Biggest online distractions at work that affect productivity

Ever since computers and the internet have entered the workplace, the online distractions for employees have increased significantly. Obviously, computers are a very useful tool and most businesses rely on these and other technologies to conduct transactions and run other operational processes. The downside is computers, gadgets and the internet tend to become time-consuming when distractions or temptations occur.

While it's true that many of these online distractions that grab an employee's attention are not work-related, there are still many online distractions that are related to the job, but are none the less are still distracting. In some cases, it can lead to increased levels of cyberloafing. So whether or not the online distraction is job-related or a personal temptation, either can cause a problem and prevent levels of work from getting done.

Work-related online distractions

Email

Email is probably the biggest work-related online distraction at work. Most people tend to leave their inboxes open during the work day and get notifications as new messages pop up. Out of habit, many people stop what they're doing to go read the message (I'm big-time guilty of this one!). At this point in time, the train of thought is interrupted.

Other reasons people get easily distracted by email because they don't practice good email management practices. This could be either saving messages for later or procrastinating typing a response. After a while, the content in the inbox tends to overflow and become overwhelming.

Instant messages

Envision being heavily involved in a project, writing a report, filling out an order, or speaking with a customer/client on the telephone and multiple instant messages pop up. Rather than ignore a message when it pops up or tell the person they'll get back to them, many people attempt to multi-task and do both.

Ultimately, what can end up happening is the person gets distracted from what they were doing and neither the original task nor the instant message gets full attention. Without concentration, mistakes are made.

Simultaneous projects

This is a tough one, especially when a boss assigns multiple projects that all have hard deadlines or multiple clients that need attention. In this case, employees may jump from application to application in order to try and get all done. However, this can take away clear focus and the projects may not get the full attention desired. If additional time is allotted from the get-go, the philosophy of starting early can help reduce distractions when doing the balancing act; increasing the ability to meet a project's standards by its deadline.

Online distractions of a personal nature

Social network sites

Facebook is likely today's biggest online distraction in the workplace. If you're a Facebook member you've undoubtedly seen how many of your friends and family spend the day playing around on Facebook taking quizzes, making comments or playing games. Other social network sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram may also consume time. Employees who are members of multiple online network sites can easily find themselves distracted for long periods of time if they aren't careful and don't resist the temptation to constantly check in.

Banking

Banking is another big online temptation. Since a computer is right on their desk, it's easy to log on, make balance transfers, pay bills or take care of other banking needs. However, this is another task that pulls attention from work and causes distractions.

Internet shopping

People are busy and the convenience of online shopping is very tempting, especially during the workday. Sometimes employees go to check out an item they want to price out or order and before they know it several minutes to an hour may have passed and their online shopping cart is full. This is probably especially true during the holiday season.

News sites

Years ago people used to bring their favorite daily paper to read. Today, people tend to hop online and check the daily headlines. However, since pages easily link to other stories, it's easy to fall down the rabbit hole (again, guilty!!) Before you know it, work time is being wasted. Unless you have strong self-restraint to read what you want immediately leave the web, clicking off a news site isn't the same as running out of stories to read in the paper since hyperlinks are endless.

Blogging

There are two classifications of blogging distractions, writing and reading. For those who have the itch to write, they may find themselves updating their blog during the work day "for just a quick entry". Those who have a large appetite to read may peruse their favorite blogs and then begin blog-hopping as they come across new stories of interest.

Games

A quick game can quickly become very addictive and, before you know it, hours can pass before you realize the day has gone by. If you don't want to waste valuable work time, it's a good idea to stay away from games at work - unless maybe it is a lunch hour or other designated break to take a breather.

Online distractions at work are many and whether or not the distraction is work or personal, it is still an interruption. If you find online distractions are a problem for you that you want to rectify, it's time to evaluate your surfing and internet habits and see which ones are most distracting to your getting work done.