfully? It of course depends on your home. If there are other people or animals in your home, it’s best to work in a room with a door. When you open and close a door, you can signal to others when you’re available. You can also let housemates know when you can’t be interrupted because you’re busy doing deep, focused work.  

2. Don’t Work in a Central Location

A dad attempts to work in the middle of a busy living room
Try to pick a work spot that is not in a central location. Maybe you have a playroom that is no longer in use by a small child, or a basement where it is comfortable enough to spend the day. This way, when you leave your work spot and return to family life, you don’t have your work tools still in sight.  

3. Avoid Working from Your Bedroom

A person using a computer Description automatically generated with low confidence
Although a bedroom may be located off to the side of the busiest locales in your home, it is the absolute worst place for a home office. Working from your bedroom can disrupt sleep patterns and interfere with the privacy and peace of your most personal space. 
If you must work from your bedroom, try to divide the space with a screen, bookcase, or another barrier so that you cannot see your desk or table from your bed.
 

4. Don’t Use Your Brain as a Storage System

A man with a very cluttered desk in a home office tries to work

 
Once you do settle into a home office spot, make sure to clear any clutter. I’ve worked in the productivity space long enough to hear hundreds of knowledge workers insist that they know where everything is in their piles of papers and trip memorabilia littering their desks, so “it’s not a problem.” But I’m still not convinced. 
The “file by pile” system forces you to rely on your brain as storage and organizational system, which is more mentally taxing than necessary. Studies show that people who exert control over their environments are happier. A disorganized, cluttered workspace signals to your subconscious that things are out of your control. 
However, a clean, uncluttered environment allows your brain to focus better on the task at hand.

5. Add Items to Process to Your Task List

A person working on the computer Description automatically generated with low confidence
Often, we’ve convinced ourselves that the clutter on our desk must stay there for a variety of reasons: maybe it’s there to remind us to take care of a task, or maybe it’s there because we can’t think of a better place to store an item.
Let’s suppose there’s a pile of bills on your desk that needs to be processed. Stick them in a folder labeled “bills to process.” Just “packing up” your stuff will make it more orderly and manageable. 
If you’re afraid you’ll forget to deal with the bills without seeing the paper pile, then add a reminder to your task list. 
 

6.  Spend Two Minutes to Find a Home for a Piece of Nostalgia

a cluttered desk is a distraction when working from home
Use the two-minute rule to find a home for an item of nostalgia that’s cluttering your desk. Perhaps you have a collection of miniature ceramic animals that your child made ten years ago. A few items to beautify your workspace are great, and can even improve your work productivity, but are you sure this collection fits the bill?
If not, it’s time to focus your attention for 2-3 minutes on this piece of nostalgia (which I would never call ‘clutter!’) and find a place for this prized collection to live, that is out of your way. 
Whatever your “ceramic animal collection” equivalent maybe, I’m sure you’ll think you have no place for it to go, but I promise, if you spend just a few minutes and push through the resistance, you will figure out a better spot.
 

7. Implement a Workflow Management System

A picture containing text, room, gambling house, scene Description automatically generated
Once you take the time to clear your workspace, it will quickly become cluttered again unless you implement a workflow management system. This is a methodology for processing and organizing all of your tasks, papers, appointments, and every other kind of “stuff” that flows into your life and your workspace.
When you don’t have a system to organize all the bits and pieces that make up your physical and mental workload, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 
Since the goal is to decrease distractions and increase productivity when working from home, investing time and energy into learning and implementing a workflow management system is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your team.
 


8. Use Signs and Symbols to Show When You’re Available

Sign on desk that says "Working at home. Do not disturb."
One of the biggest obstacles to working from home is often our housemates. Whether you live with roommates, a partner, teens and/or young children, you’ll need to teach others how to respect your boundaries. While an open or closed door may be the best way to signal whether you are available to others, you may not have the option to set up a home office in a room with a door.
If working in a more open area, consider putting a flag on your desk, or tying a flag on a lamp, putting on headphones, or using another symbol. Tell others that when you’re using the symbol, it means, “Do not disturb.” Otherwise, it’s ok to interrupt. If you like to approach your boundaries with humor, you might consider a funny sign that gets the message across. This can work especially well with children and teenagers. Download a variety of free, fun “Do Not Disturb” signs here.
No matter how you choose to show others when you’re available and when you’re not, it’s important to enforce your boundaries. If someone ignores your closed door and walks in anyway, you need to politely tell them you can’t talk (unless it’s an emergency), and to please come back when the door is open.
 

9. Use a Whiteboard to Communicate with Teens and Tweens

a dog points to a whiteboard

If you’ve got older children at home, an effective strategy can be to place a dry erase or chalkboard outside your office or by your desk. On it, write what time you’ll be available, and “How can I help you then?” Then leave chalk or markers for your kids to list what they need.
This alleviates any anxiety children may have that you’re inaccessible. It helps them learn patience, too. 
Just be sure that you keep your whiteboard up-to-date with new availability times, and that you follow through during your breaks by tending to what’s on the board.
 

10. Tag-Team Care for Young Children When Possible

A father holds young son while trying to be productive working from home

If you’re working from home and another partner or adult is there too, then alternate caregiving in increments of 60-75 minutes. This way each of you gets a stretch of focused, productive time for work activities and then switches to caregiving. Tag-teaming like this is the most effective method for giving both partners the best chance to maximize attention on work tasks.
 

11. Asked to Be Judged on Your Outcomes

A person and a child sitting on a couch with a computer Description automatically generated with medium confidence

If you’re a sole caregiver, try to treat yourself with the same grace that you would give to a friend in a similar challenging situation, and lower your expectations about what you can expect to accomplish in a day. Trying to be a caregiver during the day and then get your work done late into the night isn’t sustainable, and will ensure that soon you, those you’re caring for, and your work will all suffer.
Then talk to your manager about setting weekly outcomes that are realistic for your situation. The goal is that your manager is not judging you by when you work, but on the outcomes you achieve. This will allow you to make realistic commitments, and keep them.
 

12. Put Electronics Out of Sight for 60-75 Minutes Stretches

A picture containing wall, person, indoor, computer Description automatically generated

 
All the boundary-setting strategies in the world won’t help you avoid disruptions if you continue to let your electronics hijack your attention. 
During times of deep concentration, turn off your electronic devices other than a single computer and put them out of sight. You can check them after your 60-75 minute window. 
If you’re very concerned that you might miss an important call, you can set your phone to allow calls from a particular contact. Or, you can set your phone to allow a second call within a minute or two from any number. However, if you can’t bring yourself to entirely power off your devices, then set them to silent (not vibrate) and put them out of your sight. Studies show that just having our phones in our presence is distracting.  
 
 

13. Turn Off Push Notifications


A picture containing indoor Description automatically generated
Disable push notifications. These are expressly designed to hijack your attention. See my comprehensive free resource called Control Your Tech for detailed help on how to disable push notifications on your phone. This guide also provides detailed help for setting boundaries with your email, your social media, and your team communication tools.
 

14. Process Email in Offline Mode

A picture containing text, blackboard Description automatically generated

Trying to answer email in real-time is like playing whack-a-mole. Instead, set aside designated times to process email, and when you do, set your computer to offline mode so that it cannot refill during your processing time. 
 

15. Remove Your Second Monitor

A dog looks at a computer monitor

If you have a second monitor on your desk, and you use it mostly to keep email open all the time, consider ditching it. This will constantly distract you from your most important work. 
That said, a good reason to have a second monitor is if you are a designer or developer and absolutely need the space in the service of one task. For example, perhaps you’re a designer. You keep palettes and images on one monitor, and the item you’re creating on the other monitor. 
 

16. When Work Is Done Put a Blanket Over Your Tools 

Man working from home looks at his watch

 
Research shows that our 24/7 work schedules are bad for our mental and physical health. Whether working from home or in an office, when there are no boundaries between our personal lives and our careers, we are more likely to experience burnout. This, of course, puts the kibosh on our productivity like nothing else.
If you’re lucky enough to have a home office, shut the door and don’t return until the next morning. However, if you are working from another place in the house, you want to signal to yourself and others in your home when you are done for the day.
Do this by putting away your laptop or other work-related devices. Or, if you’ve got more than just a laptop, throw a blanket over all your work tools. Don’t remove the blanket until you are refreshed and ready to work again. This strategy will help you avoid having your personal life interrupted by work.
Unfortunately, this tip isn’t foolproof, since you’ll still have access to your phone. And where there are phones, there are work emails.
 

17. Set Clear After-Hours Expectations for Work Email 

A person typing on a keyboard Description automatically generated with low confidence
Studies show that after-hours work email is not only bad for you, but also for your family. A 2018 study found that just the expectation of being available for work after hours caused increased stress and anxiety not only for employees but also for their immediate family members.
If you’re a manager, lead your team by setting clear policies around when it’s appropriate and necessary to email after hours and on weekends, and when it isn’t. Be sure to set clear guidelines regarding when it’s okay not to respond to a work email after hours.
And if you’re not a manager, consider asking your team leader to provide this information, in order to help you work more productively from home.
 
 


How To Pee Better

How To Pee Better

In this month's "Blog" post I am going to share some information I did not know well!  How to "Pee " better.  Wierd topic huh!

This all started with a Facebook (FB) message from one of my FB friends who has an acquaintance with kidney issues and wanted to know more about what Young Living had to offer? This person had developed gout from decreased kidney function.

Since the kidney function was the source of gout, I started to research the kidney subject by referring to Jen O'Sullivans "Young Living Supplements Desk Reference.

I think it may be safe to assume we all know that kidneys are a key gland in your body and we have two of them!

The kidney's job is to filter your blood to remove wastes and control the body's fluid balance.  What I did not know is that "all" of your blood passes through your kidneys about 40 times a day! That is why you have to "pee" so often!

When the blood comes into the kidneys, waste gets removed, and salt, water, and minerals are adjusted as needed.  The filtered blood goes back into the body.  The "waste" gets turned into urine that travels to your bladder......then you "pee" out the waste.  

So if you have decreased kidney function your blood is not being cleaned properly which leads to "pee" problems!  Ok, so much for the anatomy lesson.  Now on to a solution option!

I did not know that Young Living has a liquid supplement called "K&B".  K is for Kidney and B for Bladder....duh!  According to Jen O'Sullivan, K&B is a liquid tincture (concentrated herbal extracts) that is a must for renal system support.  It supports the renal system to help increase urination and the liver to help support detoxification.  It contains natural antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory properties.  It can be taken by adding to distilled water or added directly to veggie capsules.

CAUTION - Personal Note 

Sometimes kidneys are no longer able to filter and clean the blood.  This can cause unsafe levels of waste product build-up!  This is known as kidney (or renal) failure.  Unless it is treated, this can cause death.  

On a personal note:  my Mom passed away from renal failure, so this story is very personal to me!

What are the ingredients in K&B?

Juniper berry extract:  supports digestion, intestinal gas, heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite.  Also supports the urinary tract, kidneys, and bladder.

Parsley leaf extract:  supports the urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract. 

Uva-ursi leaf extract:  support the urinary tract and painful urination.

Dandelion root extract:  supports digestion.  Used to increase urine production and as a laxative to increase bowel movements.  Rich in antioxidants and supports liver health.

German Chamomile flower extract:  supports digestion and gas.

Royal Jelly:  produced by honey bees. source of B vitamin complex and 50+ minerals and vitamins.  Supports the cardiovascular, kidneys, lungs, and immune systems.

Essential oils:  Geranium, Fennel, Clove, Roman chamomile, Sage, Juniper - supports digestion

What does Young Living Say about K&B?

K&B is formulated to nutritionally support normal kidney and bladder health.  It contains extracts of juniper berries which enhance the body's efforts to maintain proper fluid balance; parsley, which supports kidney and bladder function and aids overall urinary health; and uva-ursi, which supports both urinary and digestive system health.  K&B is enhanced with therapeutic-grade essential oils.  

Directions for Use

Take 3 half droppers (3ml) three times daily in distilled water, or as needed.  Shake well before using.  K&B comes in a 53 ml bottle with a handy dropper.  

Cost

The current retail cost is $41.78 per bottle, but there is a way to save 24% off of retail. If you want to know how to save 24% on "all" orders, send me a message!

Summary

I hope this information is of value to you and I just ordered K&B so it will be a part of my daily YL supplement routine!  Happy "Peeing" 

 

 


Fragrance is a Four Letter Word - Really!

Fragrance is a Four Letter Word - Really!

Say what?  Don’t you know how to spell?

Ok, so Fragrance itself is technically one word, but I would argue the word is so bad it should be treated as a FOUR LETTER WORD.    And here is why!

Fragrance is a nice way of saying “Toxin” and marketers would never say “Toxin” is an ingredient ….so they use other “nice” words like perfume, parfum, aroma on their labels…..but buyer beware.

FDA Definition

Fragrance is defined by the FDA as a combination of Chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne (including those used in other products) its distinct scent.

Fragrance products are exempt from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing, which deepens the frustration for users trying to find out what’s actually in their perfumes.

What is in a Fragrance

Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials.  Companies that manufacture perfume or cologne purchase fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses (companies that specialize in developing fragrances) to develop their own proprietary blends.

 

More than 95 percent of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals. These chemicals include: benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates, and a slew of other known toxins that are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders and allergies--some of which are cited on the EPA's hazardous waste list.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label.

Did you catch that?   The company does not have to tell you what CHEMICALS they used to make it smell!  So,  they just use “Fragrance” on the label!   I would bet the house that their ingredients are NOT natural!

Deceptive….yes….but legal….according to the FDA!

 

Fragrance secrecy is legal due to a giant loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973 which requires companies to list cosmetics ingredients on the products' labels….BUT EXPLICITLY exempts “fragrance, reports EWG.

In the U.S., manufacturers can legally hide hundreds of synthetic chemicals in the one word--"fragrance"--without revealing what those ingredients are. It's referred to as a "trade secret" in the industry. But really, it's simply a loophole big enough to drive a fuel truck though. This excuse to not label fragrance ingredients was initiated in an era when the major fragrance houses lobbied to protect their secret formulas made from flowers and oils. But those days are long gone. What the government is protecting now are manufacturers who have a license to poison the American public with more than 3,000 chemicals that are being absorbed, inhaled, and ingested daily.

 

What type of Product is “fragrance used in”?

This amount of products that contain the ingredient ”fragrance” is mind-numbing!  This list is not exhaustive, but will give you an idea of just how extensive this toxin can be found in:

  1. Perfume
  2. Cologne
  3. Conditioners
  4. Shampoos
  5. Body Wash
  6. Moisturizers
  7. Laundry Products
  8. Household cleaners
  9. Air fresheners
  10. Candles
  11. Sunscreen
  12. Soaps
  13. Deodorants
  14. Dryer Sheets
  15. Fabric Softeners
  16. Cosmetics
  17. Facial Cream
  18. Skin Toner
  19. Serums
  20. Exfoliating scrubs

 

And what do they all have in common?   They touch your body in some fashion and are absorbed in your bloodstream!

Children are exposed to fragrance chemicals primarily through direct skin contact and through the inhalation of some compounds (volatile organic compounds or VOCs) that readily evaporate from the scented product into the air.

What is the potential Health Impact?

  • Exposure to fragrance chemicals can cause:
    • Headaches
    • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
    • Nausea
    • Forgetfulness
    • Loss of coordination
    • Respiratory symptoms
    • Neurotoxic symptoms
  • Many fragrance ingredients are:
    • Respiratory Irritants and sensitizers
    • Trigger asthma attacks
    • Aggravate sinus conditions
  • Fragrance chemicals are the number one cause of allergic reactions to cosmetics – not only by the primary users but also to those who breathe in the chemicals as secondhand users.
  • Phthalates in fragrances are known to disrupt hormones and are linked in animal studies to malformations of the penis, as well as adverse effects on the developing testes.

 

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Well, to start with,

  1. READ THE LABEL on the product! If it contains the word “Fragrance, or Blue #8 then it most likely contains toxins!

 2.  Secondly, Don’t be fooled by products labeled with “natural fragrance,” because there are no standard criteria for what these words mean. These can be just as unsafe as fragrances not described this way, so skip these products too.

 3.  If you see the words “fragrance-free” or “unscented”, your Spidey senses should kick into action. You also have to check the ingredient list, because sometimes manufacturers use masking fragrances to cover the chemical smell of their products.

 4.  USE YOUNG LIVING PRODUCTS! Any Young Living Product does not contain any “fragrances” or “Phthalates”.  They are from plants for God’s sake!  Young Living products take the smell of the plant, with no synthetics added.

SUMMARY

I hope I have given you enough information and knowledge to make the best choice for you and your family.    Education and Knowledge is power and that is why I wrote this blog….so you can see for yourself the dangers of “fragrance”!  

 

Remember the phrase “ Buyer Beware”.    Now you are armed!

 

References used for this blog article:

 

https://www.forceofnatureclean.com/truth-about-toxic-fragrances/

https://cehn.org/our-work/eco-healthy-child-care/ehcc-faqs/fragrances/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/five-mustknows-on-the-dan_b_4737654

https://www.healthline.com/health/perfume-poisoning

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling/trade-secret-ingredients

 


You have 3 Brains - Say What?

You have 3 Brains - Say What?

Read more...
 
Read Newer Updates