Staying Focused at Work
If you have an office job, you know that staying focused can sometimes be next to impossible. As the day drags on and you get lost in the repetition of your tasks, your focus level can dwindle. Once your focus is gone, it can be hard to get it back and keep your productivity up. So how do you stay focused at work?
Evaluate Where You’re At
One of the biggest steps in staying focused is knowing where you’re at right now. If you know where your focus issues stem from, it’ll be that much easier to figure out how to solve them. Many people who work jobs with a lot of repetition find they have trouble focusing during their day. However, if you find that your focus issues continue even after your shift ends, there might be something else going on. If you feel like you might have an attention disorder, it might be worth it for you to look into getting an ADHD test done.
In adults, ADHD can look like trouble getting organized, trouble communicating with others, and of course, having trouble focusing. Many adults struggle with ADHD even without knowing they have it, so if you feel like you might, go ahead and talk to your doctor. If you do get diagnosed, whether or not you are put on medication, you will have a more accurate starting point for managing your focus issues at work. If you figure out where your focus issues stem, whether it be from an actual mental issue or not, you will have an idea of how to help yourself out.
Prioritize Your Work
When you get into work every morning and see all the things you have to do, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. One way to get organized and get working, no matter how much you have due, is by figuring out the priorities of everything on your list. Of course, things that have an earlier deadline should be a higher priority. Once those are cared for, try to get the things that will take the longest to finish. If you get the bigger projects out of the way, you can spend the rest of your time focusing on smaller tasks and stressing less over your workday. The more you’re stressed at work, the less focus you’ll have, so anything to help manage workplace stress will also help you focus on your tasks.
Break Down Your Tasks
If you feel yourself starting to slip into that zone where your focus diminishes, one way to drag yourself out of it is by breaking down what you still have left to do. If you look at the things left on the to-do list you’ve already made, you can figure out the steps you need to take from there. If you have a larger task that will take more time, it will probably help you to break it down into smaller goals. The smaller the steps ahead of you, the easier it will be to take them and finish the things you have to do.
Many people find that having a physical written list helps them stay focused on their tasks. You can use a sticky note, a scrap piece of paper, or even the notes app on your phone. Write out all the things you need to do and the steps to do them, then cross them off when they’re done. The more you get done, the more you’ll be motivated to continue. If you feel like you need a break, don’t be afraid to get up and move for five minutes. Getting some blood flowing can help you think more clearly and boost your focus levels for the final stretch of your day. Staying organized will help you stay on top of any focus issues that threaten your productivity.
In conclusion, whether your focus problems stem from something like ADD or ADHD or just being overtired and under stimulated, by organizing your day a little and correctly setting yourself up early, you can boost your focus all day long.
