Adrienne Campbell
In this world of multitasking and sensory bombardment, it can become increasingly challenging to target your focus on an upcoming project and give it the necessary attention it needs to succeed. Here are 8 unorthodox yet powerful ways to be decisive, draw a line in the sand—and improve your focus.
“Your goal is not only to pay concentrated attention to your task, but to adapt and make the adjustments necessary to see the task, assignment or project clearly.”
- CREATE A 24/7 DEDICATED SPACE FOR YOUR WORK
Create a dedicated space for YOU to do your work. Not a shared space, but a space that is indisputably yours. A dedicated space—at home and at work—allows your thoughts to flow freely, encourages creativity, eliminates distractions, and helps you to get a lot done in a shorter amount of time (which, in turn, allows you for more time with family and friends)
2. MAKE A DARING AND BLUNT MOVE
Squeeze out a daily and dedicated swath of time for you to do your work, and defend it, tooth and nail. If you need to work with no distractions, that point should be enforced with family, friends and especially roommates. Sometimes, you have to be blunt, and put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door. This helps those close to you know that you are very serious about accomplishing your goals. Take your goals seriously, and your surroundings will follow. Remember, if you value your work, and the time you invest in it (so you can pay the bills), and you are surrounded by people who don’t, it may be time to consider a move.
3. CREATE A CALENDAR WORK LIST
Instead of being overwhelmed by the largeness of a task, unpack the task you must focus on into a series of tasks on a work list. Break up the tasks into manageable swaths to tackle on a daily basis. Create a calendar of monthly tasks or weekly tasks you can focus on, so you can focus on one swath at a time. This is suitable for quarterbacking 25-page essay monsters, a multiple-month business launch, or even a multiple-week gardening plan for your humble backyard.
4. MIND-MAP YOUR WAY OUT OF THE CONFUSION
Still blind sighted by how to focus on a large task? Try creating a mind-map of the task. This will help you think out of the box to accomplish your goals which require your absolute focus and concentration. Tony Buzan describes this process in depth in his book Mind Maps. This step is similar to step three, but instead of a list, you are creating a picture or map of the concept. If it is a book you have to focus on, the mind-map creates a visual outline of the observations you make while reading. This method almost always leads to deeper insights and revelations about the subject, task, or project you are tackling. Try it!
5. FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS
If it’s a task you really hate, briefly and quickly consider the benefits of beginning and completing that task you have to focus on and put these on a paper. Every time you begin the task, look at that list, reflect on it, and then deep dive into your focus again.
6. CREATIVELY RECALIBRATE YOUR SPACE
If you already have secured a space to work, and you have trouble obtaining focus, re-arrange it in a way that is more functional, by either changing a chair (or its casters), or decluttering your space to remove extraneous items that distract your focus (meaningless trinkets, etc.). A purging of your workspace can prove useful in keeping you focused on the tasks at hand—make sure your writing space is clean and clutter free. You can also add brief sessions of aromatherapy to your space with an oil diffuser, using rosemary oil, which has been proven in studies to improve focus and concentration (for more information, see this article).
7. FORGET WHO FUSSES-JUST PUT AWAY THE PHONE
If you have an important task, let your colleagues know you will not be available—no Facetime, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—until your job is done. Place value on your work and skills by separating from the phone or social media until the task is done. Chris Winters talks about a productive swath of 3-4 hours of focused work, which in its full efficiency, is equivalent to a full days’ work. Then after tackling the big fish on your list, use the remaining four hours for the smaller tasks to be completed. Then you can spend time with family and friends!
8. FORGIVENESS
When others have wronged you, it can become really hard to get past the hurt to focus on the task at hand. The resulting issues can take a toll on your mind and your focus. The Scriptures state to give no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27.). Give no real estate space to people who are pawns of the enemy. Pray for them, forgive them, do the patient homework involved in healing, but then release them from your life and clear your mind to fully attack the task at hand. Move forward, focusing on the blessings and tasks you have been destined to do.
Try these uncommon, yet creative ways to improve your focus and generate creativity for your projects. Remember, your goal is not only to pay concentrated attention to your task, but to adapt and make the adjustments necessary to see the task, assignment or project clearly. These small adjustments, in the end, create an atmosphere in which the flow of connective ideas become more easily accessible. You will find yourself getting more done–with quality.
