Concentrate…part 4
This week we will consider your mindset and how it affects your productivity and ability to concentrate on what you have to do. Most of us have so much on our minds it is easy to be distracted from what we should be doing. Try some of these techniques:
- Set aside time to deal with worries – if you are constantly worrying about other things, you won’t be able to focus on the task in hand. Maybe you have an approaching deadline for a project you haven’t started, a new colleague causing problems, or just too much work on your plate. If you find yourself distracted by worries, note them down (for example, in Evernote) so that you can let them go, then schedule time to deal with them properly.
- Focus on finishing one task at a time – 15 to 30 seconds can be all it takes to answer an email, send a text or take a quick phone call, but it disrupts your focus. Some researchers say it can take up to 15 minutes to regain complete focus after even the smallest disruption.
- Limit distractions – close your email and any chat programs, put your mobile phone on flight mo
de and let your voice mail do its job. If your office allows it, close your door or put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign to let colleagues know you need to focus. If you’re a manager and you want to operate an open door policy, then consider working from home or in another room. If you work from home, set boundaries with family and friends to set aside particular time slots for undisturbed work. - Switch between high- and low-attention tasks – this can give your brain a rest after heavy concentration. For instance, if you spend two hours working on your budget, you’ll probably feel tired afterward. Recharge your energy by working on a low-attention task, like filing, for 15 minutes before going back to your budget.
