Increasing Productivity and Focus: Building an Environment for Success
A common theme I’ve noticed lately with my career coaching clients is challenges with productivity and focus. A lot of people approach this problem by asking the question: how can I be more productive at work? But I think a better question to ask yourself is: how can I create an environment where I can thrive at work?
Creating an environment where we can thrive both at work starts both in and outside of work.
There are so many layers to this but these are 3 key areas I recommend looking at first.
Managing interruptions. Are you giving yourself a fair shot at accomplishing tasks? Or are you being inundated with emails, messages, texts, phone calls in real time. I completely understand the need to be available to your team, but it doesn’t need to be at the expense of your attention and focus. When our attention is half in half out, when we’re starting and stopping, or when we’re anticipating interruption, this will inevitably decrease our productivity. Be intentional about when you’re accomplishing tasks, when you’re checking emails, and when you’re taking breaks and I promise you you will work more effectively.
Optimizing Stress. A little bit of stress can be helpful in staying motivated, but when stress goes over that optimal threshold it can impact our ability to think clearly, stay focused, make decisions, and think creatively. I think many people are operating at higher than optimal stress levels so here are a few tools I recommend:
Deep breaths several times a day. Try box breathing - inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for breathing in for 4 counts, and hold at the bottom of the exhale for 4 counts. This will help switch on your parasympathetic nervous system - responsible for your rest and digest mechanism.
Moving during the day whether that’s walking outside, getting up for water, to chat with a colleague, or switching up your sitting meeting to walking meeting.
If your to-do list is not achievable, re-negotiate your to-do list with yourself or with your team. Here is a great tool to re-prioritize your to-do list which will put your back in the driver’s seat at work.
3. Brain Care: It’s not only what’s happening at work that impacts productivity, but also what you do outside of work. Here’s a
few things you can focus on outside of work that are rooted in science to help you thrive.
Sleep. Improve the quality of your sleep and you will also improve your focus, your ability to make decisions, think creatively, remember important things, etc.
Movement. Movement can improve sleep, it can promote vitality/energy, and it also improves task focus.
Reading. Replace your phone (especially late at night or first thing in the morning with a book. Reading has been shown to increase productivity, focus, memory, and it’s also a great way to reduce stress.
Okay I want you to spend the next 2 minutes writing down what you’re taking away from this article? How would you like to implement what you’ve learned about or been reminded of?
And finally - if you find yourself in need of support in creating an environment where you can truly thrive, I'm here to help. As a life and career coach, my mission is to help individuals like you flourish in both their professional and personal life. I offer a free initial conversation where you can learn more about coaching. Book a consultation here. I’m Kelowna based, but am able to work with clients globally.
