How to Maintain Focus
When companies opt to offer a follow-up session after my main program, they share my survey on which topic the employees would like covered at this additional session. The time management topic of Maintain Focus consistently ranks in the top three requests – no matter which industry or how big or small the company is.
The more you can maintain focus throughout the day, the more productive you will be. To help you maintain focus, here are some steps you can take:
Create a plan for the day.
The more realistic the plan is, the better your focus will be throughout the day. Plus, when something or someone unexpectedly knocks you off track, your plan can help you refocus more quickly.
Determine your time leaks.
What self-imposed distractions cause you to lose time? Perfectionism? Random thoughts? Procrastination? FOMO? Identify the biggest time leak (the most time lost) to battle first.
Identify your triggers.
What are you doing when you slip into this loss of focus mode? Is it a certain type of situation, time of day, email, person, etc.? Become familiar with these signals.
Disengage from autopilot.
You’ll be tired at the end of the day from being fully present in every moment, but this intentionality will allow you to…
Catch yourself in the act.
Once you identify your triggers (and if you’re fully present), you’ll recognize when you’re stepping into the rabbit hole of your time leak. Upon this realization that you’re about to lose time to a distraction, you’ll be able to…
Redirect ASAP.
To help you be successful with this redirection, develop a mantra to repeat or question to ask yourself to help you step away from the edge of the rabbit hole and get back to working productively. Two examples of questions to ask are:
“How did doing this work out for me last time?”
“How will continuing with this distraction benefit me?”
When you have a clear objective and plan for the day, this will help your brain maintain focus.
For more productivity strategies and tips for maintaining focus, peek at The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer.
