How well do you focus at work? Remaining on task, especially during a long workday, isn’t always easy. If you have trouble being fully present throughout the day, you may benefit from a few techniques on mindfulness and productivity.
Are You Staying Focused at Work?
Practice Mindfulness
What is mindfulness?
“Mindfulness is, above all, about being aware and awake rather than operating unconsciously,” says Mindful.com. “Mindful work means to be consciously present in what you’re doing, while you’re doing it, as well as managing your mental and emotional state.”
How do you do that?
First, understand that the human mind has great potential to focus, but also needs to reset after a period of intense concentration.
Do One Thing at a Time
To be more mindful at work, experts recommend doing one thing at a time.
“Multitasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” says Headspace. “In fact, a study from Ohio State University found that when students multitasked, they felt more productive — but in reality, they were actually less productive.”
Single-tasking allows us to be more attentive and goal-oriented, notes Indeed. “Concentrating on one task at a time until it is totally complete can help you increase your productivity because when you focus on one project at a time, you are setting a single objective at once instead of many.”
Try Time Management Techniques
You might devote just a few minutes at the beginning of the day to getting little tasks out of the way. The trick is not to let many small tasks draw you away from larger, more important projects. Time management techniques can help keep you on track. Some people find scheduling out their day helpful, dedicating specific amounts of time to each task.
Another tip is to prioritize your work, managing the most immediate or largest projects first. That way, the important stuff is done, making it easier to accommodate later interruptions or emergencies.
And don’t forget to take a break now and then. Short breaks can help clear your head and mentally prepare you for the next project.
Avoid Distractions
Whether working in the office or remotely, many things can distract us from our work. Emails, talkative co-workers, interruptions from the kids – even social media – can break our concentration. Find ways to limit these interruptions.
For instance, you may want to change the way you manage email.
“If your job allows it, disable your push notifications and only check your email when you actually have uninterrupted time to concentrate fully on it,” recommends Headspace. “When you do open your inbox, try to focus only on what’s important and be aware of what is merely noise.”
Closing your office door or putting on noise-canceling headphones also can help signal to others that you require some privacy to concentrate.
And when work is over, don’t bring it home with you, says Huff Post. “Much of the stress people feel towards their jobs comes from mentally being at work 24/7. Learn to leave the office at the office.”
Creating an environment and mindset that will enable you to better focus at work may take some planning and practice. However, successful strategies will reward you with increased productivity and a more centered mind.
These Tips Will Help You Stay Focused
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