{"id":98416,"date":"2025-01-21T13:12:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T21:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=98416"},"modified":"2025-01-23T10:22:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T18:22:30","slug":"create-a-distraction-free-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/create-a-distraction-free-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Create a Distraction-Free Space at Home: 8 Tips for Overcoming Procrastination in the New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cheers to the start of 2025\u2014a new year full of opportunities to set goals and tackle projects. But let\u2019s be honest, some of these goals\u2014both personal and professional\u2014may already be slipping further down your to-do list. And a few? Well, they haven\u2019t even been touched yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what\u2019s the real reason behind those unfinished goals? Chances are, it\u2019s a mix of procrastination and everyday distractions at home that make it tough to stay on track. The truth is, we all struggle with putting things off from time to time. Thankfully, we\u2019ve connected with some experts who share their practical strategies to help you create a distraction-free space at home, overcome procrastination, and make 2025 your most productive year yet. So, whether you\u2019re struggling with procrastination in <\/span>Seattle, WA<\/span>, <\/span><\/a>Austin, TX,<\/span><\/a> Kansas City, KS,<\/span><\/a> or anywhere else in the world, these tips will help you stay focused and get back on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Gain momentum with quick wins<\/span><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate how starting your day on the right note can help you stay focused and avoid procrastination. You might be wondering, \u201cWhat does that even look like?\u201d Well, here are some tips to help you kick off your day the right way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mo Wolfe, wellness coach and owner of <\/span>Evolution Pilates<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>Long Island, NY<\/span><\/a> suggests, \u201cStarting your day with a simple yet powerful act: making your bed. This small, deliberate task creates an immediate sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for an organized, productive day. It’s a reminder that even small wins can build momentum for tackling bigger challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Andrea Magda, owner of <\/span>Satsang Yoga Studio<\/span><\/a>, agrees and adds that these quick wins\u2014whether it\u2019s working on a task, <\/span>practicing yoga<\/span><\/a>, tackling a work project, or even doing a household chore\u2014add up over time. They help you build momentum, boost motivation, and prevent small tasks from piling up. Plus, they help alleviate decision fatigue by giving you a sense of accomplishment throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Eliminate all distractions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Distractions can seriously derail productivity, whether you’re working from home, heading to the office, or juggling a side project. \u201cIf you do all the work to get in the zone and then get distracted, it\u2019s incredibly frustrating,\u201d says <\/span>Greg Faxon<\/span><\/a>, Peak Performance Coach for Entrepreneurs. His advice? \u201cTurn off your phone or put it on Do Not Disturb, disable notifications on your computer, and block distracting sites using an app like <\/span>Freedom<\/span><\/a>. If you need a change of scenery, head to a coffee shop to reset.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mahjooba (MJ) Bianchi, PMP Coach and Instructor at <\/span>3T Career Institute<\/span><\/a>, adds, \u201cIf social media is your main distraction for <\/span>overcoming boredom<\/span><\/a>, you can use the 5-Second Rule to help. Simply count backward\u2014<\/span>5, 4, 3, 2, 1<\/b>\u2014and as soon as you hit “1,” close the social media app and open your work. This interrupts your brain\u2019s default avoidance pattern and helps you refocus. Even committing to work for just 10 minutes can break the procrastination loop and start building momentum.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Prioritize with a focused system<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the main reasons we procrastinate is because our to-do lists can feel overwhelming. With so many tasks on our plate, it\u2019s easy to get stuck or avoid making progress. The key to breaking through this is prioritizing your tasks in a way that helps you focus on what matters most. We\u2019ve listed three powerful strategies to help you reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and make it easier to take action, so you can tackle your day with more focus and less stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use the priority matrix<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the biggest reasons we procrastinate is because our to-do lists are overwhelming. Maria Medina, founder of <\/span>The Coaching Network<\/span><\/a>, suggests, \u201cUse a priority matrix to sort through your tasks, dividing them into four categories:<\/span><\/p>\n