On today's post, I have some helpful ways of improving your focus, so that you can get more accomplished in the amount of time you have to spend on your business! I am primarily thinking of those who work full time, and are trying to squeeze in time to work on a second business on the side. This is when it is so important to be able to focus well, so you can make the most of the time you have available to work on your second business.
When studying on this subject, I found some very good material. I will quote portions of the articles, and then give the links to the articles, so you can read them completely if you choose.
Improving your focus can make you a better student or employee as well as a happier and more organized person. If you want to improve your focus, then you need to learn to avoid distractions and to be prepared with a focus-filled game plan before you set out to accomplish a task. If you want to know how to focus like a laser, just follow these steps.
Multi-task less. Though many people think that multi-tasking is a great way to accomplish goals more quickly and to get two or three things done at once, multi-tasking is actually harmful to your concentration. When you multi-task, you may think you're getting more done, but you're not putting all of your focus and energy into any one task, which actually harms your concentration.
- Work on getting just one thing done at a time and you'll see that you get this done more quickly.
- Chatting with your friends online while getting work done is one of the worst forms of multi-tasking. Chatting with a friend can slow your productivity down by half.
- If you're working at home, avoid the temptation to do chores while you're working or studying. You may get the dishes washed, but you'll slow yourself down tremendously.
Reflect. Have you ever spent a whole day "working" and then wondered how you managed to accomplish almost nothing? If this has happened to you, then you should reflect on the experience before you jump into another equally unproductive day. Before you start working, you should write down all of the things that were and weren't working during your study or work session to make sure to have a better experience.
- Were you supposed to study, but spent the whole time gossiping with your study buddy? Then you should study solo next time.
- Were you doing work in your office, but really spent the whole day helping out your colleagues instead of getting any work done for yourself? Then next time, you should be less helpful and a little bit more selfish.
- Did you waste your whole day reading random articles that people posted on Facebook, g-chatting with your friends, or texting with your friends about what you'll do that night? It's better to do those things after the work day is done.
- Before you start your work day, write down whatever it was that kept you from accomplishing your goals, so that you're less likely to make the same mistake.
Make a to-do list. If you want to focus better, you need to make a to-do list every day so that you have a tangible list of things to check off when you're done, and feel more direction to accomplish your goals. Instead of sitting around aimlessly, you'll have a list of goals in front of you, and will feel a sense of pride when you get them done.
- Write down at least three things you need to get done that day, three things you need to get done the next day, and three things that need to get done that week. Tackle the things that you need to get done that day first, and feel accomplished if you have time to get a jump start and work on the other tasks.
- Reward yourself with breaks. Give yourself a small break every time you check another item off of your to-do list.
Avoid distractions online. The Internet may be filled with interesting and valuable information, but when it comes to getting work done, it can be a huge time-suck. If you really want to get work done, then you need to avoid Facebook and chatting with your friends throughout your work day, and to check your email only a few times a day if you really need to.
- If you spot an interesting article, tell yourself that you can read it during your scheduled break time -- but not sooner.
- Avoid sending personal emails while you're working. This will distract you and will usually take a lot longer than you intended.
- If you don't really need the Internet for work, then disconnect your wireless completely. You can reconnect it every hour or two to check back in.
- Avoiding online distractions completely takes time. If you check your Facebook and email every fifteen minutes, start by checking it every 30 minutes, and see if you can work up to checking it just two or three times a day, or to avoiding Facebook all together.
- If you do need the Internet to work, try not to keep more than five tabs open at a time. Focus on what you need to read and move on. If you have too many pages open at once, your mind will be in multi-task mode.
Stay motivated. If you want to avoid distractions and focus more, the best way is to stay motivated to finish your task. You should write down why you're motivated to get your work done, and look down at this reason several times a day, to remind yourself why it's important to focus and not be tempted by a distraction.
- Consider the importance of your work itself. Tell yourself that if you're grading papers, it's important to give your students feedback. If you're wrapping up a project, then it's important for the success of your company.
- Consider yourself. What personal advantage will you gain from getting the work done? If you study for a test, then you'll be able to get a good grade and boost your GPA. If you seal an important deal with a client, you may be able to get a promotion.
- Consider the fun things that await once the work is done. Remind yourself about the fun things you can do once the task is done, whether it's taking an evening yoga class, catching up with an old friend over ice cream, or having a nice, relaxing meal with your significant other.
You can read the above article in full HERE.
Conquer Procrastination
Don't feel like concentrating? Are you putting off a task or project you're supposed to be working on? That's a form of procrastination. R. D. Clyde said, "It's amazing how long it takes to complete something we're not working on."
Next time you're about to postpone a responsibility ask yourself, "Do I have to do this? Do I want it done so it's not on my mind? Will it be any easier later?" Those three questions can give you the incentive to mentally apply yourself because they bring you face to face with the fact this task isn't going away, and delaying will only add to your guilt and make this onerous task occupy more of your mind and time.
You can read the above article in full HERE.
"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13,14
These 2 verses are wonderful. We can apply this to our subject today of improving our focus. "This one thing I do" would speak of focusing on one thing at a time, being single-minded, and not allowing ourselves to be distracted during the time we are working on our business.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" reminds us to not allow past mistakes and failures to keep us from continuing on with renewed determination.
"I press toward the mark for the prize" success comes from having patient continuance in well doing. Don't give up, expect problems and set-backs, and overcome them with determination and enthusiasm!
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