What Strategies Do You Use to Focus While at Work or Studying?

How Can I Focus And Get Work Done?

Be prepared

Focus is a muscle and you can build on it. Learn to start your day with the right frame of mind. Let your body calm, sit in a comfortable position and take a minute or two to take smooth, deep, uniform breaths before you begin your task. 

Get Your Desk Organized

You might have a cosy office, but when your desk is cluttered with books, stationery, and papers all messed up, your brain will be as lost as the pen that you are trying to find on that same desk. Research shows that a messy environment have a cumulative effect on our brains, and the visual distraction from a cluttered environment increases cognitive overload and decreases our working memory.

To organise your thoughts and concentrate your focus on a single task, you need a physical working environment that supports clarity. Is your working space taking a toll on your performance? Don’t despair. By making a few adjustments to your workspace, you can maximize your productivity. Tidy up your desk, organise your computer’s desktop, and do a Marie Kondo method. Put your hands on everything you own, and keep the items that spark joy.

Research Confirms That a Bad Chair Can Take a Toll On Your Health

According to a 2017 study published by The Strait Times, pain sufferers in Singapore cost the city-state's economy over $8 billion every year. In 2016, employees took an average of three days of medical leave due to headaches and back pains – something that everyone could've avoided by using an ergonomically designed chair. Although some of them worked through the pain, their productivity level fell by 15%.

Proper office furniture promotes excellent seating postures. An ergonomic chair with comfortable back support keeps you upright while sitting on your desk. Such a posture promotes high energy levels and improves self-confidence.

As a result,

You'll find yourself in high spirits at work and in school.

Make Sure You Sit Properly in A Comfortable Chair - Get an Ergonomic Chair

Studying or working from bed sends signals to the brain that it’s nap time and the body will react accordingly. It’s best not to put yourself in a position that is bound to fail from the start.

More, desk-bound employees or students often spend more than 30 hours each week at their desks and poorly designed chair makes users sit in the wrong posture, which hurts the neck, back, and lose concentration. So it is important to invest in an ergonomic chair that provides a high level of comfort and support to stay awake and focused.

Create an Hourly Work/Study Schedule

As the saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. After securing a proper ergonomic chair, boost your productivity by planning for your work schedule. Without having a proper plan for your day-to-day activities, it's easy for your day to fly by and you will end up accomplishing very little or nothing at all.

An hourly schedule acts as a guide and ensures you effectively achieve your daily tasks. That being said, you'll need to work effectively and efficiently to ensure each task is completed within the set timeframe.

Start with Harder Tasks

This approach to working or studying enables you to learn the importance of prioritization. You'll find yourself planning for the most involving tasks for the morning hours and handle easier work in the afternoon as the day winds up. This is because the brain is more awake in the morning than it is in the near evening.

Develop SMART Goals

You might be a diligent employee or hardworking student, but sometimes achieving your daily goals can become a challenge. When faced with an overwhelming project, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks that you can accomplish based on your schedule.

Take your list of priorities and turn them into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART) goals. By breaking down large-scale projects into smaller tasks, you can concentrate on a specific job, enabling you to complete the project in time. These strategies combined with an ergonomically designed chair, and you’ll effectively enhance your concentration span and become more focused on your work.

Get Ample Sleep

Most students find themselves seated on an ergonomic chair [in front of their desk] till late into the night. They only get about three to four hours of sleep. A four-hour sleep for a few nights is okay, but it negatively impacts your concentration and memory level if it happens all through the week.

How much sleep do I need?

Individuals who are 18 years and over require about seven hours of sleep every night to be productive; if you've lacked sleep at night, perhaps you should avoid taking caffeinated drinks, noise, and any smart devices that might occupy your mind.

How Can I Avoid Distractions?

Your smartphone, social media, friend or colleague, or other events happening around you are potential distractions.

As mentioned above, besides having a study plan or comprehensive study tips, you need to prioritize your comfort while working or reading. In return, it helps your posture and makes you alert to the task at hand.

You can also master the art of avoiding distraction through meditation. It enables you to channel all your mental energy to a particular station of thought, thereby shutting off all distractions, such as noise and music.

With more practice, you'll discover that you're able to focus on a particular task until completion. For instance, when it's lunchtime, concentrate on eating. Don't read the newspaper while texting and eating at the same time. The chances of completing any of those tasks become minimal.