Concentrationin the office: 7 ways to improve it
In our hyper-connected society, concentrating at work is becoming increasingly complex. With the increase in smartphone notifications and time spent on social networks, there is even talk of anattention deficit similar to that observed in goldfish...
So how do you stay efficient throughout the day? What actions can you take to improve your concentration at work andboost your performance ? 7 tips from our team to boost your productivity, to try out straight away.
Tip 1: Start your working day by defining your priorities
The first habit to adopt is to start each morning by determining the 3 actions (1) you absolutely want to have completed during the day.
You can associate each task with a time slot in your diary, which avoids spreading yourself too thin and spending time on secondary tasks.
So, if you have a clear idea of where you're going, it'll be easier to respond to outside requests, and above all, how much time you can devote to them.
The best way to get rid of procrastination is to start with the action that seems the most complex. We need to tame our brain, which naturally pushes us to do the opposite. Faced with a difficulty or what it identifies as a "problem", it tends to want to flee.
=> Read our article : How to achieve your professional goals in three easy steps?
Tip number 2: The to-do list, your daily partner in efficiency
Putting down on paper the actions we want to accomplish makes us more committed to carrying them out. Perhaps you've already experienced this? In fact, one study compared the goal achievement of those who thought about what they wanted to achieve and those who wrote it down. Individuals who had written them down beforehand achieved 40% more of their goals.
It's also a practice that will free up your mind, because as long as you haven't completed a task, it's still stuck in your head: "write report x", "call supplier x", "check that x has followed up on this file"... And if for you, paper is a boomer thing, there are plenty of applications to relieve you of these thoughts.
On the other hand, if the task requires less than two minutes to complete, it's best to do it immediately. A finished task takes up less mental space than a "work in progress" task. Psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik has carried out tests on this subject, and found that waiters remembered orders in progress much more than orders already served.
Tip 3: Communicate about your organization
Did you know? When you're disturbed, it takes 20 minutes to regain the same level of concentration.
So why not talk to your colleagues about how you want to be interrupted, depending on the subject and the urgency? And don't forget to let them know when you're working on a project that requires all your energy.
As a manager, plan as many weekly meetings as possible with your team to answer questions. The most important thing is to communicate well to avoid any misunderstandings.
It's the same with the people who share your office. For example, in open-plan offices, it's a good idea to explain to your neighbors what you need to be productive.
Tip 4: Eliminate distractions to be productive
Many solicitations arrive via our work tools: our telephone and our computer.
In the book La 25ème heure (1), the authors recommend deleting notifications from our inbox and internal mailbox. Then set aside a few slots during the day to respond to them. This keeps you on track and focused on your subject. If one of your contacts is waiting for an answer that can't wait, he'll find another way to contact you.
You can also deactivate social network notifications. These applications eat up your time, so it's best to choose the times when you consult them.
Finally, we take a moment to unsubscribe from all those newsletters that we never read, but which extract us from our bubble while polluting our inbox.
Tip 5: Avoid multitasking to improve concentration at work
One of the worst practices for attention is "multitasking": doing several things at the same time.
You know that moment when you're watching a movie while scrolling through Instagram. Except that having developed this habit in your personal sphere, you also have the reflex at the office by checking your emails during a meeting (we know, we all do it!).
And yet, the impact on our brains is unmistakable: our nervous system is overtaxed, as if in turmoil. The result: more stress and fatigue.
So close all the open tabs on your computer and don't lose sight of your goal!
Tip number 6: Try the Pomodoro method at work
Do you have concentration problems at work and feel you're not in control of your time? We invite you to try out the Pomodoro method to reclaim your days.
The technique is simple: you start a 25-minute stopwatch and, during this time, you devote yourself to a single task. Once the timer goes off, you pause for 5 minutes. Then you start again until you've completed your mission. After 4 sessions of 25 minutes, you can take a slightly longer break.
Tip 7: Take a green break
While we're on the subject of taking a break, don't forget to give yourself one, even if it's an intense period. This will help you refocus and step back from that unfinished project. Ideally, you should be able to get some fresh air to relax and let your mind wander.
That's why The Oasis House offers innovative corporate team building and coworking seminars in the countryside. Immersed in a natural and rejuvenating environment, we believe you and your team will see your performance grow and be filled with innovative ideas.
In fact, if you haven't already identified them, we invite you to discover all the benefits of nature on productivity.
Sources :
- La 25ème heure, the productivity secrets of 300 successful startups - Guillaume Declair, Bao Dihn, Jérôme Dumont.
Goldfish civilization - Bruno Patino
