How to Avoid Distractions

 'If you commit to nothing, everything will distract you.'

Dedication is essential for making your dreams a reality, but another important factor is avoiding distractions and staying focused on the specific study activity.

Our lives are made up of seconds, minutes, and hours. Most people, particularly students, are aware of this. As a result, because most are used to procrastinating, they tend to waste a lot of time. The belief that one will have plenty of time to do the same later influences this type of behavior.

This is the greatest lie that the world tells us. We also tend to do it quite frequently in order to get away with some important work.

What exactly is a distraction?

We frequently hear about various types of distraction, but have you ever wondered, "What exactly is a distraction?" A distraction is a factor, thing, or aspect that diverts an individual's or a group's attention away from the desired focus area.

It, in turn, obstructs or reduces the acceptance of critical information at the best possible time. Distraction is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as "something that prevents someone from paying attention to something else."

You must have known the fundamentals of 'What is a distraction?' up to this point. It is time to sit down and make a list of the distractions and their sources. You must rate it based on how much the respective source influences your productivity.

What causes us to become distracted?

• We are all distracted in our daily lives. This includes memories, future events, and even uninvited behaviour. On the surface, these are distractions, but if allowed, they begin to control our thoughts and actions.
• When we concentrate on something, we expend a measurable amount of glucose and other metabolic resources. According to research, each subsequent task makes you less effective at the next, especially if you are performing high-energy tasks.
• With all of the exhaustion, the body seeks something to make it feel better, which could be an idea, a thought, or an activity that makes your brain happy. 
• All of this happens in a split second, and we lose sight of the task at hand before we realise our brain has taken over and distraction has taken its toll.
• You're either playing a game, scrolling through social media posts, or doing something else that makes you happy.

How can I concentrate on my studies without becoming distracted?

To remove distractions, we must first understand the various causes of distractions. Distractions are caused by two types of factors: internal and external.

Internal factors: An internal factor is when we become distracted. It is the result of our feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

External factors: An external distraction occurs when the distraction is caused by something outside of the body. It usually happens as a result of the people, environment, or objects around us.

We hope you've made a list of your life's distractions. Now, we'll go over each one in depth in order to find a solution and relieve the stress that comes with them. 

Some students may have a long list of distractions, while others may have a short list. Here are the top three reasons why people become distracted and procrastinate.

1. People: Your family, friends, and network can have a positive or negative impact. Distractions are almost always negative. When you are sitting down for important work, either a family member or a friend calls you with a problem.

You might also find it distracting if your coworker starts talking about her personal life with you or if someone asks for your assistance. In this case, you choose to respond to distraction because you are afraid of being disappointed if you do not answer that person's call. So, even if you concentrate on your study-related task or activity, you are prone to becoming distracted.

Here is a solution to this problem. To avoid distractions, you should pause all immediate communication methods before sitting down to study or do important work.

If you can't ignore it, make a note of it and post it where you work or study. You must mentally prepare yourself to control your procrastination.

2. Phone: The phone and the various apps that can be installed on it are the second sources of distraction. We've lost sight of the fact that "a phone is a tool that works for you, not against you." These tried-and-true tips will assist you in avoiding phone distractions:

• Remove any unnecessary apps: All of the apps you require are easily accessible on modern smartphones. As a result, instead of keeping apps you don't use, delete them to eliminate distractions. If you require them later, you can reinstall them.
• Turn off notifications: If your smartphone's internet is turned on, notifications will appear every time you sit down to study. This interferes with your concentration and distorts you, so disable app notifications. You can close the notifications for the respective apps by going to the settings section.
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Cellular Data: Instead of being available all the time, schedule times when you will answer emails and respond to messages. Aside from that, turn off your mobile data or Wi-Fi to avoid distractions.
• Organize your apps as follows: Keep the final app list organised. You can save time by not searching for and using unnecessary apps this way.

3. Internal

The first trigger for any distraction is thought. To deal with these thoughts, all you need to do is manage yourself with positive self-talk. Remember, "What you say is what you feel." So why not choose to be positive?'

Consider the following: Consider whether you have anything important to do right now. If you answered yes, don't let that thought become a distraction.

Control where you sit: Sit in a quiet place. Make sure there is no interference from other sources. This includes family members, pets, and other considerations.

Stay aware: Always be aware of what you are thinking and doing. When you notice yourself losing focus, tell yourself that you need to remove distractions from your environment.

While these distractions are common, we've seen how they can be easily dealt with before or during study sessions.

Let us now go over some general tips for avoiding distractions.

How do you concentrate on your studies?

The effective tips provided below will assist you in remaining focused on your specific goal. This way, minor distractions will not divert you from your goals.

1. Eliminate Temptations: Distractions are only a gateway to more distractions. As a result, if you avoid or eliminate temptations, you will never be distracted. To accomplish this, you must create a to-do list of your temptations and develop habits to eliminate distractions.

As previously stated, once you understand how much energy your brain expends when performing a specific task, you will understand the importance of eliminating temptations. It takes less effort for your brain to focus on one specific thing in front of you. 

On the other hand, focusing on two aspects at once will make it difficult to get the most out of each activity. As a result, the best course of action is to turn off these devices and eliminate distractions.

2. Establish Goals:

Have a plan and set goals for the day every day when you wake up. These goals will provide you with a path, guide you through the day, and help you avoid distractions. Set a reasonable number of goals and objectives.

It will assist you in creating a peaceful environment and eliminating distractions wherever possible. You will be able to eliminate stress and focus on your goals in this manner.

It will assist you in avoiding distractions as effectively as possible. When you have fewer goals, you will work more intently, and your mind will be less likely to wander.

3. Strict Time Limit

According to Parkinson's Law, "work tends to expand to fill the time we have available for its completion." As a result, set a shorter time limit for completing each task. It is a natural human tendency for us to become distracted as we devote more time to a task.

This is due to the fact that the respective aspirant will engage in various distractions in their spare time. Our brain is hardwired to save as much energy as possible. Setting a difficult deadline will assist you in avoiding distractions and increasing your productivity. This way, you can eliminate distractions while also avoiding procrastination.

4. Keep track of your timing

According to one recent Harvard study, nearly half of our waking time is spent thinking about random things. Keeping track of your time and mind is essential for avoiding distractions and increasing productivity. Monitor when your mind becomes distracted and bring it back after engaging in some useful activity.

While providing a short time frame is important, monitoring the time is also critical. The "Pomodoro Method" is an effective time management technique. In this technique, you set a timer and devote your full attention to a task for a set amount of time. Then you take a break for a set period of time. For example, work for 45 minutes and then relax for 15 minutes.

Thank You!

-Aks Fatima