In the distraction economy, focus is a rare commodity. We can\u2019t do meaningful work unless we maintain focus. Good leaders not only achieve greater focus but also equip team members with focus-boosting tools.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t let another week go by with fractured focus. Below, you\u2019ll find nine practices to destroy distractions in your daily work. Choose at least one of these tools to add to your work today.<\/p>\n
What gets scheduled gets done. Block your calendar when you can get into peak performance. For instance, I do my best work early in the morning, so I schedule early alone time to complete my most important projects. If you aren\u2019t familiar with chronotypes, consider reading When<\/em> by Daniel Pink<\/a>. You\u2019ll identify when you work best so you can schedule demanding tasks in your most productive time periods.<\/p>\n I first realized isolation was helpful when I noticed my productivity soar while seated on an airplane. I do my most creative work at 35,000 feet. The combination of white noise and distance from my community lets me crank out lots of content.<\/p>\n Replicate this on the ground by closing your office door or wearing headphones to signal to teammates when you\u2019re in deep work. You may even verbalize to coworkers or your boss that you need a few hours of uninterrupted work. At Michael Hyatt & Co., we believe so much in isolation that we designate Wednesdays as no meeting days. Isolation is essential.<\/p>\n Turn off notifications or use a tool that blocks content. You don\u2019t have the mental strength to overcome pop-ups on your own. I use a tool called Freedom<\/a> on my desktop. On my phone, I delete nonessential apps and set screen time controls for social media apps required for work. I don\u2019t even know the code to bypass the limits. My wife keeps the code so I can\u2019t breach my digital distraction firewall. To win the war on focus, you must take down the tech giants.<\/p>\n In a study published by Scientific American, participants were asked to proofread an article. Some worked in a room at 77\u00b0F while others worked in a room set to 67\u00b0F. Those in the cool room found twice as many errors as their counterparts. Science proves it\u2014cooler rooms improve concentration. Optimal temperature varies by person, so test out different settings to find your perfect thermostat setting.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re uncomfortable, you\u2019re distracted. Find a comfortable posture. This doesn\u2019t mean lying in bed. Don\u2019t get so comfortable that you\u2019ll fall asleep. I feel most comfortable working from a standing position, so I spend the majority of my days at my stand-up desk. Find what works for you.<\/p>\n\t\t2. Isolate yourself.<\/h3>\n
3. Go offline.<\/h3>\n
4. Turn the room temperature down.<\/h3>\n
5. Get comfortable.<\/h3>\n