When you go to the dictionary to look for the definition of focus, you will see such lofty things as:
“the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system.”
or:
“a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge.”
Luckily, for those of us that are not physicists, I did find one definition that makes sense when trying to understand the meaning of focus:
“a point of concentration or directed attention.”
What do you concentrate on the most with your business? Where do you direct your attention? These are the questions of focus. Over the years in my coaching and speaking, I have found them to be of utmost importance to the success of those in the workplace.
Let’s look at 5 tips for improving your focus as a busy professional.
1. Stop doing what you are doing.
If you struggle with focus on a daily basis and you continue to think and act in the same manner – you need to stop and stop right now.
The quote that is often attributed to Albert Einstein speaks to us here: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Stop. Breathe. Assess. Evaluate.
This leads us to our second tip.
2. Determine what needs your concentration and attention.
In the workplace, too many people “fly by the seat of their pants” when it comes to what needs to get done. In most instances, it is pure laziness that sustains this way of doing things. It takes work to stay focused and be successful.
As I said above, you will need to assess and evaluate in order to determine what needs your directed attention. Hopefully you have goals in place for yourself and your team. Let those goals be the defining line for your focus.
This leads us to our third tip for improving your focus as a busy professional.
3. Clear all unnecessary distractions.
Once you have determined the areas and actions that need your concentration, it is time to laser target your focus. In order to do this, you must clear away anything that would disrupt, distract or lessen your laser focus.
Things like:
- Cell phones
- Television
- Social Media
- Instant Messaging
- Coworkers
- Tasks that could be delegated
Make a list of all the things that you must stop doing in order to stay focused. This is the opposite of the normal to-do list. It will make clear what needs to be cut out from your daily routine.
Some distractions are going to be hard to give up because they have imbedded themselves as habits – and habits take time to change. Development of laser-targeted focus does not happen overnight, but it must be practiced daily in order to achieve its mastery.
4. Work in 60- to 90-minute blocks of time and provide yourself a reward.
Do not expect too much from your focus. Saying that you are going “to work until it’s done” is an overload for most of us. It is also too vague and not goal-oriented.
Set aside a specific amount of time for a designated task. Studies have shown that we do well when we block off 60- or 90- minute time frames. This allows you to see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that a break is coming.
As we work, our alertness drops off, increasing the lure of distractions. Set a timer and take a break at the end of each cycle.
How about a reward? We all like rewards in one form or another – even if we are the one giving the reward. Say to yourself, “After this 90 minute session of work I am going to take a 10 minute break and walk around the building.”
Other possible rewards are:
- A snack (be careful not to overindulge and get sleepy)
- Text messaging
- Fresh air
- iTunes
5. Learn to say no.
I mentioned delegated tasks earlier. Many busy professionals struggle with delegation. We tend to hold the old attitude of “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” This might be true in the here and now, but in the long run it will lead to lack of focus and, ultimately, exhaustion.
Learning to delegate is a form of learning to say no. “No, not me, not now.” When we learn to say no, we are truly saying yes to our focus.
There are many other tips that one can use to stay focused. These are the five that I have found to be the most useful. Take the time today to try one, two or all of them. Your goals deserve your focus. Your team deserves your focus. You deserve it as well.
DeLores Pressley, motivational speaker and personal power expert, is one of the most respected and sought-after experts on success, motivation, confidence and personal power. She is an international keynote speaker, author, life coach and the founder of the Born Successful Institute and DeLores Pressley Worldwide. She is the author of “Oh Yes You Can,” “Clean Out the Closet of Your Life” and “Believe in the Power of You.” Contact her via email at [email protected] or visit her website at www.delorespressley.com.
