There is no doubt that a lack of concentration can keep you from achieving what you want. However, it is essential to note that productivity never happens by chance; doing everything you need and want to do requires a lot of consideration and planning, coupled with a constant source of concentration and motivation.
Imagine how good it would feel to accomplish everything you plan to do every day and relaxing knowing you have reached your daily goals. But, unfortunately, people usually have to deal with a lot of work and feel overwhelmed and fruitless. And as the day ends, they give up and feel overpowered by their to-do list.
The good news is that there are various things you can do to stay focused at work and get more done.
Always Love What You Do
Any meaningful job takes a great deal of focus, and before anything, you need to ask yourself why you are doing it. The answer you get will result from what you want, and you will therefore value your job.
Then, look for ways to make your tasks fun and allow your thoughts and creativity to play in the course. Think outside the box and don’t stick within the borders of permitted output. When you make something more fun, you are more likely to stay focused and increase your productivity.
On the other hand, if you love what you do, you will consider advancing your career at your present company, shift into a different role somewhere else or even work in a new industry. Moreover, advancing your education, for example, getting a masters in cyber security online if you are an IT professional, will show your employer that you are a person that values self-improvement. It can also help you keep up with the demands of the ever-changing world.
Ignore Distractions
Less is usually more, especially when you want to focus for an extended time. According to research, the best way to get things done and stay focused is to concentrate for a bit, take breaks, and focus again.
Smartphones and other mobile devices can be a form of distraction and can affect your productivity. Therefore, consider putting them away for a specific time or turn off the notifications to gain more hours of concentration and increased productivity.
The other ways to eliminate distractions are closing your office door or moving to a noiseless place, letting the people around you know that you need a quiet time, and close all programs and applications that are not relevant on your computer.
Eat Well
Everyone knows what happens when hunger hits. The feared combination of hunger and anger is one of the leading causes of poor concertation and low productivity at work. Therefore, to keep your mind focused and increase your energy levels, ensure that you don’t skip any meal.
Consider eating a well-balanced diet to stay fueled for the day. Snack on fruits, nuts, veggies, and seeds whenever you are hungry. Additionally, ensure that you drink enough water to stay hydrated.
To get an extra brain boost at work, consider adding the following brain foods to your diet:
- Walnuts
- Berries
- Fatty fish
- Green leafy vegetables
Get Enough Sleep
It is evident that many people are overworking themselves and don’t get enough sleep. A few nights of insufficient sleep might be okay; however, going for an extended period without enough sleep can impact your long and short-term memories as well as your ability to stay alert.
The recommended amount of sleep for an adult is seven or more hours. And to boost your sleep hygiene, try to avoid any caffeinated beverages during bedtime, turn off your electronic devices, and make sure that your bedroom is quiet and calm.
Give Yourself a Small Caffeine Boost
According to many studies, drinking a cup of coffee or any beverage that has caffeine might improve your ability to focus. Coffee or other caffeinated drinks are known as cognitive improvers that help enhance your mental concentration and alertness.
However, it is recommended that you drink small doses of coffee to avoid your body getting used to the stimulant. Your coffee consumption should be one cup per day; keep in mind that too much coffee can make you uneasy and reduce your ability to stay focused at work.
Get a Comfortable Chair
According to various research, many people lose their jobs due to problems linked to back pain. And according to professionals, the best way to get rid of this problem is by investing in a comfortable chair. Sitting on an uncomfortable chair for a whole day can be discouraging and will leave you with no option other than taking many breaks or even calling it a day. This means that you will miss important deadlines at work.
So, make sure that you get a chair that will fit you well. With the perfect office chair, you might get yourself glued that you won’t even realize what the time is. On the other hand, spending most of your time on your chair means increased productivity and concentration.
In addition, the right office chair will promote good posture and support your lower back hence reducing workplace injuries.
Break Tasks Down
Instead of doing one enormous task, why don’t you break it down into small doable tasks that can be completed in one day? That way, you will feel more successful every time you finish a task. Besides, you will have a better comprehension of what task needs to be done next.
Set Deadlines
Postponement is a productivity killer. The feeling of no pressure to complete a task can lead to procrastination. So, make sure that you set clear deadlines for every task on your to-do list. This way, you will create a sense of urgency and make it simpler to achieve the state of flow and focus on something more substantial.
Besides, setting clear deadlines will help you combat that internal perfectionist. Of course, it is good to work on a task until it is perfect, but that doesn’t mean that you get stuck on the specifics.
Final Thoughts
Staying focused and getting work done is never about the work itself. The ability to focus on your work and stay productive might depend on how complex or simple the work is, but it also depends on the environment, your moods, and whatever is taking place around you.
So, whenever things feel overwhelming, try looking for small ways to stay focused at work. Brush up on your skills, set deadlines, get rid of distractions, eat healthily, and, more importantly, get enough sleep.
