Most people find themselves having trouble keeping focused. But some find that being distracted is a consistent issue and can get in the way of productivity. Symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity can get in the way of a focused and productive work day. These symptoms, in extreme cases, can also be linked to Adult ADHD. The key to success is learning to work with those symptoms instead of against them.
The tasks you don’t enjoy doing require thought and planning if you have trouble staying focused. When you cant delegate the task you need to develop coping strategies to make sure you can focus when you need to.
Identify your learning style. Figure out how you learn best and then organize your space to play up your strength. If you can identify your learning style then you can start building your work system around it. For example if you have a hard time keeping track of information that’s out of sight, create an open filing system with color coding and clear containers can help you keep organized. If you’re an auditory learner who needs to prepare for a speech or interview, you will recall your talking points better if they’re read out loud.
Map out your day by the hour and review it through out the day to help you organize your time. That visual cue will help you pace yourself and budget your time. Rank your tasks with color coded urgency. If you need to get it done ASAP make the task red, while if it’s something that can wait until the end of the week then make the task green. This will help you keep your priorities straight and budget your time accordingly. Keep it visual.
Fidget to help you focus. If you need to keep yourself focused during a meeting or a call, bring a small object that you can play with such as putty. It should be something you can manipulate mindlessly while you’re listening and can essentially do one handed when you have to take notes. It frees up your mental energy and helps you throughout the day to stay on task.
Boring tasks can cause excessive distractions and procrastination. Forcing yourself to endure them will only increase the issue. Instead work in fifteen minute intervals. Set a timer and do as much as you can before it rings. You can make a game of it. When the time is up, do something active, then set the timer for another fifteen minutes. The burst of activity will keep your energy levels up which will help you keep your focus. This will help keep you from getting mentally fatigued and bored.
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