BLOG_2019_07_04_TIME TO FOCUS

TIME TO FOCUS

04 JULY 2019

Have you ever realized you needed something from another room in your home, but when you walked into the room, you stood there with your hands on your hips, and for the life of you, couldn’t remember why you were there?!  
(Don’t worry; I recently saw an article citing this could be a sign of intelligence!)

There are many times throughout the day when focus can elude us.  Sometimes it means we don’t get a project done, we can’t recall the errands we were supposed to run during our lunch break, or we forgot we needed scissors in the storage closet.

When you find your focus drifting, keep in mind these simple tips to help you feel sharper, more productive and more efficient:

One thing at a time!  

  • You miss important things when you try to over-multi-task. 
  • We also lose 20 minutes of productivity every time we switch back and forth.

Use reminders.  

  • Keep notes in your phone, diary or hanging on your computer screen.  
  • Create a system to help you keep important appointments and other commitments.

Make lists. 

  • If planning your niece’s birthday party is a priority, make a check-list of critical tasks with timelines to help keep you on task.

Eliminate distractions.  

  • If your desk is messy and you get sidetracked away from important tasks, take time to clean and organize. 
  • But most importantly, put away your phone, and shut down the Internet so time sucking emails and social media do not distract you.  
  • Take control of your time!

Prioritize. 

  • When everything feels urgent, take time to prioritize what matters most and needs to be done first.  
  • Refer to the above article “How to be More Productive Today” to see how to do this. 

Meditation.

  • Establishing a meditation practice can greatly help develop focus skills. 
  • I recommend starting with 5 minutes in the morning and gradually increase the time to a minimum of 15 – 20 minutes daily. 
  • Meditation at night can also be useful to distress from the day and get better sleep.

Take breaks. 

  • Your mind can’t keep sharp for long periods of time.  Your body and mind needs breaks to rest. 
  • So go out for a short 5 – 10 minute walk after working on a project for a highly focused 60 minutes. 
  • Then you’re good to go for another 60 minutes.

Follow these tips to help sharpen your focus and remember any good habit requires practice.  So don’t give up. 

Need help in figuring out how you can implement these tips and to learn other way to be more productive? 
Book a free 60-minute coaching session at https://reneeblasky.coachesconsole.com/calendar.

 

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