Say Goodbye to Distractions and Stay on Task!

(Photo credit: Out.of.Focus)

Apps, texts, cute puppy photos, prank YouTube videos, Facebook feeds, and delicious foods on Pinterest are just some of the distractions that I am faced with on the daily. I mean how can you focus at work when your friend just sent you the funniest Buzzfeed link?!

It’s hard to “turn off” from all this distracting technology to accomplish a task – so, for today’s “Fab Find” I found some awesome apps to help block out the “noise” of everyday life, and get focused!

Computer Apps 

1. SelfControl
Some days it’s just too hard to be good and not check your favorite Twitter feed.  This app will deny you access to your social media sites for the amount of time you choose. You are still able to access the Internet — just no more “liking” cute dog photos, at least for a little while.

2. Pomodoro
This is a time-management technique turned app. The idea behind Pomodoro is that it gives you 25 minutes to work on a certain task, and then you can take a short break( 5 minutes) or a long break (15 minutes.) This keeps you on task, but allows you to refresh your mind (and maybe update your Facebook status.)

3. TimeOut
This week I got so sucked into a project that I almost forgot to eat lunch (and that’s my favorite meal!) This app will remind you that it’s fine to take a break. At set intervals it will alert you to kick up your feet for a few minutes!

4. StayOnTask

Need a little nudge every once in a while to get motivated?  Download this app right on your desktop, and it will randomly check up on you to make sure you are staying on track.  It’s like your own personal motivator.  How awesome!

Smart Phone Apps

1. StayFocused
Smartphones can be the worst distractions. StayFocused will help keep you in check, by blocking any apps, calls, and text messages. But if you are expecting a call from a colleague  or an important food delivery you can make a “block exception.”

2. The Mobile Flow
Get into the “flow” and track your time — smartphone free. All you have to do is put your phone on airplane mode and when you are done with your work re-enable it. The app will tell you how long you were in the “flow” and keep track of your highest records. You’ll be surprised how nice it is to be disconnected for a bit.  There’s also a social element to it so you can Tweet and brag about how much time you stayed productive.

3. 30/30
Need to finish a proposal for work, clean the kitchen, and try out a new recipe? Try this app! Just set up your list of tasks and the length of time for each – then start the timer, and it will tell you when it’s time to move on to the next task. The most important thing to remember with this one is to be realistic about just how long each task should take you.

When you steer clear of distractions for even just a short amount of time you can get so much accomplished! Now, don’t let me distract you any longer. Go try out these apps and get focused 🙂

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