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The article is subjective and expresses the personal opinion of the author.
Distractions are the bane of a writer’s existence. They can feed writer’s block, steal your ideas, and perpetually keep you from getting those creative juices flowing. The negative effect that distractions can have on a writer’s productivity is nothing short of profound, making their removal a priority of the highest order.
What Constitutes a Distraction?
Distractions aren’t just annoyances. They can even lead to common workplace injuries. We’re not talking about losing an arm in a baler here (and yes, that’s a reference to The Office). There really are a host of other ways to hurt yourself while “on the job,” even in a desk job scenario.
Throwing out your back, developing a case of carpal tunnel syndrome, slipping and falling, straining your eyes, feeling anxious or stressed, or even suffering from poor air quality and other environmental conditions — there are many subtle yet dangerous risks present even in a home office.
And an interesting connections between many of these? They can easily arise from distractions.
It’s worth taking the time to identify what workplace hazards are hiding within your own, comfy space in order to address them — not just for the sake of your safety, but also in the name of creating a distraction-free environment.
Know Yourself
It’s important to realize that not all distractions are equal. You can’t simply Google a list of potential distractions (even though that’s a good starting point), take them out of your home office, and be all set.
You need to take the time to understand what it is that makes you tick, specifically as a writer.
Whenever you sit down and open up that laptop, what is it that helps you focus? Do you need a steaming cup o’ joe at your elbow? What about music in the background? Do you need your comfortably familiar piles of research material haphazardly yet knowingly organized around you like a mini cityscape? Or do you need a clean, cleared space with everything perfectly put in its place?
What is it that catches your peripheral attention more than most? In other words, what is it that takes up the avenues of your mind, screaming “distraction!” as you try to clear your head to write?
Identifying what it is that helps you write, as well as what it is that is getting in the way of that process, is the first step in creating a fully functioning home workspace.
Taking Action
There are numerous ways to address distractions within your own office space. Here are a few suggestions to help get the process going:
Assess Your Atmosphere
Distractions can easily come from the atmosphere that you work in. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, consider getting better lighting such as a sunlight lamp or moving your workspace to an area with a window. If the air quality is poor, get a diffuser and some lavender essential oils. Consider a plant or two to add a splash of lively color to the scene. Even a live candle can help bring a literal spark of life to your surroundings.
Blending Work and Play
If you use your office for both work and recreation, chances are the two are going to run together in your mind. Try to keep your workspace as sacred as possible!
Disruptions
If you work from home, make sure that kids, spouses, friends, and siblings all understand that when you are working, you are working, and they need to keep the disruptions to a minimum.
That Blasted Smartphone
Cell phones are marvelous, but they’re also intensely distracting. From articles and games to texts and calls, it’s important to remove your phone from the scenario when you’re writing. Put “Do Not Disturb” on, turn the phone off, or even consider leaving it out of your workspace entirely.
Work Distracting You from Work
As the gig economy continues to grow, the diversity in a writer’s workload can be significant. It’s important to note that things like emails and other notifications can be serious forms of distraction as you try to address individual projects. When you’re in “writing mode,” don’t allow extraneous work responsibilities to interfere.
Don’t Burn Out
It’s a lot easier to be distracted when you’re exhausted. Take breaks often and avoid tiring yourself out.
Don’t Be Afraid to Invest
If you need a new desk or a more comfortable chair, take the time to address the issue. The time and costs will often be paid back in spades once you get your mind cleared from the distractions and you watch your productivity soar.
Make the Big Move
Finally, if cleaning things up and eliminating distractions doesn’t quite do it for you, consider creating an entirely new office that is carefully designed with your own creative workspace needs in mind. This gorgeous barn-office is a magnificent illustration of how something typically built to house animals and hay bales can be retrofitted into a haven of distraction-free creativity.
The Distractions Will Always Be with Us
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that on one level or another, distractions will always be with us, and that’s okay. The point of reducing the number of distractions within your own workspace is to minimize the issue, not excessively control it. A vain attempt to manipulate your workspace into a Monk style, OCD paradise is likely to blow up in your face and send your stress levels through the roof.
Instead, address the issue thoughtfully, with your own needs in mind, and then embrace the space that you end up with. If you can keep a healthy mindset and simultaneously deal with some of the clutter, chances are you’ll see your creativity, productivity, and inspiration reach all new levels.
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