How Not to Lose Focus and Concentration During Working Long Hours is a guest post by Kurt Walker
Focus and concentration are very important factors that effective professionals always prioritize when working. It is necessary for getting the work done. However, with the increasing development in technology coupled with other factors taking place around the world, it has become so easy to lose concentration while working on a task, simply because we are now surrounded by various pleasant distractions. This piece outlines some essential tips that you can use to maintain focus while working long hours.
1. Switch off the world
As we have pointed out earlier, trying to maintain focus and concentration while working long hours proves harder with the continuing advent of technology. This can, however, be managed by simply “switching off the world.” You just turn off those social media platforms and high-wired gadgets that you discover could be a distraction unduly.
With your devices with you, there are basic apps or forums on your social media accounts that attract you to notice some things. And you know these things may not be what you should avert your mind to at the present moment. Therefore, by appropriately “switching off your world” you could easily put away everything that can be of distraction to you.
2. How focused are your goals?
The manner in which you focus your goals goes a long way in determining whether you are going to stay focused or not. This point now becomes more important to stress when you insist on working longer hours. If your goals are not real, you would hardly be passionate to attain them. So, you can get distracted very easily. The choice is all for you to make.
If you are frank about your goals nothing would ever inhibit you from attaining them. So, oftentimes, the way to staying focused and concentrated is all about setting realistic goals and working towards them. This is how it works – when you set S.M.A.R.T. goals which are generally specific, measurable, realistic, achievable, and time-bound, you thereby generally tune your psyche to push away distractions.
3. Tolerate only necessary distractions
Not all work items or activities that are not related to your work are actually unhelpful to them. The activities that go on with your work are those we tag as necessary distractions. They are distractions that are necessary. For example, some people listen to good music and this helps them to focus as they work without getting dissipated. Do you think such meaningful sound could constitute distraction at that moment? Nope!
Whatever thing you do which does not inhibit your work progress could be duly useful. At times, yours may be watching some comic video clips that help you garner more goosebumps as you work on. It may be your girlfriend who calls for evening chats with you for about fifteen minutes or so. It may be some productivity apps that send 5-minute articles to you. All these events cannot be truly described as distractions.
Though they are not related to the work you are doing, they are yet useful in that they boost your sense of self-worth and confidence. So, they may actually help you focus more. You see, it’s all about critically filling all the slots and spaces in your mind and not allowing just anything to get your attention unduly. It is about supplementing more necessary distractions to reduce the chances of being distracted.
4. Manage your time effectively
You may always take advantage of technology to manage your time. Because often times, staying focused has a lot to do with efficient time management. In other words, if you do not know how to manage your time well, you may not effortlessly maintain focus or retain concentration to any extent. There are apps that you can download to help you with arranging your schedules, reminding you of your time blocks, as well as some other strategies which are helpful to help you stay focused.
An app like Dropbox, for instance, helps you store your files securely. It synchronizes your files and makes them convenient to share. What about Slack, an app as well? – It simply assists you in making your workload more pleasant and effective and your work simpler to undertake.
What about Zendesk that affords many software companies more efficient relationships with their customers? What about Best Essays, a writing setup that may help you with writing your proposals? The idea is that; with apps or some websites like those mentioned above, you can drastically reduce needless worries and maintain focus and concentration as you work for long periods of time.
5. Program your distractions
Just as you are aware, not all messages that comes in-between our work hours are really distractions, but they only become so when they come seeking our attention at the wrong time. If you can schedule those things to get your attention at pre-determined times, you would find that they tend to distract you less.
6. Practice focus with little things
It is all about building the right and appropriate habits to maintain focus and retain concentration. If you cultivate the habit of staying on any one thing you are doing at any time and getting through them with determination, you would sooner than later discover that you have built a strong resistance against distraction. The moment you are able to set your goals, you’ll always find yourself achieving those goals.
With little things like; eating your lunch alone, not paging aimlessly through magazines, and responding to your important emails without breaking for Facebook friend requests, you can practice focus.
7. You!
Yeah! Focus on you! Here’s what we think it means to focus on you. It is all about knowing and pointing out what you think really distracts you from working for so long. At times, it may be your thought process. Sometimes, you may have to delegate. You may have to contract. For instance, if you had an assignment that consistently prevents you from making the most of your time, you may contract with writing agencies like Brill Assignment. Try and meditate on those things you can delegate or sub out, so as to make your mind stop wandering here and there.
Conclusion
Always be mindful that distractions are bound to come up. Nevertheless, you can practice focus and concentration effectively if you learn to consistently cultivate the right habits. You simply have to maximize the hints we have discussed and you’ll fare greatly well.
About Kurt Walker
Kurt Walker is a writer and an editor at superior papers. He loves sports, listening to music, and communicating with different people. You can follow him on Twitter.
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share about how you remain focused while working long hours.
Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
