Call it procrastination, distraction, lack of focus, being unproductive or whatever you want, bottom line is that there are things that you simply need to focus on and get done. Sometimes it’s quick and easy other times it seems near impossible. You know it has to be done but…How?
Staying focused and getting things done is a topic that comes up frequently as I work with my clients and even as I approach my own tasks.
Here are five strategies that my clients and I all use to help us get things done!
- Remove yourself from the distractions! If at all possible pick up the materials you need and go somewhere else. Can you go to a coffee shop and work there? Or maybe you prefer quiet and can go to a library. Sometimes even a different room in your office or home will do. By the way, I’m writing this article away from my distractions, I am sitting in a waiting room while the orthodontist adjusts my daughter’s braces.
- If you can’t remove yourself from your distractions then remove the distractions! Shut your phone and email. If possible shut your door, clear off a physical place to work. You don’t have to organize anything just get it out of your sight.
- Clearly define what it is you want to do. Sure you may know that you need to work on a report but the more specific you can get the better. Instead of sitting at your desk and thinking “It’s time to write the report,” rephrase it to “It’s time to gather the numbers and put them into the spreadsheet for the report.”
- Pay attention to when you work best. Are you a morning person? An afternoon person? A night owl? Think about the specific things that you’ve identified and schedule time to work on the tougher tasks when you are more alert.
- Do something…anything. Even if you decide to “get cracking” for just five minutes, you may well find that the task is not nearly as difficult as you thought it would be.
There are still going to be projects that are more difficult to tackle than others but using these five strategies has often helped me and my clients get started and stay focused.
One other strategy that works for me is to keep self-correcting. What I mean by that is, once I’m started, as soon as my mind starts to wander or I get tempted to switch gears and do something else, I tell myself “no” and that I need to finish the task before I move on. Sometimes I even say it out loud to increase the level of attention my brain gives to that message. Then I re-settle into doing the work and 9 times out of 10 this helps me get back on track and get the job done. And it feels so good to have it done and off my to-do list!
Sometimes it’s all about making a conscious decision…thanks for sharing Kammy!
Self-correcting is hard, just as as hard as staying focused. I’m in my room and the distraction is the Internet or some other project that I suddenly remember and for some reason “just want to start doing.”
One other strategy that works for me is to keep self-correcting. What I mean by that is, once I’m started, as soon as my mind starts to wander or I get tempted to switch gears and do something else, I tell myself “no” and that I need to finish the task before I move on. Sometimes I even say it out loud to increase the level of attention my brain gives to that message. Then I re-settle into doing the work and 9 times out of 10 this helps me get back on track and get the job done. And it feels so good to have it done and off my to-do list!