| iTunes, checking the weather, a few RSSfeeds | | | | considered adistraction. Additionally you can try |
| and a friend messages you on Google Talk and | | | | some temptation blocker software that reminds |
| before you know it 8hours have gone and you | | | | you to get back on track in case youare getting |
| haven't gotten anything done. All of | | | | distracted. |
| theseapplications running while you're trying to get | | | | There still is one problem. Co-workers. They pay |
| work done can spiralout of control. iTunes may | | | | visits and talk your ear off. Often they talk about |
| not play what you want, so you spend timefinding | | | | things you don't even care to hear about. To |
| the right song. Not to mention you could probably | | | | prevent this, I always like to do is put earphones |
| concentratebetter on work without music. People | | | | on. I pretend to listen to music. Usually nobody |
| always claim it helps them work,but I challenge | | | | approaches me while I have headphones on |
| anybody to test that theory. Weather alerts and | | | | unless they have something important to talk |
| RSSfeeds can take up hours of reading time. Is | | | | about. If somebody interrupts me, I either get rid |
| that storm going to hit us? Oh, that looks like an | | | | of them by explaining to them that I absolutely I |
| interesting blog!. Chatting can sometimes | | | | have to finish what I'm working on, or if the issue |
| takeforever because you just can't stop that one | | | | is truly urgent, I write down where I left off so I |
| friend from letting youknow about their great | | | | can continue later. |
| relationship, or the new car they bought. | | | | Now you're ready to get work done. It can be |
| So if you really want toget work done, just close | | | | easy if you stick to a program and have some |
| out of everything. Anything that doesn'tapply to | | | | discipline. |
| the task at hand shouldn't be open and should be | | | | |