Even though it might feel like the opposite, the truth is that feeling busy doesn’t always mean you’re focused – in fact, most of us have days where everything feels urgent because you’ve got loads of messages coming in and your to do list just keeps growing, so even if you are ticking things off, it’s still growing. The result of all that is that you’re always doing things, but you’re not always doing things well. It’s a skill to stay focused when you’re busy, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Decide What Matters Today
When everything feels important, nothing really is, and that can be a huge problem. So it’s a good idea to start by choosing the two or three things that really do matter the most that particular day (and those things are sure to change day by day, of course). And if you get those things done, you can say the day was a success.
It often helps to write these priorities down because that’s going to give you a clear target and it stops you from jumping between tasks just because you get a bit bored or something else looks like it might be easier.
Limit Distractions on Purpose
Although social media is a big one, it’s not the only distraction – there are plenty more that probably affect you more than you realise. They could be emails, messages, and even other people because they can all break your concentration. So you’re going to need to set some boundaries to make things better (the other option is to cut everything out, but that’s not always easy, and the truth is, it’s not always good for you).
One place to start is to try turning your notifications off for an hour or so, and then you could close all the extra tabs you’ve got open, or letting people know you’ll get back to them later, rather than feeling like you’ve instantly got to reply. In the end, if you can protect short blocks of focused time, that can very often make a bigger difference than ending up working longer hours that you’re not really focused on.
Reduce Mental Clutter Outside of Work
Sometimes it’s not work that’s distracting you – it’s basically everything else. It could be finances, errands, various bits of personal admin, and so on, and that can all sit in the back of your mind which means it’s going to be harder to concentrate.
Look at your life and see if there’s anything you can simplify or even automate because that can help. For example, benefits like a private salary sacrifice car can reduce the hassle or running a vehicle, which frees up space in your mind for other things.
Create a Simple Work Environment
It might come as a surprise to realise it, but the truth is that a cluttered workspace can make your mind feel cluttered and full as well, so if things have got a bit out of hand, it’s time to tidy up.
We don’t mean you’ve got to have a totally empty desk or not have any personal things around you, but keeping things tidier and perhaps having less around you can make a difference. And small changes like better lighting, a comfortable chair, or a clear desktop can make your focus better.
