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Many people have found the internet as a new source of income. While the ability to make money online can be a blessing, it comes with its disadvantages. One major pitfall with working online are the many distractions that are constantly beckoning you. Yes, you know, the instant messages, emails and other forms of communication that are constantly pulling you away from your work. If this sounds familiar, read on for a few tips on how to avoid these distractions.
Group the things you need to get done in particular time-frames. For instance, if you have to reply to emails do so before you start your work. The same goes for phone calls or other online discussions. Getting this out of your way before you begin work can help your concentration.
After you've gotten done with your emails, phone calls or any other tasks that may serve as distractions while you work, you have to take the big decision and unplug. This means that you sign out of your IM, get out of networking sites and pledge not to visit these sites while working. This may sound just as hard as making investment in stocks decisions, but it is important to your productivity.
In addition to signing out of your instant messenger, consider limiting the number of notifications you receive. Think about it: every time your back screen starts flashing with the message that you've received a new email, you leave your work to check out what you've received. This pulls you away from your work and breaks your concentration.
After a healthy stretch of work, it is important to take breaks. When you take breaks you are giving yourself a chance to freshen up, so to speak. This can help stimulate your mind so that when you actually get back to work, you'll get things done more efficiently than you would if you were drained.
Group your tasks. Getting similar tasks done in groups can seriously help you avoid distractions, get what needs to be done out of the way and move on the next task. This may mean that within your schedule you set up a time to respond to all vital email during the morning and another time during late afternoon. Grouping the same activity into certain time periods can help you get these done quickly and efficiently.
Freelancing may sound like the perfect plug and play profit system, but in fact, it takes a lot of time, discipline and persistence to have a successful online career. Most people who are involved with online careers work from home. Yes, this can have its benefits, but it can also have many distractions! Work during the times you know you'll have the least amount of distractions, and set the rules for your environment. Good luck!
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