The best simple tips to get focused and on the task
We have all experienced days where we cannot focus on the task at hand and waste time to finish. Even doing simple things could be difficult, and we often think it could be postponed to the day (and then the next). This behavior is called procrastination.
It happens to tasks that we find boring, unpleasant, stressful, or difficult. The result is that you are not progressing and doing things when you can and should. Most of the time, you will become more stressed because of the last minute and deadlines missed.
Here is a list of tips to improve our focus:
Vision and goals
Have a long-term vision: define and plan a maximum of three key objectives for the year.
Split your long-term vision on smaller targets to reach the final one.
Set objectives for each month and/or quarter.
Then split those targets into even smaller tasks that could be achieved within a limited time (a few hours). Chunking is the best way to do or learn things. You will get huge success by dedicating clear time and slots to your activity.
Plan your week and days
Based on the above, organize your week through precise and committed planning.
Prepare and plan before starting your week (for example, on a Friday evening or Sunday evening).
The planning should organize your time in slots of 1 hour to process one task. It does not mean you will be 100% focused during this one hour. A task could be completed in one or many slots.
Review every night your plan for the next day.
Follow your plan, and when you work on a task during one slot, focus on the process to do it and not the result.
Review everything and assess against your weekly goals at the end of the week.
Note what worked and what didn’t. Think about what you can improve and how. Adjust the way you will work based on your assessment.
Then plan the following week.
Technics to be focused
To be focused during the task, use the Pomodoro technique, which is the best way I have seen to remain focused on a task.
Use a timer and set it to 25mn, work on your task, rest your brain for at least 5mn.
After 2 to 4 rounds, take a more extended break of 15-30mn.
The rest/break could be a physical activity (jumping jacks, squats, a short walk), reading something else, listening to music or a podcast, enjoying a sip of a drink (coffee, tea, fresh juices), practicing mindfulness (breathing exercise), a brief nap etc.
Relax your eyes, stare at a far object for a few seconds
Don’t do multitasking. Science determined that most people cannot do it even though they have the feeling they are efficient.
Remove all notifications for your phone and computer when you focus (tell the people around you not to disturb you, remove/block all notifications from your phone and computer).
Have a space clean, quiet, and welcoming.
Start by the most challenging tasks first, then switch to the easier task before returning to the initial one. It is proven to help your brain develop and find solutions to the most significant task.
Try to have some music in the background.
Celebrate
Review what worked, celebrate small victories (what you were able to do towards your goals)
Every month, semester, and end of the year, do the review of the period, note the progress you made towards your goal, and celebrate.
Those celebrations will create a positive context that will motivate you to progress towards your goals. It will boost your motivation.
Create habits
It is not easy to do. It is a question of habit and routine. And, of course, to keep the focus. Many studies mention that being disturbed after 5 minutes of doing a task will take us five more minutes to get back in the right direction. We are wasting too much effort and time. Multitasking is not a reality for most people.
Final tips
- Have a good sleep habit.
- Have a morning and night routine.
- Exercise every day.
- Check emails only at a planned time. Some will check once or twice per day, for example.
We enforce a positive attitude and behavior by having clear goals, checking on their progress based on small milestones, and celebrating their progress.
Would you please tell me if those tips are helping you and any other tips you have to share?
Recommended Books:
Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
Items to help to focus: