How to Stay Focused and Be More Effective

TOP TEN TIPS TO LASER FOCUS YOUR DAY
AND GET MORE STUFF DONE

Did you see that Amanda got engaged?

And that picture of Samantha is just too cute!

Just ran out for a coffee break.

I have to go to the gym or else I am going to scream!

Or how about, I just have to quickly answer this phone call or email?

Sound familiar?

Are you easily distracted by social media, kids, gym, texts, emails, and everything else making it hard for you to stay focused?   Does it seem that most days just fly by leaving you wondering “Where did all the time go?”

The ability to stay focused and avoid distraction is a valuable skill that’s often overshadowed by the misconception that multitasking is a more efficient way to get things done.  But in reality, the ability to concentrate and focus on a single task without interruption is what’s truly necessary for consistent achievement and success according to Sherrin Ross Ingram, Strategic Planning Expert.

What might appear as important tasks filling your day are generally unnecessary distractions zapping your time and energy and pulling you away from the important things that’ll get you closer to your goals and dreams.

Learning how to focus or elevate your focus skills is essential to your success.   Below are some of my favorite tips to get your head out of the clouds and back on point:

1. Sleep! Sleep!  Sleep!

Walking around tired and cranky compromises your ability to think clearly.  When we get enough sleep, we are able to reactivate and reorganize material that we have recently learned and improve our memory, according to Harvey B. Simon, M.D., editor of Harvard Health.

2. Eat a healthy diet.

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  These types of foods are rich in vitamins and nutrients that will help boost your brain functioning.

3. Get Organized.

Keeping an organized workspace will help you maintain focus and concentration.   If you have a cluttered space, it makes it harder to find things and easier for you to get distracted.

4. Make a to-do list. 

Get in the habit of creating a to-do list the night before or the morning of to help make your day more productive.  Prioritize your tasks by putting the most important and pressing ones first.  Cross off each task as you complete them.  It will give you a sense of accomplishment and help motivate you to keep working.  If you wait until the last minute to finish your most pressing to-do’s, you’ll  end up rushing to finish them making it hard for you to think more effectively.

5. Limit distractions. 

Stay away from the things that are not relevant to the task at hand.  If you must use the computer, just use it for what you need at that very moment to accomplish the task at hand.  Turn off any email or text notifications.  Try using headphones to drown out any outside noise.  And lastly, if you work in a busy workspace, try setting boundaries with those around you.  Such as letting them know that you are unavailable or wish to be undisturbed from this time to this time.

6. Manage your time. 

Make a list of the tasks that you need to accomplish and mark the allotted time for each task next to it.  Use an app or set a timer on your phone to help keep you on track.

7. Take a break. 

Give yourself a 10-15 minute break to relax and transition your mind in-between tasks, or to help break up a really long task.  Taking breaks will help you refocus your attention once you return.

8. Train your brain like a muscle. 

Multitasking can become a habit and condition your mind to become easily distracted.  Practice focusing and concentrating on a single task for 5, 10, 15 minutes at a time and work your way up.  This will help you retrain your brain to become more attuned to the task at hand.

9. Make it public. 

If you want to increase your productivity, start by making some of your goals public.  Post your intentions on social media sites, or tell friends and family.  When you announce to the world what you intend to do, you are much more likely to follow through.

10. Share your excitement. 

Schedule lunches or coffee meetings with like-minded people who share your same interests and passions.  When you get back from these discussions you will feel more energized and excited to get back to work!

Hope this Helps…

Yours for More Confidence, More Often

Kristyn Haster