Most people at times have trouble concentrating and staying focused on the task in front of them. I am one of those people so I went looking for ideas to help me stay focused. Here are some simple tips I found to help maintain focus and get done what needs to be done.
Turn notifications off – Dings and bings can be distracting. I’ve never really been a slave to my phone but those notifications can be distracting when I’m really in the groove. I turn off all but essential alerts and notifications
Use headphones or earplugs – Cut down on annoying background noise with soft music or silence. Luckily I live in a very quiet household so don’t need this but I put it on the list for others who may be working in a busy atmosphere. It’s still a good idea.
Keep a healthy snack nearby – It keeps your mind working at an optimal level. I’ve taken to snacking on nuts lately. Just a few are surprisingly satisfying. Plus it keeps me from munching on candy or chips that could leave me feeling sluggish or give me a sugar crash.
Invest in an office chair – Comfort and good back support reduce fatigue. With my bad back and pain levels I do alot of my work laying down. However, that may be frowned upon in an office atmosphere. A good quality chair can make a world of difference though.
Hang an inspiring sign – Having visual cues boosts your motivation. I love having motivational sayings around me. I’ve done it since I was a teen and found them very motivational as a young single mother. Use whatever words inspire you. In front of me now is a plaque on the wall that says “The best things in life aren’t things”, I love it!
Keep stickies or notepad handy – Jotting things down clears the mind. Razz has been preaching this one to me for years. I do write things down, I just forget where I put them or have too many notebooks on the go and can’t remember which one has what I need. I’m starting this year with one bullet journal for everything. (Wish me luck! It’s not the first time I’ve tried this)
Set a time frame – Make it a challenge to see how much you can get done. I used to do this one often with housework and it helped alot. I used 20 minutes but you could try an hour or even just 10 minutes. I wouldn’t recommend more than an hour. That could be too long to hold your concentration without a break.
Switch from fluorescent to led lights – Flickering lights can cause headaches. Everyone must remember those awful fluorescent tubes from school. So many kids complained of headaches, myself included, and that constant hum was super annoying and distracting too. LED lights are cheaper to run as well.
Tell yourself ‘Awesome!’ – A verbal reward when a task is complete gives you a boost. I think many of us do this without thinking about it but it’s time to start doing it on purpose. You must have finished an especially difficult task at some time in your life and shouted ‘Hooray!’ or ‘Tada!’. People may look at you funny but it’s an easy one to explain.
Don’t take your pet to work – They want your attention and can be a distraction for yourself and others. Unless you work in a cat cafe (I really want to go to one) pets don’t belong at work. Maybe at home if your cat curls up on your lap it may give you some comfort that will help you focus but as a rule, I would keep my pet at home and be able to give them all the attention they want when I’m there.
Did you find this quick list of ideas handy? Share it. You never know who you may be helping.
Also if you’re looking for more on the subject, may I suggest this post: How to Get in the Zone with Super Focus
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