Your focus needs to be laser-like. But for some reason it tends to wander. These few reminders from GenuLines will help keep you on the beam.
Trouble Staying Focused? This Might Help
We all have days when we’re struggling to stay focused on our work. One of the first things you should look at is distractions.
Various things and people can keep us from concentrating and getting work done. Let’s look at what shape and form these distractions may take and what you can do to lose them.
Then we’ll look at how you can get back to staying focused.
Physical Distractions
First the obvious. There can be all sorts of things that distract you in your office, or around your desk. This could be your phone blinking each time you get a new social media alert or email.
It could be your email program on your laptop notifying you of incoming messages. It could be your phone ringing, or that pile of files sitting on the corner of your desk that you know you need to deal with.
If you’re working at home it could also be that sink full of dirty dishes. Or the washing machine beeping to let you know it’s finished.
The key here is to realize that you’re in control of your work space. Turn your phone to silent and stick it in a drawer, or lay it upside down while you’re working.
Turn off the phone’s ringer, and either deal with the files now, or stick them in a drawer until you can take a look at them. Cut out the physical distractions as much as possible.
Then work on staying focused and getting your work done. The key here is also to make a conscious choice of when to deal with things that tend to interrupt you.
Distracting People
People who show up and distract you can be a little harder to deal with. You need to work with others.
You want to cultivate friendships. And there are times when you have to deal with a family situation, no matter how big a work deadline you have looming.
Setting expectations helps. So does making it clear that there are times when you need to shut your office door.
If you can set aside a time and make a schedule of sorts. Let people know when you must work without interruption.
At other times having an open door can help. This works well with co-workers, but also with family and friends.
Mental Distractions
Last but not least there are mental distractions. They can be the trickiest to keep at bay since there’s not a lot you can do to shut them out completely.
Thoughts will pop into your head and do their best to distract you. It helps to keep a notepad nearby.
You can jot those thoughts down. Later you can go back and check on things after you’re done with your task.
For example, if you’re worried if your check cleared, make a note.
Then get back to work.
Check your online bank account during your break.
By writing it down, you don’t have to worry about remembering to do it.
JohnK 12-13-2021
Overheard: “Focus does not mean saying yes, it means saying no” ~Steve Jobs
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