Distracted or Overwhelmed? How to Focus Better at Work

​Do you repeatedly switch tasks, forget instructions, or make careless mistakes? You're not alone. 2022's Mind in the Workplace report revealed that 7 in 10 employees found it hard to concentrate at work.

There are endless concentration-zapping distractions, from emails and phone calls to over-chatty co-workers and clutter. Then, mental exhaustion leads to brain fog, leading to poor performance and a potentially unhappy boss.

Here's how you can turbocharge your concentration and focus better at work.

Minimise workplace distractions

Yep, this means your phone. By limiting the distractions, you can control, you will level up your focus. Silence all alerts on your devices (better still, switch them off) and only check them during your breaks. Turn off email and create windows of time for email responding.

Consider turning the radio off, unless it provides white noise or music for focus. If possible, work in a quieter part of your office or site and reduce your workplace banter. If you're working in a team and can choose your co-workers, surround yourself with productive people who are driven and not inclined to be slacking or chatting.

Prioritise tasks and manage your time

Multitasking doesn't make you a superhero. Research shows it can be less efficient and lead to errors. Instead, manage your time effectively by prioritising your most urgent tasks. Draw up a daily or weekly agenda in advance with realistic timelines. Although the temptation may be to put off troublesome tasks, tackle the most difficult ones first.

Managing your time better doesn't mean full steam ahead with work; it means scheduling breaks. Studies show that taking five will help maintain performance, so the likelihood is if you take a break, you'll get more done later rather than just powering through.

Reduce clutter for better cognition

Mind-body studies show that your mental wellbeing is directly related to your surroundings. For example, if your workspace is messy or your tools are scattered, your brain won't be as sharp.

Keep your space in order by minimising visual clutter and non-essential items. Recycle or toss waste immediately. Always arrange and store equipment and tools correctly. You might not experience zen-like calm, but your mind will be clearer and less stressed.

Find your self-care sweet spot

Look after your mental and physical wellbeing, which means sleeping between seven and nine hours a night. Sync your body clock by going to bed and waking at the same time each day. If it helps, create a mini mindfulness routine that enables you to wind down at the end of the day or remain in the present moment at work.

An excess of energy can lead to poor concentration. Be sure to engage in energy (and cortisol) burning physical activities you enjoy, either alone or with a friend. Consider reducing caffeine and junk food for nutritious meals to prevent blood glucose spikes and crashes. Finally, choose to make boozy nights out a weekend reward rather than a mid-week burden.

If you are open to new opportunities, contact a recruitment agency like Trojan Recruitment Group and receive advice from the experts in labour-hire, permanent and contract staff.

Sources

https://www.mhanational.org/mind-workplace
https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/12/1/article-p109.xml