How To Eliminate Social Media Distractions And Get Work Done

Nov 18 2009 Comments

Social Networks

Social media is such a huge distraction sometimes. New followers, new replies, new private messages! Oh look, there goes a new Twitter list. It starts to become easy for us take our eyes off the real ball: our work. We struggle with getting out of the conversations and content to get back to what we’re supposed to be doing. As naturally social creatures, we can’t help ourselves. Well here are a few techniques I use to get back to the money as they say.

  • Make A Work Flow (And Stick To It)

    Inside of my Google Calendar I have a workflow that I try to stick to everyday no matter what. I set aside time to participate in my friend’s Twitter conversations 2x a day for about an hour. While I may not always stick to it, it helps to remind me of what I should be doing to accomplish my goals. I recommend Louis Gray’s Social Media Workflow post to get a better idea of what you should create.
  • Social Media: Trick or Treat

    Trick yourself with a treat. Whenever you know you need to get off Facebook, just trick yourself with a social media treat. The sooner you get your work done (or a part of your work done), the sooner you can take a break and finish playing Farmville in Facebook.
      

  • Play Music That Moves You

    I am a hip-hop addict! Hip-hop songs move me and motivate me in ways that technology can’t begin to touch. So, I listen to songs that energize me or put me a mood that’s conducive to getting me to work. Sometimes, I’ll create a playlist and let the music play in the background while I work too. Try it and see if it helps you too.
       

  • Research Your Tasks Using Social Media

    This technique almost always gets my creative juices going. Whatever I need to do that social networks are distracting me from, I start reading about it within those social networks. Reading about what I need to do stimulates me to want to do it and can even help me figure out better ways to accomplish the task at hand. It’s a win/win situation if you just can’t help yourself.

 

Social Pause & Reflect

Using a mixture of these techniques over time, it’s become a lot easier for me to not only get in and get out of the conversation, but also make the most of it. They’ve become great habits through discipline, focus, and commitment.

  • How do you stay focused on work, while making the most of your social networking time?

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  • Jason
    I guess many people already do this, but I find keeping Facebook notification emails turned off really helps my productivity. I used to receive frequent emails about someone commenting after me or accpeting a friend request. Those emails really increase my temptation to stop what I'm working on and log on to Facebook for at least a few minutes.
  • Great Post - Cool idea about scheduling Twitter time (and the like) into google calendar - I might try that!

    Cheers!
  • Glad you found it helpful Jodie!
  • Good post, they say the truth will make people squirm - but not me :-) Thanks for sharing..
  • This social media thing has taken over. When twitter was down this summer I got an assignment done in two hours that I had been struggling with for TWO WEEKS! I downloaded leech block. I pray it works. I am going to try that workflow idea. Anything.
  • It definitely sounds like you need a workflow and a little more discipline on your part. Social Media isn't a pop-up. You control when you see them and for how long. Keep me posted on how your workflow comes out.
  • Nice post Corvida !

    Getting off track is something that is easy to do. Using a workflow is a great idea. One thing that I have found that works for me is to break my daily workflow up and use a kitchen timer to allow myself a set amount of time for each task. This especially applies to time on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Timers are very helpful for sticking to workflows. I'll had to update the post and add that in today. Thanks for the idea Stefanie.
  • Gabriella
    While I agree with some of the points you make to eliminate distractions while working I don't think you can really come up with a solution for an individuals lack of focus. There are just to many variables specific to each individual that while one person may think it is easier to focus while listening to "moving music" others may find it to be the biggest distraction. I think a basic way to stay focused on work and leave all distractions on social networks behind is to simply disconnect, as someone mentioned below. This way there is no way for one to even attempt to go on facebook, twitter, etc. If internet access is crucial to the work being done then you need to set your priorities and simply don't sign in until your finished or don't start a work "flow" unless you have satisfied your urge to check all your social networking sites.
  • These suggestions are to be used to help anyone's lack of focus, concentration, or motivation. One size won't fit all, but what I suggested are popular and effective ways to combat typical and average problems that take us away from our work. Disconnecting is a great way, but the majority of my readers can't afford to do that for every block, especially when they're work is online.

    However just like any type of knowledge, it's only good when you use it.
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