We all slack. We all have off days, slow hours, “extended” lunchtimes, and boring weeks. But not being productive can pile up into approaching deadlines, and minimal motivation. And that’s when the stress kicks in. Here’s how to stay focused at work.
Trouble staying focused at work? Here’s how
But the problem is, staying productive is hard. It requires this thing called self-control, and that fails us far too often. Whether it’s reaching for one too many biscuits, or skipping out on the gym now and then, taking control is never easy. Yet this self-control and learning how to be productive is more important than at first glance: The University of California worked out that when we lack self-control, we are more likely to face stress and depression. And they add no ease to the situation.
Plus, when we turn to Twitter instead of answering emails, we can be creating a domino effect which could be rippling across your office. Maybe that report isn’t reaching the person it needs to as soon as they would like, or those emails just aren’t being answered when they need to be.
And while your wavering work ethic might be a greater sign of the care you need to take for yourself, the effects could go much further than the edge of your desk. Does this sound familiar? If so, here are four pro tips on how to stay focused at work.
1. Make time for yourself
When your focus falters, you spend too much time doing things that you shouldn’t be getting paid for. If you’re swapping out prep for your presentation for Pinterest, this could be a sign that you’re burning out. And if you’re burning out, you need some me-time.
There’s plenty of resources that can tell you how to get your self-care on, and thus how to be productive, but the foolproof method to chill out and get ready to refocus is meditation. Beyond getting away for a bit, which you really need if you’re stagnating at the keyboard, meditation trains your brain to sharpen its self-control.
Techniques like mindfulness help us become more aware of our surroundings, and make sure we can avoid the impulses that keep us checking our phones every 10 minutes.
Plus, meditation only needs a couple of minutes to be effective and prepare you for the challenges ahead. Guided meditation apps, and quick guides are only ever a few taps away, giving you easy access to learn this valuable skill. And, shameless plug time, the Hormona app has breathwork exercises that’ll help relax and focus your mind.
Aside from deep breathing, other methods of self-care are just as effective. Simply taking the time out to look after yourself can boost your self-esteem, and get you feeling those positive vibes. The resulting motivation will give you the push you need to be productive again.
2. Get moving
The next step to learning how to get focused certainly won’t fall short of looking after yourself. Exercise is a great form of self-care – both mentally, and physically – and the endorphins are just what you need to perk up and feel more focused during the day. But even if you can’t workout three times a week, make sure you shake a leg every 60 minutes. Well, a little more than shaking a leg.
Try a five-minute walk to stretch out and get away from it all. Literally, walk away from your work, and when your brain has had a pause, you can return to your desk, ready to move forward.
3. Plan your day to suit you
We’re all different. We’re all unique characters with unique jobs and unique lives. But despite this, we all love to turn from productivity to procrastination. Thus, if you want to keep productive for the whole day, you’re going to have to schedule your day to suit you.
If you’re a night owl or catch the worms with the other early birds, match your schedule to you. If you know that Facebook is stopping you from facing your piling up to-do list, block your access to it. Is your phone flashing every few minutes? Turn it off, or leave it face down. Knowing your greatest weakness is your greatest strength.
4. Remove distractions
We love a good distraction. Checking our phones, praying someone might send a text, or checking out that online sale when we should be prepping for a meeting. And it’s this which keeps us from achieving our productive potential.
To take back control, click your phone onto ‘do not disturb’, shut your door, and focus on that to-do list. You’ve turned up to work, and that’s what you’re going to do.
Try limiting yourself to the number of times you check your emails – refreshing them every few minutes is just as bad as looking at your phone. Better yet, declutter that desktop. Minimalism is in, and less eclectic styles should channel some clear thinking. Clear your desk, and get organized.
How to stay focused at work: TLDR
Self-care is the cornerstone of staying focused at work, and anywhere else. So make sure you’re taking time out, and exercising regularly. Get organized, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and make a schedule that suits you.
And if you work from home, keep your office as your office. Ensure it’s as separate from the rest of the house as possible, and get down to business. The bottom line is, there’s your career, and then there’s you. There’s a difference, and it shouldn’t be keeping you distracted.
Your greatest enemy will always be yourself, so work out your weaknesses, and learn how to be productive for you. You deserve it.
