Driven to distraction

With so many new technologies, there is always something to distract us from what we should be doing.  Many of us can’t resist checking the ping of an email or WhatsApp message, even when we’re in the middle of doing something else.

For me, distractions can come from anywhere – a brand, a country, a LinkedIn message.  I know I’m not alone with that and we all have our own interferences.

Maintaining focus

The big question is ‘what can we do to keep our focus, particularly when we’re working on something important?’.

From a work perspective, you could try allocating specific time in your calendar to go through your emails rather than being distracted every time there is a notification (remembering to switch off the notifications, of course).  This means that the task you’re doing is getting your full attention, and, at the right time, so will your email admin.

One thing that might also be worth trying is to let your mind wander.  This may seem counterproductive, but sometimes you need to lose focus to regain it.  Most of us get our best ideas not when we’re at our desks or in meetings, but when we’re in the shower or going for a walk.  Problem solving seems to naturally be more effective when we’re not directly thinking about the issue that needs rectifying.

I find that when I’m out walking my dog, Enzo, my mind drifts and covers a multitude of different things that need a resolution without me making a conscious decision to do so.

There’s no such thing as multitasking

We all think we can multitask, but the truth is that our brains can only focus on one thing at a time.  So rather than multitasking when you’re scrolling on your phone while watching TV, you’re actually just switching very quickly between different tasks.

The same can be said at work if you’re one of those people that starts multiple tasks at the same time.  You think that you’re being productive, getting things done quicker, but actually you are running the risk of losing concentration, which makes you slower in the long run.

With this in mind, it’s worth embracing the art of ‘single-tasking’ which will not only help your productivity, but also your mental health.

Focusing on what’s important

It's so important that we prioritise what is important.  We should always remember to be present with people as well as tasks.  If you’re talking to someone or in a meeting, you might miss something important if you are distracted by something else, not to mention making the person you are talking with feel that you don’t respect their opinion or ideas.

In a world with so much going on, it’s important that we all remember to focus on our end goal – delighting our clients and colleagues that we work with across our organisation.

I’ve listed a few other ideas that I’ve come across that can help with focus below, but do feel free to let me know what you do to stay focused on a task at hand, I’d love to hear other ideas.

Hope you have a restful weekend

Other ideas for maintaining focus

• A digital detox – it’s unfeasible to completely unplug, but setting boundaries with your devices can significantly reduce distractions

• Mindfulness – incorporating mindfulness practices in your daily routine can enhance your ability to focus

• The Pomodoro Technique – a time management method that encourages working in focused bursts followed by short breaks – a bit like HIIT exercise

• Setting clear goals – start the day with a clear and specific goal in mind and then you know what you’re aiming for

• Optimising your environment – making sure your physical environment is free from clutter and is organised will help you maintain focus

• Reflect on your day – at the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on what worked and what didn’t, so you can tweak what works best for you

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