January 18, 2018
Ok- it’s three weeks into the New Year, and I must admit, it’s been really, really hard to get focused! Over the holiday I ate too much…drank too much and socialized way too much. Last week, I stripped my house of all the Christmas decorations, and the only reminder of the holiday left is an occasional pine needle in the livingroom corner.
Yet, I still find myself easily distracted. Phone calls, Facebook, competing priorities and other people’s demands are all cluttering my brain. And, I’m not the only one having a hard time focusing. According to a survey conducted by Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter (Harvard Business Review, Dec 26, 2017) of more than 35,000 leaders across the world, 73% of leaders feel distracted from their current task either “some” or “most” of the time.
With all of the day-to-day distractions, how can we get refocused and continue to accomplish exceptional results in the New Year? Apparently, it starts with our ability to be able to apply a calm, clear focus to the right tasks—at the right time, in the right way. So here are a few tips from the experts:
Understand when you focus best—I’m personally a morning person so in the AM, my focus is the strongest. I tend to schedule my most challenging tasks to be completed before noon.
Focus on the moment at hand—I force myself to work one thing at a time and give it a time limit. For example, I decided to work on an editorial calendar for one hour this morning. When I finish, I will move on to something else. This also gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Make a to-do list and stick with it—Before I shut down my computer in the evening, I make a to-do list for the next day and add the tasks directly to my electronic calendar. This way, I know what I need to accomplish hour-by-hour the next day.
Take a break—I have an Apple watch and throughout the day it prompts me to stand up and move a little for one minute. While sometimes its not the optimal time (like when I’m driving down a highway), it’s a good reminder for me to stand up and stretch. Moving around also helps reenergize me for the next task.
Get proper rest. If I don’t get enough rest, chances are I am not going to be as productive as I can be. Therefore, I try to go to bed at a reasonable hour, so I can feel well rested and energized to take on the next day.
I’m a believer that holidays and breaks are important. They allow us to relax, recover and provide new energy for our work. Now that the official holiday break is over, have you gotten back on track? If not, let’s all try to get refocused on those things we put on hold until after the holiday and rock 2018! Are you with me?
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Lao-Tzu
Often, when I tell someone to “Keep Dreaming,” it comes from a sarcastic place and means “this will never happen.” However, as I reflect on the crazy, challenging year we all experienced in 2020, I think it’s time to get back to our dreams literally.
At the beginning of 2020, I had big dreams. I had planned a February vacation trip to Thailand, a women’s conference in March, Florida in April, Aruba in June, and Hilton Head with cousins in October. All plans were canceled indefinitely. Getting refunds/credits from travel agencies, airlines and hotels became a significant challenge and took lots of energy.
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Hi! I'm LaNella Hooper-Williams. Through my blog, my mission is to give you tips and practical tools that will help you build a powerful brand and accomplish your personal and professional dreams. You’ll learn strategies that help you manage your personal brand, get noticed and rewarded for your unique talents, and gain greater career focus.
That’s what I’ve been trying to do this year, especially at work–refocused. January is always a busy month. I’m a list maker, too. Keeps me focused and on track. My plan is to bring my work habits home to use spiritually and personally. This is the year for new beginnings so I’m eagerly trying to practice better, consistent habits!