Everyone can most definitely benefit from increased focus and attentiveness. There are so many countless things that can distract us on a day-to-day basis, be it our phones, noise, people, or situations. Imagine how much more tasks you would be able to get done, and how much more effective and productive those tasks would be, if you could increase your focus and devote your attention to whatever you are doing per time.
This is why we are bringing you this article, to help you develop a ritual that would make sure that you are minimizing distractions and getting the most out of your time. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Identify When You Need to Focus the Most
When does your mind wander down strange little distracted paths? When do you get interrupted the most? Start to notice the times and spaces when you’re most likely to have your boundaries gatecrashed by distractions.
It could be things like messages, social media notifications, phone calls, and emails that make you itch to reply. The solution to these distractions is to try and get rid of them before you even start the work that you want to do. For example, you can decide to turn off your phone when it’s time to tackle a big project.
2. Discover What Gets You In the Zone
For one person, it might be meditating before starting work that gets them in the zone, for others, it might be putting their favourite song or playlist on repeat.
Here are some ideas that might work for you:
●︎ Settling in with a favourite beverage.
●︎ Putting on a piece of music that inspires you.
●︎ Tweaking your environment, even if that’s just going to a different part of your room.
●︎ Changing into a lucky article of clothing.
●︎ Washing your face or taking a shower
3. Practice Your Ritual
Once you’ve identified what gets you in the zone and tried it out, keep trying it—over and over again. The power of a ritual comes with repetition. Make it a habit every time you’re about to dive into some deep work. You want the act to feel as natural as changing into a fresh pair of socks in the morning.
Pretty soon, you’ll be doing it without thinking and sending a cue to your brain. Your focus and attention is a muscle, and it’ll start to get stronger and stronger.
4. Clue Other People Into Your New Practice
If most of your distractions involve other people, then you should tell them about your focus ritual.
You can give a very polite note to your coworkers, or your roommates, when it is time to get in the zone. This communication is so important, so that they are aware that they shouldn’t be a distraction, at least for the little time when you would be working. Sometimes it can be tempting to want to be included in every talk going on in the office, or to be out in the living room with your roommate, laughing your heart out, but sometimes those things are not in our best interest, especially when you have pending work to do.
5. Create a Physical Signal
If you don’t want to constantly verbalize about your deep focus time, here’s another tip: Headphones really work. If listening to music is too distracting to the task at hand, you don’t actually have to listen to anything. Simply putting headphones on your ears is magical. People will think twice before popping by your desk for a quick chat or striking up a conversation at that coffee shop where you always want to get work done. Headphones are your not-so-invisible force field against distractions.
You can also get others to adopt your focus ritual as well. By putting up a signal that tells people that you are working, they might be inspired to go get their own pending work done. After all, as human beings, we are inspired when we see other hard-working people.
Conclusion
Remember, even though the world will try to pull you in many different directions, you have the power to set your own boundaries. Don’t let anyone crash them, create a ritual to protect yourself, and don’t forget to show yourself compassion if at any point you fall short.
DISCLAIMER: These posts should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, physical or psychiatric condition. Information shared via posts does not replace professional healthcare advice specific to your condition and needs. If you are unsure whether you would benefit from implementing tools discussed in these posts, please contact your healthcare provider.