| I've been distracted. My email popped up a | | | | first place. Plan one hour hear and there where you |
| sweepstakes opportunity that led me to the DIY | | | | can get out and enjoy the sunshine, great weather and |
| Network which made me start looking for ways to | | | | the family. |
| sign up for the shows. After about thirty minutes of | | | | 4. Find a partner. If there is someone else who works |
| distraction I realized I had my next post. | | | | at the same times that you work then they can check |
| I have a limited amount of time each day. The 10 week | | | | in with you through out the day - preferably a quick IM, |
| challenge that I gave myself and the steps I'm taking to | | | | text message or email - and encourage you to |
| reach each goal help me to utilize my time. But no | | | | accomplish your to-do list. |
| matter how well I attempt to plan there are distractions | | | | 5. Watch the load. Over loading the must do portion of |
| that often getting in my way. Defeating the distractions | | | | the to-do list can leave you feeling so overwhelmed |
| and getting back on track can take patience, energy | | | | that you don't even know where to start. Remember |
| and support. | | | | to make smaller tasks out of the larger tasks and to |
| Defeating Distractions | | | | spread it out! |
| 1. Use a timer for those tasks that can easily eat up | | | | 6. Shake if off. The truth is that we all get distracted |
| your day (like checking emails or doing "research"). | | | | even if we are in a perfect working environment. Our |
| Having a buzzer go off could be all the motivation you | | | | thoughts can wander off into worlds all their own. |
| need to get back to the task you should be doing. | | | | Shake it off, get up and do something manual then get |
| 2. Spread out the work. Sitting and grading papers (or | | | | right back to it. Never give up and never give in. |
| writing articles or doing household chores) for hours on | | | | I have been distracted but I have come out on top of |
| end can make your brain begin to sizzle. Spreading the | | | | the distraction! I am re-energized to do what needs to |
| work out into smaller chunks gives you a since of | | | | be done. Distractions are going to happen. It is how |
| accomplishment and keeps you fresh. | | | | they are handled that will determine if I continue on to |
| 3. Schedule time for play. All work and no play kind of | | | | the possibilities or stay behind in my own perceived |
| defeats the reason many of us work at home in the | | | | limitations. |