Feeling unproductive and distracted at work is something that many people struggle with. Whether there is simply too much going on in your work environment or you are dealing with something in your personal life, it can be very easy to lose your focus when you’re on the clock. So, how do eliminate distractions and get back on track?

Start by taking the following steps:

Create daily to-do lists

Being able to visualize what you need to accomplish each day can be especially helpful when needing to eliminate distractions. To do this, set aside five to ten minutes every morning to map out what you should be working on throughout the day. If something takes longer than anticipated or you unexpectedly receive an urgent request, this list can help you keep the big picture in mind as you prioritize your responsibilities.

Turn off notifications

Reacting to all your incoming text and email messages can make it difficult to keep your focus on certain projects. To eliminate distractions such as these, try to turn off your email and/or phone notifications for an allotted amount of time each day.

Limit media distractions

In a similar vein, make it more difficult to check into your personal social media profiles throughout the day. For example, you can log out of the accounts on your phone and/or internet browser or even install an app or plugin to control how much time you spend on these sites.

Take strategic breaks

Though it may seem counter intuitive, taking small, scheduled breaks can actually help you eliminate distractions and regain your focus. Whether you do this by taking a short walk, grabbing some coffee, or reading an interesting article, this break should leave you feeling recharged and ready to see your work from a new perspective.

Set personal deadlines

It can be difficult to motivate yourself to start big projects when the work feels overwhelming or you are distracted by your colleagues. To help keep these tasks on track, try setting self-imposed deadlines and sticking to them. Being proactive not only shows your manager that you take ownership of your work, but also allows you to make a greater impact on the organization

Take care of yourself

If you are already feeling overwhelmed, trying to push these feelings back will only make them worse in the long run. It’s important to ensure you are getting enough sleep, have time to do things you enjoy, and feel like you have a support system in place.

Read also: 4 Ways To Improve Your Work-Life Balance