How to Stay Focused
Posted October 10th, 2016
Do you have trouble focusing during the day? Do you find yourself jumping from one task to the next with little time to get your bearings? There may be a number of different reasons why this is happening, but usually there are two primary culprits.
The first is our dependence on electronic devices. We seem to be attached to them from the time we wake up until we go to sleep at the end of the day. We are spending more time than ever with our smartphones and tablets, an average of 12 hours a day, according to some studies. Our minds our continually distracted with the electronics, giving us little time to step back and focus on the things we need to.
The second is the amount of time we spend in meetings, which can range anywhere from 35 to 55 percent of the day. This also prevents us from focusing on the things that really matter. So, what can you do to regain your focus? There are several things, some of which you may already be familiar with.
1. Mindfulness
Instead of immediately checking your smartphone for messages when you get up in the morning, take a few minutes to practice mindfulness. This might be something as simple as a little deep breathing or 10 to 20 minutes of meditation.
Jumping onto our smartphones raises stress levels, which actually impairs our cognitive abilities, according to psychologists. Meditation does the opposite. By calming you, it helps you to think better.
2. Get organized
Don’t let other people plan your day for you. If you have a complicated project to work on, you need to set aside enough time to really get something done, not simply squeezing a few minutes in here and there. The best time to do this is in the morning.
3. Keep a tidy workplace
Cleaning up your work area will also help you to focus. Research has shown that it will also increase your productivity. Minimize the number of apps on your devices. Put papers in folders. Remove the clutter.
4. Have smaller meetings
Studies have also shown that the more people you have in meetings, the harder it is to focus. Business experts recommend that you should have no more than eight people attending any one meeting.
After a meeting, give yourself some time to gather your thoughts and reflect on what was covered, rather than simply running to another meeting.
If you need to stay focused in finding a job, Bayside Solutions can help you. Bayside focuses on technology-related areas, so we know the job market for these kinds of jobs, and how to find the best job for you. Give Bayside a call today.
