Blogging is difficult. What makes it more difficult? Distractions. They’re everywhere. Whether it be the television, your phone, your dogs, or a daunting to-do list, they can pull you away from blogging and cause you to fall behind. So, today, I wanted to share what I do to keep those distractions at bay. For me, this is even more important because I not only blog, but I own a business and run the fort at home. I have a long to-do list every week. Here’s how I make sure I’m on track.
*Disclaimer: Everyone is different and has different obligations in their lives. This is just what works for me, but you do you!
TURN OFF THE TV, PUT AWAY THE PHONE
I know, I know, that’s such a wonderful word of advice. You haven’t heard that one before, have you? Ok, good.
Anyways, this is what I try to do every time. I tend to want Netflix on in the background but then end up watching Netflix more than working. So, I turn the television off and, for good measure, put my phone on the other side of the room or out of my reach that way, I have to get up to use it. Just make sure you leave the volume on & high if there’s an emergency.
Bonus: Sit at your desk, if you can. I try to sit at my desk 99% of the time when I need to blog, design, or do other ‘work’ related tasks. It makes sure I’m turned away from the television, and it’s just the feeling of being official at your desk and not in your pajamas, in bed, watching Sherlock.
MAKE LISTS
All the lists! I love lists. I make a weekly to-do list and daily to-do list. I also categorize my to-do list into Blog, Store, and Home lists so that my tasks are separated and easy to manage. Seeing them divided like that makes it a little more feasible to me, rather than one giant list of tasks.
Bonus: If you find that even using lists doesn’t help, look at how your managing your lists. First, try skipping the digital form and journal form. I know we all love our apps and bullet journals, but I find that having that extra step of opening up a journal or my phone makes me check my list less. Instead, I write it down on a loose leaf piece of paper and have it next to me on the desk. This way, it’s always right in front of my face (so I have no excuses) and it’s a little more mobile friendly.
TAKE TWO TYPES OF BREAKS
Break #1: An actual break. Working too much, too long is no fun for anyone. Give yourself a break whenever you want. I either take breaks when I feel I need one or if I have a lot to do, I take breaks at certain hours. Either way, relax, eat, go outside, watch tv, take a good old-fashioned break.
Break #2: A productive break. Say what? Well, a way that I manage my to-do lists is that I don’t spend too much time on one category. I divvy up my day between Blog, Store, and Home tasks. For example, I’ll write that week’s blog posts then go to the grocery store then come back and work on a new design. I don’t like doing one thing for too long and I hate the feeling of having too much to do. Doing this makes sure I chip away at each list without getting bored or feeling overwhelmed.
How do you avoid distractions?
Do you already do any of these things?
24 Comments
I love this. I am the queen of list making. And I do have to turn stuff off in order to get my goals accomplished. But I make a schedule and take breaks. I love how you talk about different kinds of breaks. Bc there are different. I try and make my breaks a reward system. Like if I get a certain amount done then I’ll get a 30 minute break to read. Or ya know, whatever it is I’d rather distract myself with. Great post!
We’re very similar! I like to reward myself with my breaks too (unless they’re just another productive break) haha. But I guess for me, mixing up what I’m doing is sometimes a reward lol
Ooh, these are great tips! I think for me, things that make me focus are writing an outline of a blog post before I draft it so I at least know what I’m going to say. It makes it faster to write for me when I’m not completely winging it! And usually to not force myself to write! When I do, I’m usually not working as hard or I get frustrated, but when I’m in the mood to write blog posts, I get so much more done! 😄
Ah, I wish I could do outlines! I just never know everything I want to say when I first sit down to write. I’m a write now, edit later type of person.
I’ve love these tips. I think the number one tip for me is that I schudule my posts. That way whenever I write one there isn’t any pressure and I can stay on top of things. Awesome post!
I’m new to blogging and book reviewing, and I was wondering if you had any tips for newbie bloggers and book reviewers.
If you have the time, please check out my blog @breenysbooks. I’d love any feedback. Have a wonderful day.
Yes, writing ahead and scheduling posts is a huge help! Ah, I don’t know about any specific advice that you probably haven’t already seen all over the place! I’d say the biggest one is to stay engaged with the community. Reply to comments, visit other blogs, talk to people, because without all that, what’s the point. I’ll definitely check out your blog. Welcome to book blogging! 🙂
This post has been bookmarked and I will refer to it frequently. My main problem with blogging is that I only do it at weekends and it is way too easy to get distracted. I will try and employ a few of these ideas. I do wish I had space for a desk because that would really help.
That’s awesome! I’m glad it was helpful 🙂 My desk has a good view of the TV, so that’s kind of risky haha But, I hope the other tips help you.
These are great tips. I put my phone away while writing on the blog because it is SO distracting. I make a lot of lists too; but I do not follow them all the time.
It’s VERY distracting. Another trick I’ve seen is putting a water bottle on top of your phone. So every time you go to grab it, you are reminded to drink water and pick that up first (and hopefully you don’t then pick up your phone haha) No distractions and you’re hydrated!
This is such a great post, thank you for the great tips! Whenever I am blogging, I am always only keeping my blogging things opened on the computer, otherwise I am way too distracted ahah. I try to ignore my phone just as well, at least for a little while, and I like having a schedule of things to do, so I know where I am going next and I try and keep myself organized 🙂
So we’re basically the same haha. I’m not perfect. Even right now I have Grey’s Anatomy on in the background. But I’m just blog hopping so it’s not as bad lol
I didn’t get to comment on this early agh! Anyways — I SO agree that putting your phone away is a good one! Although when I’m blogging, I need the computer, and then I get distracted on that as well… XD AND LISTS!!! Lists are amazing. They TOTALLY help me be prepared with everything — from blogging to school to all sorts of stuff! Great post!
(PS I LOOOOOVE your new header!)
The only social media I really use is Instagram which isn’t PC friendly. So it’s super easy for me to just focus when working on my desktop hahah Also, thank you! It’s actually my old header – I had it for a year and a half, then switched. But I didn’t like the new one. I thought I’d like something simple, but nope haha Thank you, either way! 😀
Love this!! I am honestly the most distracted person in the world, haha. I do 90% of blogging ect. at my desk because my laptop is giant sized so I can’t really use it in bed or whatever which I think definitely helps me stay on task a little (although I still end up getting distracted lmao). Breaks are my best friend. I tend to do the productive break A LOT (I’ll be multitasking a bunch of different projects) and I never really thought of it that way?? I always used to give myself a hard time for not focusing on one thing at a time, but that’s made me realise that I actually still am doing something productive so I feel better about it now 😂
Ahh, I just suck at working on one thing at a time but I’m also not a huge multitasker. So, “productive” breaks are my in-between. It makes me feel good, but I can see how it wouldn’t at the same time. I feel like that mainly when there’s a problem with one task that’s stopping me from completing it, because I just get mad that I can’t figure out the solution haha
I do actually do most of these! I never have my phone by me or the TV on, I do make lists, and I always sit at my desk. Yet… somehow I am still the worst at not being distracted! Sometimes I am just as ridiculous as staring at my walls, looking around the room. And I know it isn’t productive, but… I generally don’t do breaks though, because the chances of me ever coming back are slim to none 😉 Great post!!
hahah I’ve found that sometimes I’ll just be staring at nothing – that’s when I take a break lol But I can totally see why taking a break can be bad! There definitely have been times when I don’t go back to working, but hey, that just means I really wanted that break lol
Netflix and my phone get me overtime!! Right now I have my GoT binge on in the background well I try to catch up on blog hopping. Lists and breaks are great tips!!
I just get too focused on a show. haha I can’t multitask all that well >.<
I literally have lists dotted around everywhere – I love crossing things off! It’s so so satisfying! (Although I do sometimes cheat by writing down things I’ve *already* done that day, just to make them count too ahaha)
I do that too! It makes me feel more productive hahah
I’m so guilty of the Netflix thing. I have to put on my headphones and zone in on my desktop sometimes. But I agree, favorite is all other devices off. Also great tip about the loose note. I love those little note pads with the short bullet points and room to scribble 🙂
Ugh I can’t even listen to music while doing something. It totally distracts me lol. I had to turn off the tv right now to get some work done because I’ve been SLACKING. Also, I love those kind of notepads too! I have a bunch of them lol