Last month, we introduced you to the cornerstone of The ASCEND Method™: Advocate for Self, where we discussed the importance of prioritizing personal well-being to enhance overall performance and leadership. Continuing our journey to redefine productivity in today’s hectic world, let’s delve into our next fundamental: Simplify Your Focus.
In his insightful book Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again, Johann Hari argues that our capacity to pay attention is being undermined by a world filled with distractions. This isn’t just a matter of willpower; our brains are literally being rewired, making it increasingly difficult to think deeply. Hari points out, “I found strong evidence that our collapsing ability to pay attention is not primarily a personal failing…this is being done to us all…by very powerful forces, including Big Tech.” He asserts, “This crisis is human-made, and it can be unmade by us too.”
As we navigate our environments – both at work and at home – where multitasking is glorified, it’s crucial to understand that our brains aren’t designed to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Hari notes, “If you spend your time switching [tasks] a lot, the evidence suggests you will be slower, you’ll make more mistakes, you’ll be less creative, and you’ll remember less of what you do.” A study cited by Hari even found that “most office workers in the U.S. never got a (full) hour of uninterrupted work in a typical day.” This same study found that technological distraction—just getting emails and calls— had the potential to cause a drop in a worker’s IQ by an average of 10 points.
Not only is multitasking a myth, but we become less productive individuals and make less of an impact in our work when we try to get too many things done in too little time.
Simplify Your Focus
The solution to the habit of multi-tasking is simple, yet requires awareness, intention, and practice. This is why the second fundamental of The ASCEND Method™ encourages us to embrace the power of single-tasking and to simply our focus. This really does require the “undoing” of a habit that is not serving us (multi-tasking) and learning to flex a new muscle; uni-tasking. The good news is, there are countless strategies that can be adopted to strengthen our ability to focus longer & deeper, and countless opportunities throughout each day to take back control of our focus.
Consider these strategies below which have had the greatest ROI not only in my personal experience but for many of my clients who lead teams and organizations:
Time Blocking: By dedicating specific times to specific tasks, we can reclaim the ability to concentrate. Time blocking isn’t just a scheduling exercise; it’s about truly committing to one task at a time and challenging ourselves to see it through to completion before allowing ourselves to move on to the next activity.
Using a Timer: To stay committed to the time block and task at hand, set a timer for each task! This low-tech, simple tool can help you stay focused by serving as a visual reminder of the task you are committed to. It also provides a clear signal when it is time to take a break or move on, which can boost productivity and reduce fatigue.
Closing Unnecessary Tabs: Each open tab is a potential distraction! By having access only to the information you need for the current task at hand [which is typically only 1-2 tabs on your browser] you minimize the potential of your attention being pulled away and therefore reduce the likeliness of switching tasks unnecessarily -and often unintentionally!
Technology Tools: Use apps and settings that reduce the distraction of notifications. Create time limits for social apps like Facebook and Instagram. Turn off pop-up notifications to minimize technology interruptions. Consider using apps like Forest and Freedom which provide even more constraints and can gamify your quest to improve your ability to focus.
Eliminate Devices: When possible, leave devices like smartphones and smartwatches in another room or turn them off during focused work sessions. Out of sight, out of mind helps keep distractions at bay. Of course you knew this already…but when was the last time you actually implemented this strategy?
Set Intentions: Before beginning any task, clarify what you want to achieve. Speak it out loud, write it down in your planner/on a post-it note, or even better communicate to a colleague what your specific goal is for the next 30 or 60 minutes. This practice sets a purposeful tone for your work and aligns your actions with your goals and taps into the power of positive accountability.
Looking Ahead
By simplifying your focus, you’re not only enhancing your immediate productivity; you’re also setting the stage for more meaningful engagement and success in every aspect of your life. Understanding and implementing these strategies allows you to leverage the areas in your environment, your workplace, and your life where you have the greatest levels of control.
As we continue to explore The ASCEND Method™, we will build upon these first two fundamentals to help you master the art of productivity in this always-on world. Check back for next month’s blog, and don’t forget to follow Peak Productivity on LinkedIn for weekly inspiration, motivation, and additional resources to achieve your peak potential!
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