1. When one enters the synagogue, one should not hurry to pray immediately upon entering, as his mind will not be focused. Instead, he should wait for the amount of time it takes to walk eight tefachim (between 64 and 80 centimeters). (Shulchan Aruch and Mishne Berurah 90)
2. One should also not pray within eight tefachim of the entrance of the synagogue as he will end up looking at whatever is happening outside and will be unable to concentrate. Even if the entrance does not open to the outside he should still not sit in close proximity to the entrance, as it appears as if staying in the synagogue is a burden for him and he wants to leave as soon as possible. (ibid)
