In today's technology filled world, we're finding it harder than ever to focus.
With distractions coming from your chiming iPhone or an app notification or
emails coming in, it's actually pretty impressive that we get any work done.
It's funny because the hard part, sometimes isn't just finding time to focus
it's how do you stay focused and concentrate on a task long
enough to actually get it done.
Before we get started, let's talk about what focus is.
Focus, very simply put is directed attention.
When you focus, you're concentrating your attention or effort.
It sounds easy, so why can it be so hard at times?
Focus is essentially a muscle.
So if you're wondering how to focus better, it's a skill that has to be
constantly worked on, which means, you have to actually work on not looking
at your phone every two minutes.
So you can get that project done.
It won't just magically happen.
Think about focus in terms of running.
You can't just wake up one day and decide to run a marathon.
You have to work towards it and train for it.
How to improve focus.
A step-by-step guide.
Here are some actionable steps to follow.
To help you concentrate and stay focused.
Step one, get a good night's sleep.
According to Dr.
Epstein editor of the Harvard special health report, improving sleep, a
guide to getting a good night's rest, quote, going without sleep for 48 hours
impairs cognitive abilities to the same degree as having a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.1% above the legal limit for driving in every state.
And this shows us the importance and value of a good night's sleep.
To set yourself up for success, make sure you're getting the seven to eight
hours of recommended sleep each night.
It's going to be a lot easier to focus when you're feeling fresh and
not like you're about to fall asleep.
Step two: work at your best time of day.
Whether you're a self-proclaimed morning person or night owl, you'll likely know
what time of day works best for you.
If you know your sharper in the morning, plan to work on your most significant
and most difficult task in the morning.
It would be counterintuitive to wait until 3:00 PM, when you know, you're going
to crash or 8PM when you are too tired.
The same goes for those who work best at night.
Schedule your day and workload around your optimal work times.
There's no need to make it harder than it needs to be.
Step three, take care of small tasks that will add up to big distractions.
This means getting the small tasks that lead to procrastination out of
the way before sitting down to work.
For example, my house is always the cleanest when I have a lot to do.
Why?
Because I will find any reason not to sit down and do the hard stuff.
That means that before I sit down at my computer, I'll do the dishes,
sweep, throw in a load of laundry and every other household chores.
So when I sit down to work, I have zero excuses to get up and distract
myself from the task at hand.
This can also mean making that cup of coffee, grabbing water, printing
out resources you may need before you sit down to focus on a project.
Whatever little things you know, you'll use as an excuse to distract
you, even if they're great forms of procrastination, take care of them
first.
Productive procrastination is still procrastination.
Step four, set up your space for success.
Whatever space works best for you, this is the time to get it set up.
For some, it's a clean desk, clean from clutter.
For others, it's the kitchen table.
Some people even like to get away from the comforts of the office
or home to a place that's slightly more unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
Like a coffee shop or the library.
Removing themselves from the comfort of their desks or couch allows them
to focus fully because when the task is complete, they can go back home.
It's all about creating or setting up in a space where you can thrive.
Ideally, away from distractions.
Step five limit your notifications.
This is easier said than done.
Phones, email, kids, partners, they all serve as distractions, although
lovingly from the task at hand.
When you're trying to focus, it's best to keep these notifications, be it
digital or in-person, to a minimum.
Turn off your phone or silence it, put it in airplane mode,
or even put it in another room.
Set the expectation with your family or coworkers that you're dedicating this
time to concentrate so that you can spend undistracted quality time with them later.
Step six, make a to-do list.
If you're wondering how to focus on yourself and how to focus at work, a
to-do list is a great place to start.
Getting clear on what you need to do, and then prioritizing from most
important to least important helps you get clear on your priorities.
If you have a big work project to complete, but also want to
get a workout in organize your schedule to accommodate both.
Integrating your personal priorities with work responsibilities, ensures
that everything important to you gets checked off your list.
Step seven, set a time limit.
Some find it easier to focus when they know there's an end in sight.
It doesn't have to be a long time limit.
You can start with something small, like 10 or 15 minutes.
Once you get into the task, you'll likely find the energy to keep going.
Working in small intervals is the idea behind the Pomodoro technique.
This time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, uses
a timer to break down work into intervals.
Each interval, called a Pomodoro, is traditionally 25 minutes and intervals
are separated by short breaks.
The purpose of this technique is to reduce interruptions so you can focus.
Step eight coffee helps.
No, really it does.
Any kind of caffeine can serve as a much needed boost.
Numerous studies have shown that caffeine can increase
concentration and mental focus.
So before you sit down to work on that big project, grab a cup
of Joe, Green tea, or cold brew.
How to focus in the workplace.
You might find that it's easier to focus on tasks you enjoy, rather
than the tasks you have to do ie the work that you get paid to do.
You don't always have the luxury of picking and choosing what jobs you can get
done and where, so how are you supposed to focus when you absolutely have to?
We have some tips on how to focus at work as well.
Number one, put your phone away.
It's easiest to focus when you're not being lured by the constant
call of social media and the pinging of emails on your phone.
Put your phone in a drawer or leave it in your purse to
completely avoid being distracted.
This is also a great rule of thumb for meetings,
if you're heading into an important meeting and your phone is not
100% necessary, leave it behind.
Your boss and other meeting attendees will appreciate your undivided attention.
Number two, schedule important tasks on your calendar.
Scheduling time with yourself ensures you're dedicating the time to focus
on that specific project or deadline.
Set it for a time when you are most productive to ensure you
optimize the time available.
This is also a great way to make sure no one books you for a meeting
during your most productive time.
Number three, communicate with your team.
If you're really trying to concentrate, don't be afraid to tell others.
Letting them know you have an important deadline or tasks to complete is
a great way to ensure that they don't unnecessarily distract you.
And it also holds you accountable.
You said you were taking the time to get it done, and now
you have no reason not to do it.
Number four, take.
Get up and go for a short walk, refill your water, or catch up with a coworker.
Do something that requires you to move and not look at your phone for a few minutes.
Working for an extended period without taking a break can
lead to stress and exhaustion.
You'll find you're more productive and creative, when you take a
few moments to step back from what you've been focused on.
Number five plan and prioritize.
This is a good idea whether you're looking to focus or just trying to
figure out how to structure your day.
Taking a few moments at the start of the day or the night before to outline
your tasks and priorities ahead of time will help you stay on track.
Without a plan,
you may feel like you're grasping in the dark to figure out what to do next and
find that you're having trouble focusing.
A few good minutes of planning can save you a lot of time and
frustration on the backend.
Now let's talk about how to show focus skills on your resume and cover letter.
You've mastered the art of focusing, but how do you convey the skill
on your resume and cover letter?
The best ways to get specific.
Focus has different definitions in different industries, so speak to
specific examples of how you focus.
This is especially true in your cover letter.
You can really dive into a story in detail in your cover letter more
so than you can on your resume.
If the job you're applying for mentioned specifics in the job description
relating to attention to detail and concentration, elaborate on how your
experience directly relates to those skills and give a detailed description.
On your resume,
the same rule applies.
You just need to get more precise.
Provide bullet points on your experience relating to focus using your specific
examples and language, such as demonstrate strong attention to detail, exercises
extreme care, detailed oversight or analysis, individualized attention,
provided personalized attention.
Another huge way to show focus, make sure there are no typos on your
resume and make it clear and concise.
It's going to be hard for someone to believe that you can demonstrate
extreme attention to detail when they find an error on your resume.