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| Flickr CC via Adam Foster |
Some days it’s easy to stay focused at work and get everything done – while other days every little noise or email can be distracting. On the days where you just can’t seem to focus, it’s important to acknowledge the situation and do something about it. It’s better to take a 5-minute break to regroup than to continue working with several other things running through your brain.
Here are 5 steps to help you regain focus at work:
Don’t Force It
When you start to lose focus, don’t force yourself to continue working unless there is a tight deadline. Take ten minutes to go for a walk, eat a snack in the break room, or go sit outside. If there really is no time to step away, take a short breather to read an article or scroll through Facebook, or even just stand up and stretch your legs. It doesn’t have to be a long break, but taking a second away from the computer or current task can work wonders.
Here are 5 steps to help you regain focus at work:
Don’t Force It
When you start to lose focus, don’t force yourself to continue working unless there is a tight deadline. Take ten minutes to go for a walk, eat a snack in the break room, or go sit outside. If there really is no time to step away, take a short breather to read an article or scroll through Facebook, or even just stand up and stretch your legs. It doesn’t have to be a long break, but taking a second away from the computer or current task can work wonders.
For more information about Ken Lear, check out his personal website at http://ken-lear.com/.
Find Your Distraction
In order to stop being distracted, you need to figure out why you are distracted in the first place. Are you thirty, hungry, tired, cold? Is something at home on your mind all day? Once the distraction is nailed down, it will be easier to figure out how to get past it.
Make a List
What is the most important thing to do today? So many employees just go from task to task, which can end up being very distracting and inefficient. Make a list of all the tasks that need to get done in order of importance, and do it in that order – don’t switch between tasks. It’s easier to stay less distracted if there aren’t a million little projects on your mind all at once.
Get Rid of Clutter
Is your office dirty or your desk covered with papers? It's time to clean. A messy workplace is distracting and (sometimes) gross.
Decorate
If your workplace is generic and plain, then it might be time to decorate or rearrange. Hang up a picture of friends or family or move stuff around – a “new” place can make your desk a bit more exciting and inviting to work in.
