1. More trees. Less brick. You know
those moments when you are completely
unable to concentrate due to mental fatigue?
Psychologists studied people at that
very moment. Group A then took a short
walk through a busy downtown. Group B
walked through various natural environments
(parks, etc.). Group A’s walk did
not help them upon returning to work,
but Group B received significantly better
results in their ability to focus on key
tasks. Even simply reviewing photos of nature
can have the same effect, according to
the Attention Restoration Theory. If your
mind is in a constant state of chaos, review
photos of nature, or take a walk through
the local park. Your work will benefit.
2. Prioritize prioritization. Your prefrontal
cortex is in large part the area of
your brain responsible for focus. It’s an
amazing muscle, but it’s a muscle that tires
easily. Every time you actively push away a
distraction, you are sapping resources that
will reduce your ability to effectively do
it the next time. The solution? Start your
day by setting your priorities, from the
most mentally draining to the least, rather
than on the basis of who wants a response
fastest. Put the most mentally draining
work at the early part of the day (assuming
you don’t have a hangover). Fight to
keep the first two hours of work sacred.
Ask for meetings to be later in the day so
you don’t have your most precious mental
resource robbed.
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3. Move the calendar front and centre.
While prioritized task lists are a huge
step up from the “let my newest email
tell me what’s important” strategy, it’s not
enough. Take your priorities and assign
time chunks to cover each one. Your calendar,
rather than your inbox or task list,
should now be the primary “screen” on
your computer.
4. Utilize technology. Can’t resist the
quick peak at Facebook when you are on
a tight deadline? It’s time to use technology
to protect us from technology. There
are many programs and apps available on
your smartphone, tablet and laptop that
will help you focus. n
Curt Steinhorst has spent years studying the
impact of tech on human behaviour. As a
business owner, entrepreneur, and founder of
FocusWise, he sees how lack of focus impacts
today’s workplace and its leaders. Attend
Steinhorst’s session at the HRPA Annual
Conference, entitled “Thriving in the Age of
Distraction,” on February 1 at 3:00 p.m.
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