- Feb. 28
- Richard Parker
Accountants: Stop the Distractions and Get More Done
Everyone can be prone to getting distracted. The world is full of distractions, and some things are just more appealing than getting your work done. Accountants can be just as easy to distract as anyone else, especially as a lot of your work might be computer-based, and you can often have clients calling you too. Being distracted all the time isn’t exactly convenient, and it can really affect your productivity.
If you want to stop being so distracted and get more done, you can find techniques for removing the things that distract you and staying on track.
Don’t Multitask
Many people think that they can multitask and spend a lot of time trying to do several tasks at once. However, in reality, people are not very good at multitasking. You might try to multitask, but it simply means that you’re not giving any of the tasks you’re working on your full attention. Multitasking perhaps seems like a good idea, but it could just mean that you take longer to get everything done, and you don’t complete it to the best quality either. It’s much better to work on one task at a time and avoid being distracted by other tasks.
Remove Online Distractions
Accountants often need to be connected to the internet to get their work done. If you don’t need to be online, disconnecting is a good way to remove a lot of distractions. However, if you do need to stay connected, it can be tempting to do everything from checking social media to reading the news. If you want to prevent yourself from getting distracted, a bit of self-discipline is essential. However, you can also get help from tools such as site blockers. These will allow you to block the sites that you don’t want to visit, so you can stay on task.
Field Your Calls
Phone calls from clients and others can be very distracting when you’re trying to get things done. If you find that phone calls interrupt you when you’re working, or you just don’t particularly like answering the phone, get someone else to do it for you. Use a phone answering service for accountants, and you can get your calls taken care of. You can have your calls vetted or get messages taken, which you can check when you have time. Alternatively, turn your phone off when you really don’t want to talk to anyone, and people can leave messages when they call.
Take Breaks
It can be difficult not to get distracted if your brain is getting tired. If you don’t take regular breaks, you could start to get more and more distracted. Give yourself some time to refresh and restart your brain so that you’re able to concentrate better when you’re working. As well as stopping your work for a while, it’s a good idea to move away from your desk, whether it’s by going to make a coffee or taking a walk.
If you’re an accountant struggling with distractions, take control of your working hours so you can get more done.