I hate shopping at the mall.
I hate it because the mall’s entire purpose is to ambush me and make it way too easy for me to spend all my money.
I can’t just walk through the mall to get to where I need to shop; I have to run the gauntlet of ten thousand other stores, each one clamoring for my attention and dollars.
I realized when I was at the mall the other day that my blogging experiences are just like my mall experiences!
It should be really easy for me to just slip inside WordPress, write a post, and be done with it. But instead I have about a million other things that distract me from getting my work done as quickly and efficiently as I need to.
Well, it’s not quite a million other things… More like 9.
In my last guest post for Traffic Generation Cafe, I talked about how struggling is an essential part of blogging. But that’s true only up to a point.
I want to struggle with things that will make me a better blogger and ultimately a better person!
Below are 9 kinds of distractions that I personally struggle with unnecessarily and that I think a lot of us struggle with.
1. Workspace distractions, part 1
Your immediate workspace needs to be free of distractions.
Having a TV, fridge, and you kid’s toys right next to your desk is a bad idea! These things take your attention away from the task at hand.
2. Workspace distractions, part 2
The area itself where you work (and not just the objects in it) needs to be conducive to your blogging.
If there are just too many distractions that make working at home difficult, go to the library or a coffee shop.
Maybe the room in your apartment where you normally blog looks out onto a busy street and is super distracting. If that’s the case, go into another room where you don’t have such a wonderful—but terribly distracting—view.
3. Computer distractions
I’m horrible at keeping my computer’s desktop clean and organized, and I waste a lot of time trying to find things that I’ve saved. But right now, as of writing this post, I’m committing to never have that be the case again!
Some people are distracted by computer games or various other kinds of software. If that’s you, just remember what your priorities are.
Is publishing that blog post more important than that game of spider solitaire?
If it’s becoming too much of a problem, realize that you can always uninstall that software!
I think another part of this is making sure your computer runs well. Deleting extraneous files and software will help, as will ensuring that you’ve got virus protection software.
4. Online distractions
The fact that there is an unlimited amount of information on the internet is both a blessing and a curse!
For me, Twitter is a big distraction. Others have Facebook addictions. Still others can’t get enough of reading other blogs. While all of these are healthy and valuable in moderation, they’re also a great for accosting you on your way to productivity.
Get what you NEED to get done first (writing blog posts, responding to emails, etc.) and then move on to everything else after that.
5. Email distractions
I check my email multiple times a day, but I know I need to cut back. Sure, it might only take me a minute or two to check your email, but if you do it 20 or 30 times a day it adds up to a significant chunk of time.
And think about it… Have you gotten any email lately that HAD to be responded to within a few hours? No? Me neither!
Once or twice a day is all that the vast majority of bloggers need.
When you DO check your email, respond to everything right then. Putting it off till later just creates one more undone stressor to hang over your head.
6. Mental distractions
One of the biggest things that can distract you from blogging is your own mind.
When I used to feel stress from school or when I feel stress from relationships or just everyday living, it’s really hard for me to sit down and write a solid blog post.
When I feel the slight guilt that comes from putting something else off, it’s hard for me to focus on blogging.
How you go about getting rid of those distractions is beyond the scope of this blog post and is different for every person. But having lived with yourself for so long now, you hopefully know what you need to do in order to have a clear mind.
7. Physical distractions
Before you sit down to write your opus, visit the restroom. Few things are more distracting and uncomfortable than having to… you know…
Don’t sit down if you’re hungry, and try to have a bottle of water there with you at your computer so you don’t have to get up when you’re thirsty.
If you can’t stand sitting in your chair for long periods of time, you might want to invest in a more comfortable one. I bought a great reclining chair and footstool from Ikea and it’s probably the single best thing I’ve ever done to increase my productivity!
8. Unnecessary self-educational distractions
I love reading blog other blogs and read at least a couple dozen blog posts every day. But I realize that always being on the lookout for more information can be a massive distraction.
Only read about what you need NOW.
If you’re just starting your blog, you don’t need to be reading up on membership sites or starting a blog network.
And don’t worry about bookmarking a post and coming back later to read it; the chances are pretty good that 1) you’ll never read it again anyway, 2) you’ll never NEED to read it, and 3) if you DO need to read it at some point in the future, there will likely be better, more current information.
9. Blog distractions
Wait, what? How can your blog distract you from… your blog?
Last night it was really late and I was working on a new post. I decided to “take a break” and check my email (mistake #1). This led me to go read a certain blog post (mistake #2) about a plugin that I didn’t even need, but thought was interesting. So I installed it (mistake #3), played around with it, and then uninstalled it. All of this was done while I should have been finishing my stupid post!
Moral of the story: sometimes my blog is my own worst enemy when it comes to being a productive blogger.
There’s just so much to tinker with and test that it’s easy for me to get caught up in it all!
Sure, these things might be useful for me or my readers, but not nearly as useful as solid, quality, original content, right?
How about you?
For me this post was both a confession and a sermon. It was all too easy to write about this because these are things that I struggle with every day.
I still hate malls, but hopefully I’ll manage to conquer some of my distracting demons on the blogosphere.
And if we all eliminate these 9 distractions, I think we’ll find that we have a LOT more time and energy to blog hard!
But how about you?
- Are there distractions other than the ones in the post here that you struggle with?
- What distractions do you have a particularly difficult time with?
- How do you deal with these distractions?
- What distractions do you promise to work on overcoming in the next week or two?
I’m really looking forward to the comments on this one! Remember that every comment here on Traffic Generation Cafe is read, thoroughly enjoyed, and speedily responded to 
I am a wife to a great husband of 13 years (here ya go, now I have to make changes to this sentence once a year), a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Tristan, great analogy!
Email is the worst distraction for me, especially if I’m expecting an important email. It has to be a real conscious effort for me to just forget about it and do what I need to do.
The other distraction is my telephone, my kitties and the birds outside my window.
I guess just about anything can become a distraction but there also comes a point where focus has to be taken a little more seriously. Some days are easier than others
Liz
Liz´s last blog ..How To Get More Blog Traffic
Great article, Tristan. I agree with your view on bookmarking the ‘information overload’ you’re reading. I find when I later see the bookmark again I often ask myself “now why did I save this article”?
Gibson Goff´s last blog ..When death comes aknocking
I’m the same way! I go back and look at my articles and just think, “What was I thinking…?” I’m glad you liked the article, and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment, Gibson. All the best!
Tristan Higbee´s last blog ..The Life of a Full Time Blogger’s Girlfriend and Tips for Significant Others
Hey Tristan,
Awesome post. I really like your writing style. Great to see you here again
Spot on with these distractions which we can all relate to. Thanks for your advice on how we can deal with them and stay focused.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong~Attraction Marketing Online´s last blog ..5 Top Tips That Will Transform Your Blog and Business
Thanks for the kind words, Mavis
And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I really do appreciate it!
Tristan Higbee´s last blog ..The Life of a Full Time Blogger’s Girlfriend and Tips for Significant Others
I love your take on bookmarking; something I’ve tried to teach over and over, some get it, some never will.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..About The New All-In-One DennisEdellcom – Everything You Could Possibly Want to Know…
Thanks, Dennis! The whole bookmarking thing is something I’ve learned from years of bookmarking thousands of pages… and never going back
I really appreciate the comment!
Tristan Higbee´s last blog ..The Life of a Full Time Blogger’s Girlfriend and Tips for Significant Others
Hi Tristan,
who wouldn’t be able to relate to your experiences that you present with a sense of humour and small dose of self-irony ?
I like the idea of struggling with something that makes us better. If we are struggling anyway, so the best thing is to choose a “battlefield” that helps us grow.
Thanks for sharing your honest insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last blog ..How To Improve Facebook Security
Oliver, I really appreciate your comment! Thanks so much for the kind words. And I love what you said about struggling: “We are struggling anyway, so the best thing is to choose a “battlefield” that helps us grow.” I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks again for commenting, and have a good one!
Tristan Higbee´s last blog ..The Life of a Full Time Blogger’s Girlfriend and Tips for Significant Others
Tristan,
You pretty much covered most of my distractions.
I find that the more I am under pressure to get things done the less time I spend on those distractions. I have also set a time frame for getting tasks done. Like emails twitter etc. Although it is not always easy to stick to it gives me a routine I fall back to.
But I would say that my major distraction is getting to much going on. Then I have too many unfinished cycles of action….which draws my attention.
Sheila Atwood´s last blog ..Masters Of The Web
I think setting a time frame for getting things done is a great idea, Sheila. I should do that. Most of the time I just move on to the next thing on my list with the vague sensation that I have to complete it sometime soon.
And I definitely can understand having too much going on! I always try to start a bunch of things all at once, thinking that if I don’t start them, I’ll forget about them. But that ends up wasting too much time, I think.
Thanks for the comment, Sheila!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..The Life of a Full Time Blogger’s Girlfriend and Tips for Significant Others
Tristan - It’s good to see that I am not the only person that has to deal with these distractions often. Three of my biggest distractions are my TV, reading other people’s blogs, and my email.
I like your advice on how to avoid these types of distractions and stay productive. It can be a little hard to deal with these distractions at first but with a little self discipline and some practice you can tune out all the different distractions and focus on what really matters at the time.
John´s last blog ..Making Use Of Reverse Cell Phone Lookup Directories
I definitely think there’s value in posts like this where people admit their faults and things they struggle with. Not only is it helpful for readers, but it helps the blogger (me!) because you guys leave more great tips in the comments!
I think the key for me will be just making these things consistently enough to where they’re a habit and I do them automatically.
Thanks for the feedback, John!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
Very very bad distractions! This is the part I hate, when distractions are on my way especially when I am in my deadline, Oh my I can’t think when there are distractions I just want to sit and watch everything around!
Isn’t funny how sometimes the biggest looming deadlines make you want to just sit and be a lazy bum on the couch? Hahaha. I know how you feel, Tia. Thanks for commenting!!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
Tristan:
I always enjoy seeing you over here on Ana’s sie. You have a great style and you are dead on with these dstractions. I too love reading other blogs to get information. I say I’m going to read a few and end up reading a couple dozen!
Between that and Twiter, I waste a lot of valuable time. It just goes back to the basic idea that we have to focus on our mission. I have been turning off my instant messenger and closing all my other tabs while I write my post. It has helped me immensely!
Lisa@basic marketing tips´s last blog ..One Powerful Untapped Opportunity For Linkbuilding
Thanks for the kind words, Lisa!
I’m the same way with blog reading. I get to a blog and then see someone’s comment and go read their blog, and then they mention another blog and I go read that one… And it’s just a vicious cycle that keeps going and going.
That’s awesome that you turn off your instant messenger and all other tabs. I turn off my phone for entire days at a time when I really need to get stuff done, much to the annoyance of those trying to reach me.
Thanks for commenting, Lisa!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
Hi Tristan,
I’ve battled many of the same distractions in the past.
My home looks like a museum, especially my office. They say order is heaven’s first law so my living space is…..well….quite heavenly
When I do feel like switching it up I work from the library. I find a quiet spot and either sit with the headphones on or zone out. Nobody tends to bother me when I am focused.
As for email I check it once a day. No exceptions.
Have you tried meditating yet Tristan? I think it will help you tremendously in the distractions department, as meditating has helped me to trim much of the fat, distraction-wise, from my life.
Thanks for sharing and have a powerful day!
RB
Ryan Biddulph´s last blog ..5 Uber Clever Ways to Advertise Your Home Based Opportunity
Ryan, no, alas, I fail at life and have not done the meditation thing yet…
I’m jealous of your museum house! Mine looks like… the room of a kid whose mother doesn’t make him clean up his toys.
I’ve also found the library to be a nice and quiet change of scenery.
Thanks for commenting, Ryan!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
A small question: Do hot girls in malls count as physical or mental distractions?
Wow. Uhhhmmm… Both?
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
LOL…wow was my first thought too!!
Lisa@basic marketing tips´s last blog ..One Powerful Untapped Opportunity For Linkbuilding
Tristan, I am sure pleased you have these challenges! I thought I was the only one. Funnily enough I wrote a post myself a while back about ‘focus’ and since then I’ve become even worse! (LOL)… well maybe not quite, but I feel like I should be in a confession box half the time because I ‘realllllyyyy” notice succumbing to my distractions. I’ve started turning my email off these days. Reading blogs or gathering additional information like a sponge on steroids is my problem. I just read and read and read… and could almost read the day away. I’m going to really try to listen to your advice (and mine!) … but again I am so glad (no offense) that you struggle with the same! I really enjoyed reading this! Jayne
Jayne Kopp´s last blog ..How to Learn and Earn Online for Regular Folks
Jayne, I hate to admit it, but it took me MUCH longer than it should have to write this post because I kept getting distracted! Ironic, eh?
“Like a sponge on steroids.” Hahaha. That’s awesome.
I’m the same way, though. I read and read and read and read. I love it, and I learn a ton, but it really does hinder my real productivity!
I’m glad you liked the post and that it helped! Thanks for commenting!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day
Hey Tristan
Good set of distraction there. All of which we can all relate to.
My main distraction is my mind. It likes to think ahead to much.
For example, I’ll be writing a post and an idea will come into my head. I like the idea and don’t want to forget it so I write it down, then get back to what I was doing. The problem is that I wont stop thinking about the new idea. This then hinders the current post I am working on. Something that could take me 30-40mins, now takes an hour+. Very frustrating.
Great post, thanks for sharing Ana
Chat soon
Dwayne
Dwayne Huggins@How To make Money Blogging´s last blog ..Guest Post Blogging The Powerful Traffic Generation Method Which No One Is Talking About
Dwayne, that is all too familiar. I go through that scenario multiple times a day. It’s hard for me to just buckle down and churn something out without getting distracted by a million other things.
Thanks for the comment, Dwayne!
Tristan@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..How to Run a Successful Blog on 1–3 Hours of Work a Day