How to Focus on Work Online

Try to eliminate offline work distractions, such as the telephone and newspaper.

If you access the Internet for work -- remotely at home or at the office -- you may suffer online distractions of some kind. Harmon.ie, a social email developer, conducted a study that found that millions of dollars are wasted annually on Web-based distractions. You might wander from your assigned work tasks due to your own free will and wanting to be in the know. In other situations, you are bombarded with distracting advertisements after navigating to a website. If you are bothered by online distractions, you can use tools readily available on a PC to help you regain your focus.

Instructions

1. Create a second or additional user account that is only set up with work-related applications and programs. In Windows, begin by clicking on "Start." Type "User Accounts" in the search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Press "Enter" to open the User Accounts window. Select "Manage Another Account" and the click "Create A New Account." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Make this work account a "Standard User" account so that you are not tempted to download or install fun games and programs from the Internet.

2. Activate parental controls that block specific websites that distract from working online. Type "Windows Live Family Safety" in the search box at the bottom of the Start menu and then press "Enter." Log in in and follow the instructions to block websites that distract you from work.

3. Use pop-up blocker features in the Internet browser to prevent distracting advertisements from opening up on your screen as you visit various websites. In the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, click on the "Tools" button. Select "Pop-Up Blocker." Choose "Turn On Pop-Up Blocker."

4. Schedule your daily work tasks and events in a calendar application that displays reminders on the screen to help keep you focused. Type "Windows Live Mail" in the search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Press "Enter." Sign in with your Windows Live ID. Click the "Calendar" icon in the bottom left pane. Schedule daily tasks and set timed reminders.

Tips & Warnings

• If Windows Live Family Safety and Windows Live Mail (for the Calendar) are not pre-installed in Windows 7, you can download the program from the Windows Live website.

• You may need to create a new Windows Live ID.

• Administrator privileges might be required to access some of the Windows features.

References

• Microsoft: Windows 7: What Is A User Account?
• Microsoft: Windows 7: Protecting Your Kids With Family Safety
• Microsoft: Windows 7: Internet Explorer Pop-Up Blocker: Frequently Asked Questions
• Microsoft: Windows 7: Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker: frequently asked questions
• Mashable; Social Media Distractions Are Costing Businesses Major Money; Jolie O'Dell; May 2011

Resources

• Read Write Web; 6 Excellent Tools For Writing Without Distractions; John Paul Titlow; July 2011
• Windows Live: Sign Up (Windows Live ID)
• Windows Live Family Safety 2011