Photo courtesy of Ali K. 16 Ways to Keep A Razor- Sharp Focus at Work
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Glen Stansberry of LifeDev (feed).
Focus is something of a novelty these days. We’ve got cellphones for texting and calls, IM, Twitter, Email, RSS feeds, Facebook, Myspace… the list goes on and on. If you don’t have ADD before you start working online, it seems it’s almost inevitable thanks to these inputs. If you’re a web worker who uses the Internet for the majority of the day, you’re especially at risk for losing focus.
Focus is something that must be fought for. It’s not something that automatically switches on when you want to. You have to make sure your surroundings are perfect for working if you want to be focused. Here’s a few ways I’ve found this to work:
- Use offline tools. Paper products, pens, and other physical tools are a Godsend for those of us who have a hard time focusing throughout the work day. They’re so simple that we can use them quickly, without having to worry about becoming distracted.
- Take more breaks. More breaks = More productivity. It may sound wrong, but it’s true. Breaks allow us to re-group our thoughts and focus for the task at hand. They also keep us fresh so that we don’t end up burning out after only a few hours work.
- Smaller tasks to check off. When you’re planning your day, make sure that your “action steps” (aka items in the checklist) are small actions. Instead of “Paint living room”, try breaking it down into many tasks, like “buy paint, buy rollers, pick colors” etc.
- Keep a steady pace. Don’t try to do to much. Keeping the pace manageable allows you to keep your focus. Unfortunately, people can confuse this with “Work till you drop without breaks”. See number 2.
- Keep a daily “purpose” card. It’s pretty easy to get lost staring at the computer all day long. We’ll find rabbit holes to wonder down (ie. Youtube, Myspace, etc.) if we’re not careful. Having your daily purpose card gives you clarity and a reminder as to what you’re doing today.
- Develop the mindset that the computer is only a tool. It’s easy to try and use the computer for too much. At its core, the computer is merely a tool (albeit a freakin’ awesome one) that allows to do work more efficiently. If we’re using it as something more than that, (like as a solution for your life), you’ll ultimately fail. It’s like trying to eat a steak dinner with only a spoon.
- Plan your day to the T. If you’re finding sporadic periods of laziness throughout the day, it could be because you don’t take enough breaks (see #2), and you don’t have the day mapped out as efficiently as you could. Make sure your list of todos has lots of small, actionable steps that can be done quickly. This will gives a really satisfying feeling when you’re crossing things off your list like crazy.
- Notice your lazy routines. Everyone has recurring lazy spots throughout the day. Plan to have your breaks for those times. You’re going to be lazy then anyway, right?
- Plan the night before. Planning the night before is a great way to really get focused on the next day. “Sleeping” on your tasks and goals for the following day can really help your mind expect what’s going to happen the next day. Essentially, you’re preparing your mind for the following day. Advanced focus.
- Turn off extra inputs. These are IM and email for me, but we all have our Achilles heel. Completely turn off any distracting piece of technology that you own. Every one of these inputs tries to steal bits of your focus. And they won’t rest until they do.
- Set time limits for tasks. There’s no motivation like a deadline. Giving yourself real deadlines is a great way to stay motivated and focused on the task. Given the fact that we human are natural procrastinators, it’s no surprise that we’ll take as long as we’re allowed to finish something. Setting real but attainable limits is a great way to keep the project humming, so to speak.
- Keep a journal of what you did throughout the day. I like to use a moleskine notebook for my lists just so I can go back and review it every now and again, to see what I’ve done. Knowing how far you’ve come can keep you sharp and motivated to finish.
- Use programs to track where you spend your time. This is a real eye-opener. Knowing just how much time you spend every day/week/month on a certain site or with a certain program can quickly show you where your priorities lie. I recommend Rescue Time, but there are many others.
- Visualize the day in the morning, before it starts. A little pre-work meditation on the day’s events is a great way to start the day off focused and productive. Don’t worry about a full 30 minute session, a quick review before you start the day is fine.
- Start the day right. Starting the day with a good breakfast, some quiet time and/or exercise is a great way to set your day up for success. Sounds like a cliche, but it really works.
- Clean yourself up. It’s why my track coach in high school made us dress up for big races: you perform the way you feel. And if you feel polished, groomed and ready, you’ll be more likely to be productive. For me this is just taking a shower, brushing my teeth and putting on casual clothing. I used to work all day without taking a shower in my PJ’s, but I never got much stuff done. Let’s be honest here… if you’re dressed really casually, odds are you’ll be working really casually. Just taking the time to clean up a bit before you buckle down for the day is never a bad idea.
For more from Glen, check out his great productivity blog, LifeDev. He’s also the co-owner of the LifeRemix blog network.
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)
- Spewed into the world on 4 May 2008 in Productivity & Organization |
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Brilliant comments (71)
Mark - Creative Journey Cafe Says:
May 4th, 2008, 21:18 pm
Great suggestions.
Lately I set my iPhone timer and make comic strips as fast as I can every day - just a little creative exercise to see what I can do in a short span of time. Keeps me productive and VERY alert.
banji - LessonInLife Says:
May 4th, 2008, 21:22 pm
I particularly like the phrase “Focus is something that must be fought for”. It’s true. Our mind is one of the wildest thing ever, one time it can be at work, another miliseconds it is already planning what to do on a vacation :)
What I did to keep my focus during working is to always keep an eye on the prize. The prize maybe a simple compliment, or the satisfaction of finishing off a LOT of work, and sometimes the look on everyone’s face when I’m done.
Better get back to work :) thanx Glen for the much awaited post
Andrew is getting fit Says:
May 4th, 2008, 21:28 pm
Tips #5 and #6 resonate the most with me.
Having a daily purpose is essential.
Vered - MomGrind Says:
May 4th, 2008, 21:34 pm
These are all great tips.
May I add something?
I think it’s really important to leave the house. Get out, run a few errands, take a walk, go to the coffee shop. Whatever. But spending the entire day inside, with no sunshine and no human contact, is unhealthy.
Corey - Simple Marriage Project Says:
May 4th, 2008, 21:42 pm
It is amazing how much can be done by planning the night before. It helps so much the next day. This even works for relationships. Plan the day and the week ahead of time.
The Daily Minder Says:
May 4th, 2008, 22:16 pm
Becoming mindful of our lazy habits is really important. A lot of people think they are busy and stressed when in fact they really aren’t working as hard as they could be.
If you work flat out for a certain amount of time then you can forget about it when you finish because you have got a lot done.
Great article Glen. As usual.
The Daily Minder
Shilpan | successsoul.com Says:
May 4th, 2008, 22:36 pm
#9. Planning for the next day is the most important one. By spending 30 minutes, I ensure that my time investment for the day to follow is towards fulfilling my lifelong purpose.
Great post.
Shilpan
Ryan McLean Says:
May 4th, 2008, 22:51 pm
If you focus the sunlight to a point using a magnifing glass then it has amazing power.
In the same way if we focus ourselves (like you are suggesting we should) then we can also have a great impact than if we aren’t focused.
Another analogy is when you are riding a motorbike you will always drive towards where you are looking. If you stay focused on your goals then you will move towards them. However, you can also focus on bad things and move in the wrong direction.
In finances focus is so important otherwise you don’t know what to do with your money…that is why I am trying to teach people finances…it is my passion and what I am putting all my focus on (as well as relationships and other important things)….
Great post and I look forward to reading more and more and more.
The Daily Minder Says:
May 4th, 2008, 22:53 pm
Good metaphors Ryan. I love a good metaphor!
The Daily Minder
Laurie Says:
May 4th, 2008, 23:11 pm
I find having an accountability partner also helps. Work together to set limits and goals and then reflect together to see how you did.
Dr. Bardou Says:
May 4th, 2008, 23:19 pm
Item #16 will never be a bad idea. On the contrary, it will be the best idea.
Chris Austria Says:
May 4th, 2008, 23:44 pm
I agree with Shilpan that #9 is the most important thing followed by #11. Planning your day the night before is essentianl. I try to do this as much as possible.
When I was still playing competitive tennis I would visualize my match point by point and it usually helps during the match. Now I employ the same visualization technique with important events in my life.
Since I am not a person who likes to right things down visualizing really helps.
Adam Sicinski - Study Matrix Art Says:
May 4th, 2008, 23:47 pm
I think that during this day and age, maintaining a Razor Sharp focus is getting more difficult. We are bombarded by commercials, our emotions, emails, radio broadcasts, other people’s concerns, and simply by information that we must learn to master in order to be both effective and efficient at work. It gets overwhelming, difficult to manage and breeds inefficiency.
These simple strategies I believe help us to take control of what sometimes appears to be out of our grasp. Learning and understanding simple yet effective time management strategies will also assist us to take charge of our days and move forward in a productive manner.
For those who seek more, this Mind Map on Time Management may provide further insight and direction.
Adam Sicinski
Journeyer Says:
May 4th, 2008, 23:54 pm
This is very timely advice which can even work in my day as a stay at home mum.
Jon Mann Says:
May 5th, 2008, 0:02 am
I am a Project Manager by profession so planning is what I do, and even I fall into many of the time wasting traps. The most destructive item to my day is other people’s requests. Learn to say no! Say it politely like ”I am really booked for the next four hours but can we talk about this at 3:00?” As long as you set that expectation that you will help them most people will be OK with that. Just make sure you keep your meeting at 3:00.
Another tool I use, which is very Steven Covey, but I prioritize my tasks first with an A,B,C then I prioritize the “A’s” as 1,2,3, etc. A’s for me are things that have to be done that day. B’s can wait until tomorrow, and C’s can usually wait a day or two.
One more thing I attempt to do is plan for a week so I do don’t get bogged down doing a low priority item on Monday that can wait until Wednesday.
Great article, as usual.
Jon Mann
pavs Says:
May 5th, 2008, 0:32 am
Great advice. I can truely relate to this. Specially number 16, I work on my pjs, and rarely feel themotivation to groom or clean myself up, but when I do my productivity increases. Some good advices there.
Farfield Says:
May 5th, 2008, 2:30 am
Nice post!
#1 and #9 seem like great solutions to me. Since this year I’m using a Moleskine weekly planner whicht makes things much easier to deal with. Somehow physically writing things down just seems to make them more important.
And #9 is something I don’t really do yet but I know it works. I’m working on implementing that in my daily routine. It gives you a clearer start of the day knowing where you have to begin!
James Says:
May 5th, 2008, 4:23 am
Good advice. I follow most of them when it comes to focus, but realize that focus only comes in fits and spurts. I pace myself as much as possible. Breaking work down to the smallest possible chunk is perhaps the key for me (so important that I’ve made it one of my Organize IT Habits). I also think it’s very important to not multitask. Splitting your attention over more than one task is a surefire way to struggle with focus and use up more energy than necessary (something I’ve written a lot about at Organize IT recently).
Thomas Says:
May 5th, 2008, 6:01 am
#16 (clean yourself up) is so true. If you look pro, you’ll feel pro, and you’ll act like it. My job is a shirt-and-tie affair, so I don’t have a choice about looking sharp. I’m much more productive and satisfied at this job compared with others in the same field, jobs which allowed me to dress casually. There are many reasons I’m more satisfied, but I have no doubt that being forced to “look the part” is one of them.
Also, the idea of a “purpose card” for each day is intriguing. I’m going to have to try that one out, see if that helps me stay on track on my days off.
Anna Says:
May 5th, 2008, 6:14 am
Few more points I would add:
* using music
some people work better with music, some can work in silence only; but there are compositions giving us right mindset before we start our workday
* stop eating at your workplace
especially if we work at home, it is so easy to go and take something from the kitchen and eat it with 0 attention in front of the desktop.. it steals our focus and meal delight. spend 5 minutes eating an apple near the window or go outside, - get short rest and reset your mind
thanks for this post; great before Monday :)
Daniel Says:
May 5th, 2008, 6:44 am
Lots of great ideas here! If I could add one to the list, it would be singletasking (or unitasking). There have been numerous studies that show you get more work and a higher quality of work completed if you focus on one task at a time.
Simon Says:
May 5th, 2008, 7:49 am
Great article Glen. I don’t quite plan my day the night before but instead get up early to do the same. Thirty minutes spent first up deciding on what my MITs for the day are and when/how I will achieve them always pays dividends.
Simon
Ksyu Says:
May 5th, 2008, 8:56 am
This is so true and applicable in my life right now! It is hard to keep focus, be in the zone when you’re surrounded by so many distractions. I have to keep working on #10. Just today I wrote a post about my frustration with writing an article and at the same time watching Youtube. It definitely is a recipe for disaster.
On #5, is it ‘find rabbit holes to wonder down’ or ‘to wander down? Just curious….
Stephanie Says:
May 5th, 2008, 9:07 am
I think it’s ‘wander’ ;)
Thanks to the poster for spelling ‘cellphone’ right though — so many people write it as two words (cell phone) which is incorrect. Nice to see this written properly.
Jeff@My Super-Charged Life Says:
May 5th, 2008, 9:12 am
I really like using a “purpose card”. I try to do this frequently and it helps me to re-center myself on what’s important.
I find visualizing the day as suggested in #14 counterproductive at times. When I do this, it creates an expectation in my mind and then when things don’t go as I planned I get frustrated. Maybe I’m not using it properly or maybe it is just me!
Great post!
The Financial Philosopher Says:
May 5th, 2008, 9:56 am
Proper productivity, at its core, begins with self-awareness. Your list is good but will not work for everyone. Most people will benefit from proper “attention allocation,” which is best achieved by removing external distractions. You touch on this with the computer but it extends to television and, yes, blogs.
Productivity lists are only useful as a starting point from which an individual can create their own…
“In the cultivation of the mind, our emphasis should be not on concentration, but on attention. Concentration is a process of forcing the mind to narrow down to a point, whereas attention is without frontiers.” ~ Krishnamurti
Paul @ Web Design in Ireland Says:
May 5th, 2008, 10:39 am
Bookmarked Glen - sometimes i drink too much coffee at work which results in frequent bathroom breaks. Productive or not? Discuss. ;o)
Maria - Never the Same River Twice Says:
May 5th, 2008, 10:40 am
For me, I’m most productive when I really *want* to get something done.
Hacks are most necessary when I’m trying to push through a task that I don’t enjoy or don’t really want to do. Part of that is a by-product of working for someone else. When I can fix that, I’ll have a lot less need for time hacks.
Melody Madden Says:
May 5th, 2008, 11:10 am
Great tips. Lord knows I need more focus. Fabulous blog. I check in everyday.
website design Says:
May 5th, 2008, 11:32 am
Great advice. I can truely relate to this. Specially number 16, I work on my pjs, and rarely feel themotivation to groom or clean myself up, but when I do my productivity increases. Some good advices there.
kadavy Says:
May 5th, 2008, 11:36 am
To remember to take breaks, I use AntiRSI ( http://snipr.com/277tm ). It’s funny how just when I start to feel a little stressed and frustrated, AntiRSI tells me it’s time for an 8 minute break. It’s amazing how much clarity can be gained by stepping away to take a walk around the block or just sit back and do some “bigger picture” thinking.
Saboravallarta Says:
May 5th, 2008, 13:00 pm
Sorry I dont spek english,but , please visit http://www.saboravallarta.com.mx
News Radio & Television Online from Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico !!!
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Tyler Says:
May 5th, 2008, 13:05 pm
I’m entertained by the fact that I’m reading this entry.
…At work.
…Instead of working.
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:
May 5th, 2008, 13:28 pm
I love the idea of visualizing your day. I’ve started going to bed at night thinking of the one “most important thing” I need to do tomorrow and picturing in vivid detail how it will go. Doing so really does prepare me and things work out pretty well!
Chica Dificil Says:
May 5th, 2008, 14:14 pm
STAY AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE and other unhealthy snacks that keep you Zzzzzzz. Instead load up on hi energy snacks such as nuts and fruits and veggies to keep you gassed up!!!
Simple Mom Says:
May 5th, 2008, 14:34 pm
Numbers 1, 3, and 9 are the clinchers for me. I actually wrote a series last week on this kind of stuff, and how to use a management notebook to help in the sanity department, specifically catering to moms/home managers:
http://simplemom.net/home-management-notebooks-are-a-great-idea/
Marelisa Says:
May 5th, 2008, 15:36 pm
Excellent post. I keep a pen and paper next to me while I work to jot down any ideas that enter my head while I’m working so that I don’t become distracted (if I don’t do this I’ll literally be doing something different every five minutes).
Most people think that the more time you sit at your desk without even looking up from your work, the more efficient you’ll be and the more work that you’ll get done. However, you have to figure out your productivity quotient: the amount of time that you work multiplied by the quality of the work that you’re producing. After more than 50 minutes sitting at a desk without drinking water, stretching, walking around a little bit, and maybe closing your eyes and gathering your thoughts, you start to get diminishing returns.
Janice C. Cartier Says:
May 5th, 2008, 16:13 pm
What???!!! Do you all have a meeting , read minds and post!!!!Perfect for today. :)
Master Yoda Says:
May 5th, 2008, 16:24 pm
Hello,
One method that helps me keep my focus on the task is called “Block-based Time Scheduling”. You divide your day-time into blocks.
Here are the rules:
- One block = One task.
- During a block you can either do the task, or you can choose to do nothing (you can rest for example).
- You may or you may not do the task, but you have to do the block (remember, you cannot do any of the tasks from other blocks).
I always draw these blocks on paper (sth. like this: http://tinyurl.com/49zqup ).
This method works because structured systems tend to loose less energy than chaotic ones.
If you aren’t in the mood of doing a specific task, you can use some releasing techniques and remove any resistance toward that activity.
Using this method you can honestly tell your friends: “Well, I worked exactly 19 hours on this project.”
Hope this helps.
John-o Says:
May 5th, 2008, 16:27 pm
Leo,
Why not more guest posts????????????????????????
Matthew Says:
May 5th, 2008, 19:35 pm
Why didn’t he list prayer and meditation? Reading the Bible? Asking Jesus for help?
Rannie B Says:
May 5th, 2008, 19:46 pm
Very good post Glen, thank you !
I think focusing on the right tasks is also of the utmost importance.
You will feel more productive during your day if you spend an hour working on what gets you closer to your goals than if you spend 3 hours working on something that has little or no impact on them.
I like to keep my day/week or monthly goals in sight near my workspace. I find it allows me to prioritize of the fly any unexpected tasks coming my way more easily, hence, improving my focus.
Setting down your goals and knowing how to prioritize, well, that’s another story entirely. It would also make for great future posts Leo (if you haven’t addressed them already that is).
Cheers.
Muscle Post Says:
May 5th, 2008, 20:09 pm
Taking more breaks is definitely helpful, although counterintuitive. By clearing your mind and getting away from your computer, you can regroup, release some stress, and get some fresh air. This will help you to be more productive at work!
And isn’t this what you (and your boss) want?
Marsello - feedbacksecrets.com Says:
May 5th, 2008, 20:18 pm
Great advice! From experience, I’ve found that advice # 2 works especially well in reducing stress and increasing productivity, yeah I know it’s weird but it’s so true. But I like to start implementing # 8 & 12, since I tend to forgot my routines and keeping track of it is very important.
Rick Matz Says:
May 5th, 2008, 21:32 pm
If you wait for conditions to be outwardly perfect, you’ll never get anything done.
Evelyn Lim Says:
May 5th, 2008, 23:07 pm
I like the idea of taking more breaks to keep my mind razor sharp. I’m not so sure that I can do point #6 though since it is true that I can be quite an addict.
Getting a massage also helps me feel rejuvenated!
Evelyn
Sam R. Hall Says:
May 6th, 2008, 0:17 am
This is a great post. I use a lot of these tips. One thing I’ve not done is visualizing your day, which is a nice idea.
I’ve started doing more planning at night. It seems to work better than in the morning. And I’m conscious of my peak productive hours and my peak wasteful hours, thus working my schedule around them.
Here’s a little love for ZenHabits and this post:
http://samrhall.com/2008/05/05/keeping-razor-sharp-focus/
Samurai Says:
May 6th, 2008, 1:51 am
Simple, as Zen always is. Most people should have heard these tips, but why is it so hard to remember them?
Simplicity is more an more becoming a trend, and I hope more people remember these tips.
http://managerstoolbox.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-search-of-simplicity.html
Mike OD - Fitness Spotlight Says:
May 6th, 2008, 13:35 pm
From a health and fitness point of view I would also say:
- Drink plenty of water
- Take some Fish Oil (Omega 3s and DHA improve brain function)
- Avoid sugar (drinks, snacks) as they will cause a blood sugar crash soon after (bye bye mental focus)
- Get up and move around, do some jumping jacks, go climb some stairs, do some pushups, or just go for a quick walk outside…getting that blood going (and getting away from the computer briefly) does wonders for clarity
MrAchievement.com (Stanley Bronstein) Says:
May 6th, 2008, 14:26 pm
Focusing is the ability to shut out distractions. No matter what tools you use, it is the shutting out of distractions that matters the most.
MrAchievement
Stanley Bronstein
Attorney, CPA, Author, Blogger & Professional Motivational Speaker
Joe Says:
May 6th, 2008, 15:31 pm
I remember a guest post of yours on unclutterer that said your office was completely paperless. I started picking up on this to some extent by keeping all of my lists in text edit docs. This has worked much better for me than an actual pen and paper and I was just wondering if you use a pen and paper for your brainstorming.
David @ DavidNordmark.com Says:
May 6th, 2008, 20:48 pm
Of all the points you make, I think the one that has helped me the most is to plan what I’m going to do the day before (usually before I go to bed). It works for me!
Currently at my blog, I’m reading a book called “The Power of Concentration”. It is about
learning how to focus your mind so that you can achieve the things you want. If this interests you, feel
free to check out my blog at DavidNordmark.com
for my chapter summaries, as well to download this timeless classic for free :)
Liara Covert Says:
May 6th, 2008, 22:33 pm
Going about things systematically can help a person feel organized. At the same time, the ability to adapt to any unforseen situations helps us realize not everything can be planned. To develop versatility, open-mindedness and transferable skills are useful to everyone in any workplace.
Jeremy Johnson Says:
May 7th, 2008, 0:37 am
Planning the day before and setting time limits. Those two were the biggest ones for me that I saw. It’s so easy to just stay up late and forget about tommorow… Until tommorow comes, then it’s a race to figure out today. What a difference 15 minutes of planning the night before makes!
Maya Says:
May 7th, 2008, 1:34 am
Excellent tips,
My favorite is
Use programs to track where you spend your time. This is a real eye-opener. Knowing just how much time you spend every day/week/month on a certain site or with a certain program can quickly show you where your priorities lie. I recommend Rescue Time, but there are many others.
I personally use MeeTimer for firefox and it’s been brilliant for me. Off to check out rescue time!
Thanks!
nerdfactor Says:
May 7th, 2008, 14:40 pm
on the point of unitasking one tactic I use is to write down and/or recite to myself what THE task i am working on is.
i’m so glad someone pointed me to this blog and this community!
MrAchievement.com (Stanley Bronstein) Says:
May 11th, 2008, 20:29 pm
Leo, I am attempting to contact you about interviewing you for my next book on the subject of highly successful individuals and you have so many safeguards in place, it is hard to contact you.
IF you think it is worth your effort to investigate it, please feel free to contact me via the information provided.
While I think you are highly qualified, your safeguards make it so difficult to contact you that it is causing MAJOR problems.
MrAchievement
Stanley Bronstein
Attorney, CPA, Author, Blogger & Professional Motivational Speaker
jimmychen Says:
May 13th, 2008, 1:52 am
if often get distracted. the computer and technology has spawned many ways to do this. just from my IM alone can distract me anytime. this is not coming alone from pm’s from emails that never turn off even if i turn flag it as spam.
the worst time for me is in the aftertoon where there are lots and lots of distractions. i take some energy drink when i get burned up. because when i get burned up writing some articles or blogs, i get distrated easily as compared to just starting out with energy. this is a nice guide, and i hope i would follow this eventually.
GO HERE For Free PDF, MP3 and Video Adsense Training worth $97
andre | wealth seminar reviews Says:
May 13th, 2008, 18:47 pm
What I really liked was the point about scheduling your breaks around the times of your day you noticed were more conducive to laziness. Really encourages you to look more closely at your habits and compare day to day and week to week. One thing I did want to add was that I find when confronted with a lazy point in my day where I’m not motivated to do a whole lot, I find the best thing to do is just focus for 30 seconds and just take action. I learned this at a seminar I went to a while ago called the Millionaire Mind Intensive and it really seems to work for me.
Basically, when you want to achieve a goal (whether you’re motivated to or not), the best thing you can do is to just take action, and in essence, get the ball rolling. I find that starting a task is the hardest part; once I’ve started, everything else is easy.
SystemsThinker Says:
May 14th, 2008, 14:57 pm
I find I get a lot done if I have my list of tasks and do a few at a time and then take frequent short breaks. It also helps me if I watch something funny during my break like an episode of the Daily Show.
The two other most important things to keep focused for me have been keeping the tasks small and sometimes using deadlines by which I promise to allow myself another break if I need.
Both of those latter two are described well in articles by Steve Pavlina:
tatiana Says:
May 22nd, 2008, 8:00 am
these are real nice and working methods! thank you a lot!
ZenHabits has always been an inspiration for me
Ed Liversidge Says:
May 22nd, 2008, 8:09 am
What about binaural beats if you want to shift your mind into a more focussed state? There are many focus CDs and MP3s available, you can get a free focus MP3 here if you register:
Pinyo Says:
May 27th, 2008, 15:17 pm
Very true, especially #1. With the Internet being so accessible, it’s very hard to keep focus.
ander Says:
August 2nd, 2008, 0:36 am
> I used to work all day without taking a shower in my PJ’s…
Er, dude, I know what you mean—but that sounds like you’re yearning to shower in your PJ’s. Perhaps this would be clearer:
> I used to work all day in my PJ’s, without showering.
Cheers, a.
Usman Says:
September 12th, 2008, 3:52 am
A very useful post. I’m sure everyone can aplly atleast something from here into their daily working life.
MySolutionSpot Says:
October 22nd, 2008, 17:08 pm
Creating a daily purpose card is my favorite. I think that by focusing on the key purpose of each day and what you want to accomplish, it helps to remind you when you are at points in your day where distraction creeps in. Great post!
Incoming (40)
- Stay focused at Work — Fat Kenny
- A Guide to Razor Sharp Focus | LifeDev
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