Improving Focus
I’ve written before about the importance of time. But time, by itself, is not very useful. You can have all the time in the world and squander it by being distracted, scrolling through your phone, multitasking, etc.
Productivity is a function of time and focus. Focus is the force multiplier. You can get more done in 15 minutes of dedicated, intentional effort than hours of unfocused work. These are a few (ALL NATURAL) tips that have helped me optimize the latter part of that equation:
Setting an intention – before starting work on anything, take a few minutes to write down what you want to achieve, why you are doing it, and how long you will spend on it. It's a good exercise to keep you on track and remind you of the purpose of what you’re doing
Create an environment to focus – In a world of constant notifications, limiting distractions is an active process. Turn off your phone, close emails / browsers, and clear your workspace of everything except what you need for the task at hand. Plan your day to have at least one block of deep work where you can be completely focused on the most important task of the day
Do the hard things first – Prioritize working on your most difficult tasks early in the day when your focus and willpower are highest before the day’s demands have taken their toll. The later you get to it, the more likely you are to tell yourself “it can wait until tomorrow”
Take breaks – It’s easy to jump from one task to the next, especially if you feel like you’re in the flow. But taking quick breaks to recharge your cognitive battery is a key element of maintaining focus throughout the day. Go for a walk outside. Meditate. Cold shower. Anything to give your mind a break (scrolling through your phone doesn’t count)
Finding What Works for You
“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.”
These are just what works for me. You’ll also find hundreds of other productivity hacks and frameworks out there – time-blocking, Eisenhower decision matrix, Pomodoro technique, etc. All of these can serve as valuable ideas and inspiration but the real value comes from how well you can apply and tailor them to your specific needs and lifestyle.
I’ve tried time-blocking my weekly schedule down to 15-minute increments but quickly found that life with a baby does not adhere to such a regimented schedule. And I’m just not that disciplined. This might work for some people but just not for me right now.
Just remember to meet yourself where you are today.
Small Wins to Build Consistency
Focus is a skill that can be trained like any muscle or discipline. The most important ingredient is consistency. A single day where you’re fully locked in but followed by a few so-so days won’t benefit you nearly as much as stringing together a series of small wins every day. The small wins give you the juice to keep going, to get back after it the next day.
You don’t need to hit a home run every day. Set realistic goals for yourself, ones that you'll need to stretch a little to achieve but aren't impossible. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Writer Steven Kotler calls this “finding the right challenge-to-skills ratio”. It’s one of the key criteria for entering "flow" – states of peak of performance and focus where you’re “in the zone” (Steven Kotler has written extensively about the science of flow states. I’d recommend his books The Rise of Superman or Art of the Impossible if you’re interested in learning more).
How your day goes is largely a function of a set of conditions that you find yourself in. A lot of those things are well within your control - a good night’s sleep, not snoozing your morning alarm, a solid to-do list, a healthy diet, etc.
I like to spend some time at the end of every day reflecting on how the day went. Did I stay on track or get distracted? Why? How can I make tomorrow go a little better? This practice helps me formulate a plan for the next day, identify any new habits that might be forming, and make any necessary course corrections.
Be an observer of your own experience and put yourself in the best position to succeed.