Sometimes, the hardest part of getting things done is staying focused on the task at hand. Our minds may have a tendency to wander, or get distracted by any number of things. Concentration is something that we have to practice. Here are 10 things you can do to help yourself stay focused and be more productive:
Even one distraction can knock you off track, so try to rid yourself of as many attention grabbers as possible. Just make it about you and your project.
Desk: If you’re sitting at your desk, clear it off — even if you just put everything in a pile on the floor to deal with later.
Internet: Refrain from connecting to the Internet or opening computer programs that aren’t necessary for your project. E-mail, instant messenger, and online news feeds should remain off until you’re done.
Entertainment: Avoid TV or radio unless it’s important to the work you’re doing, or unless you work better with music playing.
Phone: Stay off it if you can. If someone calls, let it go to voice mail and call them back when you’re done. Imagine that you’re in a meeting and you can't be interrupted.
Take 5-10 minutes to visualize your project, what you need to get it done, and how much time you should be reserving to complete it.
Put together an outline for your project, whether it’s to clean the house, take care of finances, complete a day of errands, whatever.
Game Plan: Write out the steps you’ll need to take to get the task done, along with the approximate time you’ll be working on each step.
Breaks & Rewards: Build breaks into your game plan. Write in the times and use a timer to stay on track. Plan on giving yourself a reward at the end of the day for all the hard work.
Make It Happen: Now that you have your plan, work it. Keep moving forward. When you find yourself getting distracted, go back and reference the plan. It’s good to be strict with yourself. The less you’re distracted, the more you’ll get done.
If your computer desktop is full of icons and files, take all of them and put them in a folder called ORGANIZE. This will give you a clean space to work from. You can then deal with the ORGANIZE folder as a separate project later. Next, close all unnecessary programs, and turn off any notifications, widgets or other distractions. The only program you should have open is the one you need for the task at hand.
Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible. It's fine to ask not to be disturbed and to say no to other requests when you’re trying to get something done. Close your door, turn off the ringer on your phone — whatever might draw your attention away from the task at hand. Set up guidelines for dealing with interruptions — who you’re willing to interrupt work for and who will have to wait. Don't be afraid to ask how long an interruption will take. And then decide whether you have time to handle it now or later. Ask if you need to handle the problem right at that moment, or if you can schedule time to take care of it later. And here’s a helpful hint: When interrupted, leave a “memory jogger” of where you left off with your work. That way it’ll be easy to get back into the groove. For example, if you’re in the middle of reading something, mark the page with a Post-it™ and draw an arrow to the line you were on.
Instant communication is great, but when you’re trying to get something done, it can make for constant interruptions. Schedule a time to do all your e-mails, phone calls and instant messaging. It’ll seem hard at first, but it won’t take long to get used to it, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you get done.
Yup. Just like at a hotel. Except you can hang this one outside your office, den, or wherever you go to focus and get work done. Let family members and coworkers know that whenever you have the sign up, you really need to focus and can’t be disturbed. Then be sure to take the sign down and be available when you’re not concentrating on a task.
Fragmented attention and fragmented movement go hand in hand. By staying put, you give your mind a chance to focus on a thought, rather than your physical environment. The key is to find a comfortable position and remain in it. After a while, you’ll notice that you fidget less and are more “in the zone” with what you’re focusing on.
If you’re in a noisy environment, consider picking up a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Music is a great way to block out distractions. If you’re using an ipod or an mp3 player on your computer, create a playlist of songs that help you concentrate. That way you can just plug in, hit shuffle, and you’re off.
At the end of the day, look back and recognize all of your accomplishments. Plan for tomorrow and then relax for the rest of the day. Enjoy the reward you promised yourself, even if it’s just some time alone before dinner.
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