If you think about it, eight hours is a long time. Even so, a lot of us go through a productivity slump as the workday continues. In fact, many employees admit to struggling the most after lunch. Before, the midday puts a halt on your workflow, be sure to check out these 8 helpful ways to actually stay focused at work.
1. Eliminate distractions
The first way to stay focused at work is to eliminate distractions. If you’re an employee with internet access, you’ll find it helpful to stay off of social media. Moreover, stick to activities that will benefit your workflow. There are tons of useful websites for productivity such as Trello, Grammarly, or even Calendly. So, if you are spending time on the internet just make sure it’s part of your job.
Additionally, take a look around your desk. Are there decorations that make you lose focus? Is the environment set up for easy concentration? Assess and make changes where necessary.
2. Put guidelines on your inbox
The less junk email that comes into your work inbox the better. If you receive non-work related items, it’s time to unsubscribe. Furthermore, advise coworkers to keep interoffice email only for work updates or project notices. Putting guidelines on your employee inbox is another valuable way to stay focused at work.
3. Schedule your next move
It’s hard to stay focused at work, especially if you don’t know what you should do next. Create a schedule of tasks and understand each deadline. Keep yourself in gear to knock out your to-do list one by one. At the end of the day, knowing how much you have accomplished is enough to skyrocket your inner motivation.
4. Stop reacting immediately
You can improve workplace focus by not reacting immediately to every situation. Think about it. If you stop doing a task everytime a new notification appears, you will never complete that task. Therefore, when you’re working on something specific, put your full attention to it until it’s done.
5. Take breaks
It may seem counterintuitive, but taking a 15-minute break every 2-3 hours will help you stay focused. That’s because a break allows your mind to recharge. It also provides an outlet to have a snack or use the bathroom.
6. Sit comfortably
A sore back will put a damper on your mood (as well as distract you.) If you need to stay focused at work, then make sure your chair and seating arrangments are comfy.
Another side to sitting comfortably means controlling your temperature. Make sure to bring a sweater if your office is cold, or lighter textiles if your workplace is hot. A research study concluded that performance decrements are more clearly established for temperatures outside of the [employee’s] comfort zone. That means it’s best to wear office approved attire to suit your individual needs.
7. Combine common tasks
You can wiz through a large number of items if you combine common tasks. Particularly, if you group together functions like invoices or callbacks. Superior skills come from the ability to see the organized whole rather than as a bunch of individual pieces.
8. Verbalize the need for assistance
If your workload is still overwhelming, it may be time to ask for assistance. By gauging your tasks, you can see if you’re at your personal limit for productivity. Often, we lack focus when we cannot visualize the end. If there’s too much to complete, without enough time, speak up.
Stay focused at work
Using these 8 simple tips will keep job efficiency as your main focal point. Establish a productive mindset at your workplace and get ready to see GOOD things happen.
