Set clear, realistic daily goals
The first tip for staying focused at work is to organize your day. You need to define the objectives you want to achieve, so you can manage your time more effectively. To do this, make a list of tasks according to priorities. Put the most important tasks first, then the secondary ones. You can also group similar tasks together to maintain a constant work rhythm.
Whether you're self-employed, working remotely or in a company, this tip will help you to be more productive. However, you need to know your limits and set realistic goals to avoid being overwhelmed. Planning your day in this way allows you to project yourself forward and prepares your brain to concentrate and deal effectively with each daily task.
Organize your workspace
Your working environment should be conducive to motivation and concentration. It should be calm, well-lit and tidy. This means tidying up your desk every morning before you start work. Keep the bare minimum on the table and put all the documents you need to work on during the day within easy reach. This will save you time and increase your productivity.
You also need to take steps to reduce surrounding noise. If you're in an open-plan office, we advise you to isolate yourself in an empty room to get some peace and quiet. You can only do this when you have an important task to complete.
Set up rituals to prepare your brain
The brain or memory retains specific associations made on a regular basis. For example, when you make your bed in the evening, it understands that it's time to sleep and puts itself to rest. You can also use this trick to boost your efficiency at work. Create mechanisms that tell your brain it's time to concentrate. Your routine can consist of :
- drink a cup of coffee or tea,
- tidy up your desk,
- listen to music or podcasts,
- take up a sporting activity...
These rituals for triggering a positive brain response are many and they are unique to each person. When you find the exercise that makes you feel good, you're full of energy and this will have an impact on your mental capacity.
Set up a Deep Work schedule
Deep Work represents a state of deep concentration that enables you to perform complex tasks while delivering excellent quality work. It's a very brain-intensive exercise, which means it promotes the development of your cognitive abilities. According to Cal Network, the professor behind the concept, it is not beneficial to maintain this level of deep concentration for more than 4 hours. It can damage your memory and lead to burn-out over time.
To avoid this, you need to set time slots for Deep Work. If you're using this method for the first time, SeDomicilier advises you to limit the concentration time to 2 or 3 hours. Once this time has elapsed, you can carry out other side missions or take a break. You can then start another session or wait until the following day. If you incorporate this way of working into your daily routine, your brain will get used to it and your concentration time will evolve. You'll be more productive and more indispensable to the company.
In a professional environment, many things can distract your attention from your daily tasks. You need to target and eliminate them for better concentration. Digital distractions are generally the most frequent.
In the workplace, most employees have their phones on all the time. This means they receive all the notifications from WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger, mailboxes... The simple ringing tones emitted by these alerts will break your concentration. They will arouse curiosity and the desire to respond, which can cause you to lose your work rhythm.
To reduce these distractions, we advise you to cut your connection oractivate the "do not disturb" mode. You can also put the phone out of reach so you won't be tempted to handle it. Wait for rest periods to check your messages, mailboxes and calls.
Aside from digital distractions, there are also colleagues or multiple solicitations from your superior who can disturb your concentration. In these cases, you need to have signals to let them know that you're carrying out an important task. This can mean, for example, isolating yourself, wearing a headset...
Do important tasks in the morning
The best times to concentrate are usually in the morning, or in the evening for some people. When you wake up, you're full of energy and the brain is more efficient. Your memory is better able to gather and transmit information, especially if you've had a good night's sleep.
If you have an important task to finish, do it in the morning. Once you've arrived at the office, avoid replying to messages on social networks before starting work. However, you can quickly check your work mailboxto make sure there's no urgency. This is useful advice for company directors and employees alike.
Some people are also very productive late at night. It's also a good time to concentrate, because everything is quiet, which makes for good thinking.
Adopt the Pomodoro method
If you're looking for a trick to improve your time management, try the Pomodoro technique. You can use it at work or in any other area that requires concentration. It involves setting a timer for 25 minutes and concentrating on a task.
When the time's up, you can take a 5-minute break to clear your head. What's special about this exercise is that you can decide for yourself how long you want to work. You can work up to 1 or 2 hours and then opt for a 15 or 30 minute break. So you can use it to time your Deep Work exercises.
Written by our editorial expert
January 31, 2024
