The past few weeks have been tough for all of us. Admittedly, we couldn’t help listening to the news as the events unfolded — fearful of not only what was happening, but of what might come next.
In times like these, it’s important to have some go-to tactics for staying focused and productive throughout the day. Below are some tips that work for me:
- Brain Dump: I start by making a master to-do list, without prioritizing or separating work and personal tasks. I write down everything that needs to get done, then prioritize / organize it into manageable, shorter lists that that are easier to conquer. I’m always amazed of the things I remember when I’m doing this “purge” that I may have otherwise forgotten.
- Schedule Your Day: If you know you’re going to have a hard time focusing at work, make time the night before to thoughtfully outline and organize yourself for the following day. Studies show that having a written plan of action increases your productivity. I find it helpful to put time slots down next to tasks I must accomplish and not allow myself to sway from them. Incoming requests can sometimes throw us off because we feel the need to address them right away; keep a list nearby and as new requests roll in; add them to the list but immediately return your focus.
- Balance: Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. This is one of the things I always need to work on. If you’re faced with a full-page, single-spaced list of to-do’s, it can be difficult to know what to do first. Select two or three must-dos and either highlight them on your master list (I use a different color for each day of the week) or have separate lists for each day. This not only keeps you focused on just those items, but you feel productive when you see them crossed off. That positive momentum should keep you moving forward all week!
- Give Yourself a Break: When creating your schedule, try to find a balance between busyness and short breaks. You want to keep yourself busy, but you don’t want to schedule so many tasks that you feel overwhelmed. So plan a full day, but don’t forget to leave room for short breaks and other interruptions. My trick for doing this is to use the timer app on my phone: when I have trouble with distractions or just ‘getting into the work’, I set my timer for 15- or 30-minute intervals. I tell myself to just get started and focus for the next 15 (or 30) minutes and then take a break to get a drink, take a quick walk outside, read a chapter in my book, etc. This always works; the thought of a little reward for getting started eases me into a challenging task.
- Practice Mindfulness: This is a hot topic right now but I first learned of being ‘mindful’ from my yoga instructor years ago. Mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening in the present moment without judgment (as defined by Tara Brach who wrote “Radical Compassion.”) Mindfulness meditation has a host of health benefits and leads to less stress, more focus and being more present. I recommend listening to Tara Brach on Spotify in an episode of “Life Kit” for NPR called “Anxiety is Overwhelming. Here’s a Mindfulness Tool That Works.” This short podcast will teach you her RAIN method, which is an acronym for Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture. Give it a listen — it’s worth the time!
- Look Forward to Something: The thought of focusing and feeling productive can be stressful, and at times, overwhelming. What works for me is to think about what I want to do that will bring me and my kids joy, and plan it. Since the pandemic, this has meant doing something every weekend to break up the monotony on endless weeks blending into indistinguishable months of time. It also gives me something to look forward to each week. Examples are family hikes (spending time outdoors is a proven mood-lifter), baking a new recipe, home spa nights with my daughter, a movie and game night, or taking an online class together doing something fun — we subscribed to craftsy.com for $5 / year; they have courses on sewing, cooking, cake decorating, drawing and more.
We will get through this unprecedented time together, and being able to focus on not only our work but also on what brings us joy is an essential skill necessary to get us there. I hope you find these tips helpful — please share any tips that work well for you!
We can help refocus your business plans for 2021, or take a few tasks off your plate for you — give us a shout at 203-776-1323 or amy@elementsdesign.com to discuss how.
—Amy
