Let’s be real, shall we? Trying to stay focused while working from home has a plethora of challenges. It’s hard enough staying focused in the office!
Over the last few months, our work lives and home lives have merged and become one. Finding a healthy balance between the two of them has posed many problems for people. Not to mention, schools have closed, kids are home 24/7, and the cleaning never seems to end.
Photo by Ayesh Rathnayake on Unsplash
I know I personally struggle with staying focused when I do work from home. There were probably 7 unnecessary tasks done before I finally got to writing this article. The dishes in the sink and the leaves on my back patio just would not escape my mind.
I caved and did them, so now I must work.
How do we stay focused on our work without our home life interrupting our every thought?
Prioritize Your To-Do List
I’m sure you’ve heard this time and time before. If you haven’t, here’s what you do.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Before you get ready for bed, sit down each night to plan out your next day. Without thinking of priority, just write down everything that needs to get done. No matter what it is, get it down onto the paper and set it where you eat breakfast.
Our brains love feeling accomplished and checking things off a list no matter the size. Even the smallest chore has a positive impact on your brain, your mood, and how you start your day.
Before going to bed put these three tasks at the top of your list:
Photo by Yingpis Kalayom on Unsplash
- Make your bed
- Eat breakfast (skip this if you’re fasting)
- Brush your teeth
Draw a big line under #3 so that the rest of your ‘to-do’ items are under these top 3.
Seriously, that’s it. Then leave it where you eat breakfast.
Focus For The Day
The next morning, go about your morning like you normally would up until breakfast. Once you’re done eating, or ready to start working, look at your list from the night before. Numbers 1-3 are by far the easiest to accomplish first, and you may have already done so by now.
Your day has started with 3 mini victories. Yay! This will foster a sense of accomplishment and strength in your mind.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
This feeling and behavior training sets you up to be more focused and motivated for the day. You’ll even be driven to continue crossing more off your ‘to-do’ list.
Now, take a look at the remaining items under number 3.
Go through them and prioritize them by difficulty and time to complete, down to the easiest, most mundane task. Number 1 should be the most time consuming and difficult task. The last one should be the easiest and quickest to complete. This one should require little to no effort to do.
Tackle your biggest projects first. You’re more likely to get them done at the beginning of your day. If you leave them for the end, you’ll keep pushing them off to the next day. Use your motivation from numbers 1-3 to finish the big project first.
Stay Focused For 25 Minutes
You’re probably thinking, “25 minutes? How can I get anything done in 25 minutes?”
Photo by Stas Knop from Pexels
My response: “You can and you will.”
Using a timer and holding yourself accountable to focus for 25 minute periods, on one task, has two powerful effects.
- The average human can only maintain focus on one topic for about 25 minutes. Then you take a 5-minute break to recharge and refocus. This allows you to be better focused and productive for the next round of 25 minutes and so on. Ideally, you want to capitalize on those 25 minutes you that you CAN focus on.
- Creating a ‘deadline’ for yourself will stimulate you to work on that one job quicker and more efficiently. Even if you don’t finish that round, apply the same mentality the next round, or move to another job.
I don’t expect you to finish each task in 25 minutes and neither should you.
What you should see is an increase in productivity and your ability to stay focused.
At the end of each 25 minute round take a 5-minute break.
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
Completely separate yourself from that task, walk away, stretch, or use the restroom. Then come back and either work on it more or go on to the next item. Stepping away helps your brain to take a break. This way you’re ready for the next round.
Repeat this method throughout the day. I like to take longer breaks once I’ve completed my fourth and eighth rounds. Make those breaks long enough to grab a snack, run a quick errand, or eat lunch.
**Helpful tip: If you’re someone who struggles to drink enough water in a day, try drinking ½ or 1cup each round. This will help to reinforce better drinking habits daily.**
How I Stay Focused
Below is a rough outline of how I use this method for my typical day. Feel free to copy it or use it as a flexible blueprint.
(4:30-5) Breakfast/yoga/stretch
(5-5:30) Plan my day and prioritize my ‘to-do’ list
(6-8 am) Gym
(8-9 am) Home to shower and eat
(9-9:30) Round 1
(9:30-10) Round 2
(10-10:30) Round 3
(10:30-11) Round 4
(11-11:30) Lunch
(11:30- 12) Round 5
(12-12:30) Round 6
(12:30-1) Round 7
(1-1:30) Round 8
(1:30-2) Second Lunch
You can either continue the pattern until 4 pm or end your workday here. If I continue the method until 4 pm, I will usually spend from 4-5 pm online doing work on my social media platforms or responding to emails.
Doing this allows me to keep my social profiles engaged at peak hours. It also lets me respond to emails within the same business day or day after. I also don’t have to worry about becoming distracted away from my work because it’s done for the day.
Hopefully, this method improves your work and home balance so you can cross off that ‘to-do’ list.
Let me know what tips and tricks worked for you in the comments below. You can also email them directly to noah@bodybybernard.com
Want to Know More?
Are you looking for new and healthy alternatives to recharge your mood, enhance your focus, and boost your daily productivity?
Have you tried coffee, energy drinks, or other supplements that you can’t even pronounce the ingredients of?
Photo by YesManProductions
Proper time management coupled with a well-rounded diet will leave you feeling recharged mentally, physically, and sexually.
If you’re looking for more information on how to enhance your diet or other unique ways to jumpstart your libido let’s chat!
Sign-up here and we can discuss in private either your fitness goals, self-esteem goals, and even your bedroom goals 😉
Take advantage of this FREE 30-minute health assessment while it lasts!
noah.bernard
Latest posts by noah.bernard (see all)
- My First Time Sounding - January 7, 2022