Technology is designed to make our lives easier, allowing us to do things more quickly or efficiently.

Two decades ago, new technologies like email and teleconferencing led to a rise in productivity for business owners and professionals. Information flowed with greater speed and ease. Collaboration with coworkers and communication with clients and prospects became easier than ever before.

We still enjoy the conveniences afforded by modern technology. But technology is also a master of distraction.

Our SmartPhones are always on, buzzing and beeping, calling for our attention. A seemingly endless stream of emails and phone calls distracts us, and pulls our attention away from what we’re doing. Time – a precious and limited resource – slips away, and too often we fall short of reaching our goals.

Technology can be used to improve productivity, but too many people let it distract them. The real key to productivity – getting more accomplished in less time – is focus.

Here are 3 tips to help you improve your ability to focus:

Stop multitasking.

You might have a to-do list so long that you think the only way to make real progress is to multitask. But in reality, multitasking is impossible. You can’t do more than one task simultaneously, because both tasks require focus. When people think they are multitasking, they’re actually alternating between different tasks, or “switch-tasking”. The problem with switch-tasking is that it takes time to stop one task and shift focus to another task, only to stop that task and shift focus back to the first task.

To boost productivity, focus 100% of your attention on one task until it’s completed, and then move on to the next task. You’ll waste less time, achieve more and produce better results.

Schedule your tasks in writing.

You start off the day with the best intentions to accomplish this goal or that task. However, unless you schedule time to complete each task, you will inevitably be pulled in different directions and get distracted. Set aside specific blocks of time to complete the tasks on your list, and pencil them into your day planner. Once the allotted period of time runs up, move on to the next task.

Be sure to schedule breaks to refresh yourself, so that you can focus properly during your next “work block”. During scheduled work time, don’t take calls or check your email. Close the door to your office, and turn off electronic notifications – including the ringer on your phone. Each chime or ring is a focus-killer, even if you don’t respond to it. To make sure you stay on top of communications, schedule set time for phone calls and email correspondence. If you are worried that you’ll get so absorbed in the task at hand that you lose track of time, set a timer.

Create a productive workspace.

Your workspace should be designed to help boost your productivity, not hinder it. Your mood and ability to accomplish tasks are impacted by how you set up your workspace. The first step is to have a designated work space. You may work at home, but that doesn’t mean you should work just anywhere. Find a room in your home with a door you can close to shut out distractions (such as pets or a television). Setting aside an official work space will help create a psychological barrier between home (“play”) and the office (“work”).

Get the furniture you need to work comfortably. A comfortable worker is a more productive worker! Invest in a chair with proper back support, and make sure you have good lighting, so you don’t strain your eyes. Keep your office orderly, clean and minimal, free of mind-dizzying piles of paper and scattered post-it notes. When your desk is clean, your mind won’t wander as easily from one thing to another. The less clutter you have, the fewer distractions there will be. Be sure to keep the things you need easily accessible.

Finally, wear headphones to eliminate noises that distract you, whether from conversations in the other room or construction outside. You can even listen to music or the sound of rain – if that doesn’t sidetrack you. Headphones can eliminate all ambient noise, such as from trucks, copiers or other sources. Let your family or colleagues know they shouldn’t interrupt when your headphones are on (unless there’s an emergency).

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I teach my clients strategies proven to help them focus on their goals, produce greater results and build a legacy business. If you’d like to eliminate distractions and become a master of productivity, I can empower you to “Double Plus” your income this year.

Implement the strategies above, and you’ll discover you have more time in the day to focus, achieve your goals, and enjoy the fruits of your productive, prosperous labor.