Ever been worried about how to focus at work when you’re bored? You are not the only one with the question as many other people sometimes find it very difficult to keep the goal in mind especially when they are confronted with many of those daily problems that are strong enough to shift the focus.
While some tasks require a lot of attention to detail, there are others that are sometimes so routine that we instantly grow bored and then we either start getting sloppy or get distracted by our smartphone, our neighbors, our manicure, etc.
Difficult tasks often require concentration and quietness. Unfortunately, you likely dwell in a cubicle farm full of loud co-workers and constant activity. And there’s always the internet primed and ready to lure you into news stories, funny videos, and social media.
However, if you know you’re easily distracted by all these things, it’s time for you to take action and then get over these things in the easy ways possible. Here are some of the easy ways about how to retain your focus at work when you get bored:
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Know the Reason
The first step to regain your concentration is to identify what is causing you to lose it. Is it stress, fatigue, boredom, lack of interest, or something else? Once you know the root of the problem, you can address it more effectively. For example, if you’re stressed, you can try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or exercise. If you’re bored, you can try to find some aspects of your work that interest you or challenge you. If you lack interest, you can try to reconnect with your purpose or goals.
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Make a Strong Decision Against Distractions
The second step to regain your concentration is to eliminate or minimize the distractions that interfere with your work. Distractions can come from external sources, such as noise, emails, phone calls, or social media, or from internal sources, such as thoughts, emotions, or impulses.
To eliminate external distractions, you can try to create a quiet and comfortable workspace, turn off notifications, mute your phone, or use headphones. To eliminate internal distractions, you can try to clear your mind, focus on one task at a time, or use positive affirmations.
Meditation helps me return to work, stay focused, and avoid distractions. When feeling unfocused or distracted, take a pause, reflect, and meditate for 2-3 minutes to regain concentration and stay on track.
The third step to regain your concentration is to use apps for time management. Apps for time management can help you organize your tasks, prioritize your goals, track your progress, and remind you of deadlines. Some examples of apps for time management are Toggl, Todoist, Evernote, and Pomodoro. These apps can help you plan your work, break it down into manageable chunks, and keep you motivated and focused.
The fourth step to regain your concentration is to take breaks. Taking breaks can help you refresh your mind, recharge your energy, and prevent burnout. Breaks can also help you improve your creativity, memory, and problem-solving skills. You can take breaks in different ways, such as stretching, walking, reading, listening to music, or chatting with a colleague. The key is to find a balance between work and rest that suits your needs and preferences.
In my experience good work and performance requires energy. Pushing through does not help! Our creative flow can be tapped into by getting out of the mind and into the body. Going for a walk, listen to binaural music can give you a fresh start to get that creative juice back. Also being aware when enough is enough and come back to it tomorrow.
A step to regain your concentration is to reward yourself. Rewarding yourself can help you reinforce your positive behavior, increase your satisfaction, and maintain your motivation. Rewards can be anything that makes you happy, such as a snack, a drink, a compliment, or a hobby.
You can reward yourself after completing a task, reaching a milestone, or overcoming a challenge. The important thing is to make sure that your rewards are proportional to your efforts and that they don’t interfere with your work.
Treat yourself when you do well. It makes you happy and keeps you motivated. Get a snack, a drink, a compliment, or do something you enjoy after finishing a task or facing a challenge. Just make sure it doesn’t disrupt your work.
One of the worst things to do is try to stay focused when tired. Take breaks occasionally and when necessary. Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to rest and recharge. Stepping away from your desk, stretching, or taking a brief walk can help alleviate mental fatigue and improve concentration when you return to work.
Another way to regain your concentration is to seek feedback. Seeking feedback can help you improve your interpersonal skills, learn from your mistakes, and grow as a professional. Feedback can come from different sources, such as your boss, your colleagues, your clients, or yourself. You can seek feedback in different ways, such as asking questions, requesting reviews, conducting surveys, or keeping a journal. The essential thing is to be open, respectful, and constructive when giving and receiving feedback.
