It's quite difficult to stay focused and productive in our world today due to the loads of distractions we've got on the internet, regardless of what it is you're doing, be it writing, researching, or managing your online tasks, you'll be enticed by my different forms of distraction that are a click away, and if you aren't focused and disciplined, you'll find yourself being distracted and unable to be productive. I've been in that shoe and I've found my way around it which helps me stay organised, meet up with deadlines and maximise my time online, and below I'll be sharing how I did that with you.
On most occasions in the past when I was online to perform one task or another, I found myself drifting away from what brought me online and ended up doing something else, which led to a lack of productivity and distractions coming from every single corner online, from messages from friends on WhatsApp and Discord to intriguing news with captivating topics that begged to be clicked and read amongst many others, but seeing how that affected my productivity rate and the amount of time I had to spend to complete the necessary task, I knew that I needed to initiate a change and strategies towards making things work, and ways I do that are as stated below.
- Setting clear goals and priorities: Having a to-do list is one of the best decisions I've ever made towards staying productive online. I have loads of other activities to indulge in, the need to manage my time well is essential, and that's how I came about making a to-do list that helps me become productive. Whether I'm researching a topic, searching for concrete explanations and the best instructional aids, or writing, this guides me and helps me stay focused. To make this effective, apps such as Notion and Google Keep are usually my go-to apps because they help me store quick notes and set reminders.
- Time management and avoiding Distractions: In order to not get tangled in the web of distractions we've online, one needs a working technique that helps them stay on track, and for me, to not get distracted, I often just mute or freeze the applications that tend to distract me from the task at hand so their notifications won't pop up while I'm trying to do something important. Luckily for me, my phone has features that make that possible. Alongside blocking distractions, I usually also time myself, giving a form of competition that gets me to focus and glue to the task at hand.
- Using the Right Productivity Apps: To be productive, you need every single productive tool you can get, and for online activities, applications usually do the job; you just need to find the right one. For me, my go-to apps when it comes to productivity and working smart are;
Grammarly/QuillBot Grammar Checker: Each time I'm writing, I usually utilize these two apps to proofread my work as well as improve my writing and use of words.
Google Drive: When it comes to saving my work so I can access it from anywhere, this app is my go-to app, as it grants me access to all projects on the go, wherever I am.
There are several other ones, such as Trello, Evernote, and the likes. Overall, what they all do is help me stay organized and work efficiently.
- Taking breaks and avoiding burnout: It's quite easy to get worked up if we keep doing our online tasks, and that's why I, for one, usually create time to take a break and indulge in other activities that get my eyes off the screen, since spending loads of time online can lead to eyestrain, joint pains, and the like. These short breaks keep my mind refreshed and focused.
Overall, what I see as the pathway to staying productive online is being disciplined, using the right tools, and utilizing smart strategies. All of these have helped me make a difference in our online interactions and get the right results, and I'm sure they can work for others as well.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.