How to Pay ‘Complete Attention’ at Work?

To focus your attention every time: to ask a question, undertake a task, make a decision or talk to a colleague, you will use a considerable amount of your precious energy. The studies conducted by various renowned scientists have showed that every task that you perform will decrease your effectiveness for the next task, especially for tasks which require a huge amount of energy such as decision making or self control. The author of the book ‘In Your Brain at Work’, David Rock, describes how attention when divided continuously, will drain your productivity.

Working and living in a constantly connected world will definitely decrease your performance at the workplace because you are suffering from interruptions that are never ending. I have listed a few methods for complete attention at the workplace. You will need three basic things: determination, headphones and some time to plan your day.

Instructions:

1.  Tonight itself, you plan for the next day. Create a list of tasks for the next day either on paper or in your mind. Allow your mind to go through the task list once in the evening and thereby, your subconscious mind will prepare you properly for the tasks lying ahead. Keep goals which are well defined for your day at work and split your tasks into smaller, easier ones. It will help you in focusing and also gives clarity to your tasks. Always determine the priority of your goals based on the importance of the task. 2.  Restrict your personal issues to a particular time. Make sure you don’t allow your personal life to enter into your professional life and disturb you. In case you have to make an appointment with the doctor or pay the cable bill during your office hours, then you are wasting your precious energy which will decrease the effectiveness of your work. These matters should be completed during the break or after your office hours.

3.  As soon as you enter the office, start off with your work. Since you have entered the office with fresh goals for the day in your mind, start with the most difficult tasks immediately. You are fresh and your attention level is at its peak. Keep the monotonous, boring tasks for the later half of the day when you will be tired and can not be fully attentive.

4.  Avoid checking your personal mails in the morning and waste your precious twenty minutes of time in which your performance will be at its highest. Similar procedure applies to ‘IMing’. Change your status to ‘busy’ or ‘away’ and claim the respect of your colleagues. By doing this, you can do some quality work as soon as you walk into the office.

5.  Make some time to chat with your colleagues. Most of the co-workers will be interested only in their salary. They are not bothered about their performance. If you are concerned about your performance, then make them feel that you are ready to work with them together at specific timings. This will reduce the interruptions and you can work peacefully.

6.  Clean your desk because a dirty desk will tend to distract you. Filtering the post-its, files and papers is not good for your attention which is limited. Place all the objects that you need for that day close to you. Have a detailed look at all the stray and loose papers on your desk every day after office hours and clear those which are unnecessary. Also, close the programs or tabs on the desktop which you are not currently using since it can reduce or distract your attention.

7.  Listen to the type of music which suits your brain. Some people can work more effectively with little music. At times, you can just put on your headphones without putting your music, which is quite effective in eliminating distractions. Websites which play white noise are also available to wipe out unwanted distractions.

8.  Modify your attitude. Always bear in mind that your workplace is bound to have the daily annoyances and distractions. Plan your day’s tasks accurately, which will reduce the distractions and hence, you can be totally attentive.

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