Feeling Distracted? How to Regain Your Focus at Work

By May 9, 2019For Talent

If you’re reading this article during work hours, chances are you’re probably a little distracted.

Don’t get me wrong, a little bit of daydreaming and mindless scrolling can be a good thing. In fact, research has shown that in an eight-hour day, the average worker is only productive for two hours and 53 minutes which leaves plenty of time for procrastinating. 

But what happens when you simply can’t regain your focus? Distraction can stem from lots of different things, low job satisfaction, personal issues or sometimes just plain boredom. However, if you want to keep your job you need to learn how to overcome it. Here are some easy tips.

Take regular breaks

Contrary to popular opinion, taking intentional work breaks actually helps boost productivity and focus. During your work day take multiple five-minute breaks. Take a walk outside, grab a coffee or simply shut your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Taking these little pauses throughout the day can help you reset while at work.

Drink up

Drinking water isn’t just good for your body, it also helps you to maintain your focus. When we’re dehydrated it’s much harder to concentrate on tasks. Combat this by investing in a good quality reusable water bottle. Fill it up regularly and reap the benefits.

Sign out of social media on your work computer

Social media can act like a giant black hole. You might log in to check your messages but before you know it you’ve spent 30 minutes watching cute videos of a dog playing the piano (we can’t say we blame you). Remove this distraction by signing out of social media on your work laptop. You can check in when you’re on your break.

Stop procrastinating

We all procrastinate. We tell ourselves that we will reply to that snarky email later and we delay starting that important project until Monday morning. The easiest way to stop yourself from procrastinating is to start timeboxing tasks. Every evening write a to-do list for the following day. Set times for each of the tasks and stick to them. You’ll soon become a pro at getting things done.

Tidy up your workspace

If you want to organise your thoughts you need a work environment that supports this kind of clarity. Get rid of desktop clutter and organise your laptop files into clear folders. Remove anything that might be a distraction. You don’t need to bin all your belongings, simply put them in a drawer or storage box under your desk. A tidy workspace= a tidy mind.

Catch up on some Zzzs

The connection between a well-rested brain and greater mental focus is real. If you want to perform at your best then you will need to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. While some people feel fine after 6 hours of sleep, other people need more. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Find a new role today. 

Author Alice Murray

Alice Murray is a Content Creator at Jobbio with a passion for Employer Branding and Graduate Culture. She's a keen traveller and a self-proclaimed lazy runner.

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