Regaining Focus

Focus and productivity go hand-in-hand. Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like you have tackled all of your tasks simultaneously but at the end you have no real progress to show for yourself? I think most of us can say we have days like that. When I find myself in that situation I attribute it to losing my focus. Here are some of the things that I will do to regain my focus.

1. Exercise for 30 minutes. There is something about getting your blood flowing again that really rejuvenate the brain and brings back your focus.
2. Visualization exercise. A specific example that relates to me is that I will visualize one of my martial art forms from start to finish without interruptions. By focusing on a single thought for an extended period, the random thoughts passing though one’s head seem to calm down and/or disappear.
3. Turn off the distractions. I will try to turn off as many distractions as I can by shutting down email, closing extra applications, and then play some white-noise through my headphones to flush out the background clatter. Sometimes removing the distractions is all you need to regain your focus.
4. Change up the environment. Taking a pen and pad to a new location can sometimes jolt you out of your unproductive mode. It also completely removes you from the distractions in your current environment.
5. Prioritize tasks and commit to one. This is extremely helpful when I have several small tasks to do. By making that commitment to focus on one task for a specified amount of time and nothing else, it re-channels one’s energy on that sole task. The most rewarding part about it is that once a few tasks have been completed your momentum really begins to pick up.

What helps you to regain your focus? Any small tips or tricks that you could share?

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