There’s one big thing that’s killing our ability to focus and give our work the attention it requires: digital distraction — the overwhelming bombardment of text messages, emails, pop-ups, news feeds, and updates from which it is almost impossible to hide.
That’s a big problem, especially if you work in a profession like the law where just one mistake on a crucial filing could have serious consequences.
However, if you can break out of this so-called “digital haze” then the benefits for both you and your firm could be enormous. Regain the ability to concentrate and give tasks the focus they require, and you’ll quickly find that both you and your colleagues can accomplish more.
Avoiding distractions is easier said than done, though. Here are 10 practical and actionable tips to get you started on the path to distraction-free productivity.
1. Write to-do lists
The key to a good to-do list is to avoid filling a page with every conceivable task you can think of. Instead, keep it feasible. The best to-do lists focus in on a few important tasks and rank order them in terms of “must do,” “should do,” and “could do.” Remember, too, to separate projects from tasks – your to-do list should have short, specific items that are achievable in a day.
2. Schedule time to work
Usually, we use our calendar to organize meetings and other events. Few people use it to block out periods of time to focus on critical tasks and to indicate to others that they’d prefer not to be disturbed during these times. You’re far better at focusing on complex, cognitively intensive tasks in the morning, so try to push meetings into the afternoon.
3. Exercise
Researchers are showing that physical activity can have profound effects on your brain. Even small amounts of exercise during the day, such as a lunchtime walk or a short stretching session, can boost memory, improve concentration, and even enhance creativity.
4. Sleep well
If you’re regularly sleeping fewer than 7 hours a night, then the chances are that you’re more likely to make mistakes than if you were well rested. A study in a major health journal recently found that a sleepless night contributes to a 20-32 percent % increase in the number of errors made. So, focus on sleeping well to ensure that you’re on your best game during the day.
5. Tidy up
Is your workspace a mess? What about your laptop’s desktop? Your email inbox? It might seem trivial to spend time cleaning up, but there’s growing evidence that an organized work environment – both physically and digitally – is essential to your ability to focus. Try to spend a few minutes at the end of every day tidying away stationery, papers, and other desk clutter.
6. Schedule time for emails
Apparently, the average professional services office worker spends almost a third of their day reading and writing emails. Some people (perhaps you’re one of them) get hundreds of emails daily. That sort of volume requires planning to manage. Turn off the automatic email alerts and schedule specific chunks of time to read emails to avoid distraction.
7. Master your tools
Becoming familiar with the software and tools that you use every day, including learning some of the many time-saving short-cuts, can help you to achieve more during the day. Even if you’re an experienced user of tools like Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat, the chances are that there are time-saving features you’re not aware of but could be benefiting from.
8. Use anti-distraction tools
To properly focus you need to stop the barrage of alerts, beeps, bleeps and updates. To an extent, you can do this by disabling email notifications and placing your mobile phone or tablet out of sight. However, properly disconnecting may require blocking certain websites for defined periods of time.
9. Reduce background noise
Even if you didn’t get a fancy pair of sound-blocking headphones over the holidays, you can still take steps to minimize noise-based distractions. If your office is too loud, try some instrumental music (if classical music isn’t your thing, I find movie soundtracks work pretty well).
10. Pick up the slack by outsourcing some tasks
If you’re totally swamped, but not to the extent that you need to hire a new member of staff, then it’s well worth considering outsourcing options.
Richard Heinrich is senior marketing manager at One Legal Follow Richard on Twitter
Source: The Law Society
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