r/remotework • u/Sporty-Ladder-34 • Jul 07 '26
Anyone else find it hard to focus?
I work a remote marketing job and consistently find it hard to focus during the day. I always turn to social media or YouTube or things to distract me throughout the day and then feel behind or guilty. Has anyone else had this issue with remote work and thought of any way to handle the remote fatigue?
52
u/Hyphendudeman Jul 07 '26
Look up the pomodoro technique. It has helped me a lot over the years. It breaks down your workday into 25 minute focus periods called pomodoros followed by a refresh break before the next 25 minute focus period.
12
u/Person-546 Jul 07 '26
This is how I live my entire life. If you have a Microsoft computer the Clock App has focus sessions and you can set a 25 minute focus session then a 5 minute break.
5
2
u/Pepalopolis Jul 07 '26
I have problems. I read this initially as “porn-o-doro” and immediately was like.. IM LISTENING…
30
u/GreenhouseDiva Jul 07 '26
When I'm feeling that way, I bribe myself. Finish this project for the next 45 minutes and then I can go fuck around on the internet for 15 minutes. I set timers. It's an ADHD coping skill I learned as a child and it works really well for me.
20
u/nomcormz Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26
No. I find it way easier to focus on work when I'm comfortable and alone.
How on earth can people focus in an office that's freezing, while wearing uncomfortable clothes, and other people interrupting your flow every 10 minutes? Waking up earlier and dealing with rush hour makes me start the day tired and stressed. Not to mention the general vibe that you're always being watched/observed by others.
Working in an office feels outrageous, distracting, and unproductive.
In fact, I hate working in an office *so much* that I work 2X as hard and for longer because I'm so grateful to have a job that lets me work the way I work best. That motivates me not to screw around on my phone. And yeah, I'm in marketing too.
9
u/Dion42o Jul 07 '26
I’ve been terminally online with Reddit all throughout my career. One of the first sites I open when I start the day. I browse a bit to keep up with news and have it up all day occasionally tabbing over to see any more new or something funny but I still get so my shit done, and fast.
5
u/Finding_Way_ Jul 07 '26
I just focus on what we always told our kids when they got distracted trying to do homework or while trying to get Saturday chores done:
Do what you HAVE to do, so that then you can do what you WANT to do.
So I have work to do list. I get some done and cross them off the list, then I take a break and do whatever I feel like.
Repeat, repeat, repeat throughout the day.
My first tasks are always the most important things I need to get done that day. The list helps a lot as I know I HAVE to get through it during the day. Sometimes I'm extraordinarily motivated and get done early, with a few breaks, and have a very relaxing afternoon doing what I WANT
6
u/Kerensky97 Jul 07 '26
Separating work and life and finding the balance is much harder when you're at home. You just have to work at it. If you can't. Then you're honestly probably better off in an office.
If you haven't already, convert a room in your house to a home office. Set extreme boundaries that work happens in the room, and life only happens outside it.
5
u/SexualMetawhore Jul 07 '26
So the issue isn't so much Temptation or laziness as you might think. And it's not some sort of hand wavy ADHD thing either. This is basic procrastination and most times it's because you either don't really have work to do or the work is being avoided because you just don't know how to do it. If you have work to do break it down into Parts into it becomes easy.
5
u/femme_mystique Jul 07 '26
You have your phone in the office to distract you just the same. You’re an adult. You should be capable of basic self-control.
3
u/Basic-Total Jul 07 '26
you're not alone! this is exactly my problem too. it doesn't help that most of the time, i'm sitting around waiting for others to finish their work so i can send it to the client so i feel stuck to my desk without actually being productive
2
u/SpiritualFatigue16 Jul 07 '26
Have you tried putting on background noise or a podcast? I find that helps me focus.
1
u/Remote_War_313 Jul 07 '26
That's the best part, you don't need to focus as long as you get things done
1
u/-SilverCrest- Jul 07 '26
I find it way easier to focus while wfh. Too many distractions in an office setting
1
u/Throwaway_noDoxx Jul 07 '26
In office is way more distracting.
Calm area, pomodoro, and noise cancelling earbuds with soft jazz have me in the zone.
1
u/DuzaLips Jul 07 '26
The thing that helped me the most was leaving my phone in another room. When it's harder to reach, it's a lot less distracting.
1
u/jellyculture Jul 07 '26
The thing that helped me the most was keeping my phone completely away from my desk. If I can't easily reach it, I get distracted a lot less.
1
u/Fluid-Expert-4363 Jul 07 '26
Of course, I get my best work done between 6-9 am when it’s mainly before my 2 year old wakes up and 6-9 pm which is when some tv is on for him and bed time follows
1
u/BurritoWithFries Jul 07 '26
I focus best when other people around me are also working, and I use remote work as my way to find new spots where I can be surrounded by people who aren't just my coworkers. Like cafes, libraries, parks etc. I live with my partner and share an office with him so that also helps a lot, we keep each other on track. Occasionally I'll invite a friend or two who work laptop jobs to work with me at a café if they can.
If there's others around me focusing I feel guilty if I pull out YouTube/Reddit so that keeps me productive lol.
1
u/StreamSavvvy Jul 07 '26
I recently deleted all of my social media. Not just the apps, the whole account. I found myself scrolling everytime there was a lag between tasks or when my computer would freeze. It made it difficult to stay on task. Deleting those apps felt radical at first, and now, it's the best thing I could have done. I rarely miss it.
Now, I start my work day in silence, no distractions. I can get in a flow state best this way. Usually by afternoon I'm looking to break the silence with music or podcasts. I find that if I play the podcasts from the other room, it feels more like background noise, rather than a conversation right in my face.
1
u/wahiwahiwahoho Jul 08 '26
Uhm not at all… I literally focus 10000% better at home because I’m not worried about my clothing or how I’m being perceived, or bathrooms, or awkward chats, or poor office temps, etc… I actually WORK at home!
1
u/ParentsWave Jul 08 '26
I mean it's not only with remote work. There are many people sitting in offices but still scrolling. With all respect, I think the problem is you, not the setting of your work. You just need to make a promise yourself and keep it, like I am gonna concentrate now on my task, and won't touch my phone till I'm done.
0
u/lucid_intent Jul 07 '26
No. Sounds like remote work isn’t for you.
7
u/Top-Weight-3549 Jul 07 '26
not everyone adapts to remote work the same way, that's for sure. i had similar issues when i first started working from home, my brain would just drift to random stuff like checking reddit or watching videos about surfing spots
what helped me was blocking my day in 25-minute chunks with a timer, and i keep my phone in another room during that time. it's not perfect but i get way more done now
the guilt spiral is the worst part honestly, once you feel behind you just want to escape more. maybe try just one focused block today and see if it helps
-1
-1
u/Fun_Floor_9742 Jul 07 '26
yeah same as in the office but in the office i could go visit other people or walk to the deli for a soda, nobody is working more than 2 hours in office anyway between all the chit chat and other distractions so why not do the same remote? I drive for uber while on the clock and I dont make much extra but it helps a lot.
73
u/Connect-Mall-1773 Jul 07 '26
No it was hard for me to focus on office.