How to Stay Focused at Work: 6 Tips for Focusing

Focus is the ability to train your attention on the task or activity at hand and resist distractions. Focus can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced, hyper-connected world, but it is a skill that you can develop over time. Being able to focus can boost productivity, alleviate stress, and allow you to be more attentive to others’ emotions, leading to an overall better quality of life.

There are a few ways in which employees can strengthen their attention span and reduce procrastination during work hours:

1. 1. Create a time management system. Use a calendar to plan meetings and schedule notifications to let you know when those meetings are coming up to keep you on track and aware of your workday’s various checkpoints. You can also follow the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that breaks tasks into reasonable chunks and rewards you with regular breaks.
2. 2. Carve out time in your day for deep work. Block off a set amount of time on your calendar to dive more intentionally into projects, respond to phone calls, and catch up on work. Get more done by reserving quiet time away in the conference room or elsewhere in the building, and pause notifications for communication platforms to let others know you are busy brainstorming or working.
3. 3. Speak to your supervisors. If external factors such as work stress or employee behavior affect your performance, speak with supervisors or HR representatives. Managers should support proactivity and give you the tools you need to succeed.

In prioritizing mental health, employees can take care of their well-being and strengthen their focus at work.

1. 1. Get a good night’s sleep. Relax at the end of the day with an evening walk, an engaging podcast, and fun hobbies or activities. Step away from work, drink lots of water, and get quality sleep so you can come into the next day feeling fresh and alert.
2. 2. Relax during your commute. Your commute does not have to be part of your work life. If you rely on public transit, use your commute time to rest, journal, read, or listen to music. This will ensure you remain at ease before starting your day when you arrive at work. Carve out personal time before the work day begins if you work remotely.
3. 3. Use your lunch break. Spending all day at your desk and skipping meals can lead to burnout. Pick a time of day when you can stick to lunch and schedule other work around it, so you don’t miss meals and downtime.
4. 4. Take regular breaks. In addition to lunch, taking short breaks throughout the day can help relieve stress, center your breathing, and rejuvenate your energy levels. Schedule five-minute breaks throughout the day for snacks, socialization, and time away from your desk to remain focused and productive.
5. 5. Block out excess noise. Rely on noise-canceling headphones or work in a quieter office to limit distractions. If you have your own office, create an open-door policy where an open doors invite coworkers in but a closed door signals you are busy at work.
6. 6. Rid your browser of distracting websites. You can rely on apps to block off distracting gaming and social media websites so you can focus on work.

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