For those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, keeping themselves focused and efficient in their jobs can be very difficult. The distractibility, restlessness, and limited attention span can have severe effects on how a person performs at work. If you have this condition, you may of course rely on medication. But there are certain things you could also do to boost your concentration at work so you may be more productive. Having life coaching sessions with an expert could truly help as well.
Here are some tips on how you can stay focused at work:
1. Prioritize tasks
An effective way of becoming more efficient at work is to know your priorities. Tackle the more important tasks first and take care of the less urgent things until later. Keep a list of your responsibilities along with their corresponding deadlines. This will help you stay on track when it comes to completing your assignments.
2. Set a specific time to read emails
Staying focused on what you are currently doing can be difficult if there is a continuous flow of emails you have to read and respond to. Thus, it is recommended that you set a particular time or times of the day when you are going to read emails. This will prevent you from being distracted every time there is an incoming email.
3. Stay away from other ‘attention-grabbers’
There are so many distractions at work – the internet, voice mails, and even chats with your coworkers. It is important that you be aware of the amount of time doing engaging in such activities could use up. Turning off your computer when it is not in use is a good way of avoiding the temptation of using the internet. It would help also if you can turn off your mobile phone during work hours. Like reading emails, you may set specific times to check your phone and reply to messages or phone calls.
4. Make your tasks more manageable
If it’s starting to feel like you have so much more to do than you can handle, it could be because you are trying to do things all at the same time. If you want to be able to work without worrying that there are many other things you should do, then you have to break your tasks into smaller ones, just so they will be more manageable.
5. Your location matters
If you’re planning to work in the library today, and in a coffee shop tomorrow, you are setting yourself up for various distractions. If you want to be more efficient at work, you must make it a habit to work in the same place. This will help your mind get used to the place you’re working at, and will make it easier for you to turn on your ‘work mode’.
6. Work somewhere quiet
Ideally, you should be at an office with a door that you can close so you can have some privacy. The trend today, however, is to use cubicles instead. If you don’t have a choice but to share your space with another worker, ask if you could have someone who won’t do much phone work. You would certainly appreciate being with someone who does not have to talk all the time.
7. Keep work space clutter away
Generally speaking, a clean and organized workplace helps improve one’s concentration and focus. Make it a habit to de-clutter your desk, but try not to do it on a day when you have a lot of tasks to accomplish.
8. Keep a routine
Doing something regularly increases the chances of it becoming a routine. And having a routine is an excellent way of making things easier to do.
Staying focused and productive at work is a challenge all of us are facing. If you are always distracted and you do nothing about it, you risk losing your job and getting derailed in your career. A life coaching program will be beneficial to you as you find ways to be a more effective individual and worker.
Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Centre, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.