We live in an accelerated reality, shaped by the rhythms of technology. At every moment, we have notifications on our cell phones, messages on different platforms, emails and, sometimes, imagine!, our cell phones even ring and we have to answer one call or another. Or video call.
In this context, we often hear the value of multitasking as an important skill to be mastered.
I couldn’t be more… in disagreement.
I think multitasking is overrated. Wrongly overvalued.
And if the argument against the tyranny of multitasking is not the defense of the quality of results, let it at least be this:
the joy,
the pleasure
and satisfaction
to fully engage in whatever task or act lies ahead.
This involves being able to dedicate our full attention to that task, rather than being spread out over three or four at the same time.
Here are some tips to help create more focus and better manage internal and external distractions during work:
- Establish uninterrupted work breaks (for example, set 90 minutes within your most productive schedule*). This means not accepting meetings during this period, leaving your cell phone on silent, turning off notifications, and not checking email or social media.
- Create the physical conditions conducive to concentration. I need to have my desk tidy and I like to work in complete silence. There are those who work better with music. There are those who enjoy the ritual of lighting a candle. Discover and put into practice what works best for you.
- Create internal conditions conducive to concentration. The first thing I do before starting work is meditation. It helps me think more clearly. Other people need coffee or tea, go for a walk while walking the dog, go to the gym or go for a run. Discover the practices that help you lower your own internal noise and better position you to focus.
- Always start with the most important thing, with the task that will make us most satisfied with our performance: if they could only complete one task by the end of the day, what would it be? Start with this one and complete it if possible.
- Take a break between tasks. After finishing a task and before starting the next one, do a small reset. It might be time to get up and stretch a little or take a break to eat (I’m going to assume they have water next to them and are always well hydrated).
Give yourselves permission to…. have fun! Yessss. You read well. Who says we can’t have fun while fulfilling our work responsibilities? Find the challenge behind each task and have fun exploring (it’s just a matter of thinking, right?) Go for it!
* If you don’t know exactly what your most productive schedule is, know that it is associated with your circadian profile or chronotype, and you can discover it in several free tests available online.
Training mindfulness is something we can all do and is one component of the intervention I created to help organizations create work cultures that promote greater well-being.
The culture of organizations can contribute to perpetuating distractions or, on the contrary, encouraging conditions conducive to focus. For example, researcher Leslie Perlow tested the adoption of quality, uninterrupted work schedules for three mornings a week (before 12 p.m.) in an organization. The initial increase in productivity was 47%. After implementing this internal policy, productivity rose to more than 65%.
If you want to give some thought to whether or not your workplace culture encourages focus, here’s an exercise you can do. Answer the following questions:
- Do you feel like you have control over the results of your work?
- Do they find that they are interrupted during work hours with random, unplanned requests or last-minute meetings?
Taking your answers into consideration, think of 1-2 possible solutions you can share with your team to encourage a work culture that encourages focus rather than distractions.