🎒 Microlesson

🪞 Reflect

When you work on your own, what causes most of your distractions? 

💡 Concept

As an independent remote worker, blocking time on your calendar may not suffice to ward off distractions. Without coworkers around, your primary obstacles to focused work might stem from your family and yourself. Here are some strategies to hold yourself accountable and maintain focus amidst these challenges: 

⏲️ Utilize a Physical Timer: Incorporate a physical timer into your workflow for focused work sessions. The tangible presence of a timer can provide a visual cue and a sense of urgency to stay on track.

📣 Announce Your Deep Work Sessions: Inform someone, whether it's a colleague or a family member, about your "deep work" sessions. Changing your status in communication platforms like Slack or notifying a trusted individual, such as a partner or housemate, can create external accountability.

🔕 Leverage Distraction-Blocking Tools: Explore tools like Freedom that allow you to block distracting websites and apps during critical work periods. These tools eliminate temptation to help you maintain your focus.

🧺 Implement Reward-Based Motivation: Reframe distractions as rewards rather than to-do list items. After accomplishing small milestones, allow yourself brief breaks for activities like starting a load of laundry. This approach creates a positive reinforcement loop, making focused work more rewarding.

👯 Seek Accountability Partners: Identify accountability partners within your network, such as fellow remote workers or friends, who can support and encourage you in your productivity goals. Schedule regular check-ins or join accountability groups to share progress, challenges, and strategies for improvement.

🎬 Take Action

• Reflect on which strategies resonate with you the most and experiment with incorporating them into your routine. 

• Keep track of each strategy’s effectiveness and adjust as needed to find the optimal combination for maintaining focus and productivity when working from home. 

🧠 Keep Learning

Learn more about how to manage distractions in the Remote Work Certification program. 

✅ Check In

🎁 Learn with your team!

Refer our weekly microlessons to your team members to learn as a group! Just follow the instructions in the section below to get started.