It’s 4pm and you’ve still got a ton to tackle on your to-do list … sound familiar? Focus is something of a novelty these days. We’ve got cell phones for texting and calls, Twitter, Email, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram… the list goes on and on. If you don’t have ADD before you start working, it’s almost inevitable thanks to these inputs!
How many times have you sat at your desk and tried to focus on a task, only to find that your mind is wandering. Despite your best intentions, you just can’t concentrate … We’ve all been there.
A recent study done by Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert found that the more our minds wander, the unhappier we’ll be. According to these researchers, people are happier if they’re focused on the task at hand instead of thinking about something else. In short, being mentally “present” and focused doesn’t only boost productivity and success, but it will make you happier.
Make use of these 14 do-it-yourself strategies to improve your concentration, avoid distraction, and stay super productive all workday long:
• Start the day right. A healthy breakfast is a great way to set your day up for success. It’s hard to concentrate when you’re hungry. Fuel concentration throughout the day by keeping healthy snacks at your desk. Sounds like a cliché, but it really works!
• Exercise. Health and wealth go hand in hand! All Gore interrupts his work day at 3pm to go for a run. Mandela’s 5 am walks were legendary. Try a morning workout, getting active earlier provides energy and endorphins before heading into the 9 –to 5. Fitness is the driving force that will keep you focused, energised and motivated.
• Drink water. Dehydration can make you feel tired and irritable.
• Visualize your day, before it starts. Prepare your mind on what to expect… advanced focus!
• Work in the same location. Working at the coffee shop one day and at the office the next will make you super-vulnerable to distracting external stimuli.
• Make sure you’re comfortable. Your desk and chair should be at the correct height for you to work comfortably. If you’re uncomfortable, you’ll be tempted to use this as an excuse to get up and walk away.
• Declutter your work space. Only have what is needed on your work station (laptop, notebook, and water-bottle) to help you stay in the zone and get the job done.
• Lose the alerts. 60% of disruptions at work come from email, social networks and cell phones. Use some offline tools. Pen and paper can be a Godsend for those of us who have a hard time focusing throughout the work day. Put your phone on silent and set aside specific times to check emails.
• Kill multitasking. Do one thing at a time. Simple. Map out your day and stick to it.
• “Chunk it”. If you have trouble moving from one task to another, approach tasks for limited periods of time. Break work into manageable pieces.
• Find a quiet spot. Noisy colleagues rattling your concentration? Consider using a phone headset for a few hours each day. If you’re colleagues think you’re on the phone, they’re less likely to interrupt. However it’s not uncommon for some people to find complete silence even more distracting. Make use of “white noise” to drown out other noise. If you focus better when listening to music, try to make it happen.
• Take short breaks. Our minds struggle to focus on intense tasks for long periods of time.
• Plan some joy … something to look forward to. Have coffee with a friend or take a walk. Not only is it an incentive to finish the job, it will also help you to recognize that it’s not all drudgery.
• Clean yourself up. You perform the way you feel. If you feel polished, groomed and ready, you’ll be more likely to be productive. Let’s be honest … if you’re dressed really casually, odds are you’ll be working really casually.
Make use of these sure-fire ways to reclaim your focus.
Source: www.health.com, www.mindtools.com, www.howtogetfocused.com, 99u.com, liveyourlegend.net, zenhabits.net, dailyburn.com, greatest.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
