Mr Jejelaiyegba had so many tasks he wanted to do yet his phone kept buzzing with messages from his various social media accounts. He picked up his phone to attend to those messages and by the time he checked the time, it was already past 6pm. He had spent over three hours replying to messages and left his task unattended to. He dropped his phone on the table and punched the wall angrily. This had been going on for the past one month. He had been unable to complete his tasks for each day and he kept rolling them over till the following day. Now, he has lots of tasks unattended to. He left his office and went to his friend's office. His friend was packing his stuffs ready to go home. He sat in the swivel chair in front of the table. His friend stopped packing and raised his brows.
'I am frustrated! I keep piling up tasks, yet l’m unable to finish them' he said. His friend let out a loud laugh and continued packing.
'I am not joking. I am serious and I think I need help.
'I know you're not joking. See, I was once in your shoes. I couldn't stay focused. I was always distracted until I decided to take the bull by the horns' He slung his backpack over his shoulder and picked up his car keys from the table.
'So how did you overcome it? Tell me before you leave' He stood up from the chair!'I will tell you tomorrow during lunch break. I'm late. I have to be somewhere by 6pm. See you tomorrow.
'Alright. I will be waiting.
The world is becoming so fast-paced that it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay focused. Elements of distractions litter everywhere from social media notifications to email alerts. Our attention is constantly divided between so many irrelevant things, thereby, making it difficult for us to stay focused on the most important task. However, to achieve success in our personal and professional lives, we need to avoid distraction and stay focused. In this article, we will explore strategies for staying focused in the midst of distractions.
1. Prioritize Tasks: One of the most effective ways to avoid distractions is to prioritize your tasks. Make a to-do list and rank your tasks in order of priority. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first before moving on to less important ones. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting distracted by less urgent tasks.
2. Set Specific Goals: Setting specific goals can help you stay focused and avoid distractions. Break down your tasks into smaller, manageable goals and set deadlines for each one. This will give you a clear roadmap of what you need to do and help you avoid getting distracted by unrelated and unimportant tasks.
3. Make your workspace distraction-free: Create a workspace that is free from distractions. This could mean turning off social media notifications on your phone, closing unnecessary tabs on your computer, or working in a quiet environment. This enables you to stay focused on the task at hand and avoid getting distracted.
4. Practice Time Blocking: Time blocking is a technique where you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks. By setting aside dedicated time for work, you can avoid distractions and stay focused on the task at hand. Use a calendar or planner to allocate time for different tasks throughout the day.
5. Take Breaks in-between: Taking regular breaks can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to relax and recharge. During these breaks, do something relaxing, such as going for a walk or practicing deep breathing exercises or watching a movie or reading a novel.
6. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on the task at hand. By practicing mindfulness, you can train your mind to stay focused and avoid distractions. Try techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualization to help you stay present and focused on your work.
7. Reduce the way you multitask: Multitasking can actually be counterproductive and lead to more distractions. Instead of trying to engage in multiple tasks at once, focus on one task at a time. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed by the multiple tasks you need to accomplish.
8. Learn to Say No: Sometimes distractions come in the form of requests from others. Learn to set boundaries and say no to tasks or activities that are not aligned with your goals. By prioritizing your own tasks and goals, you can avoid distractions from outside sources.
Although it is becoming difficult to stay focused on a particular task, nevertheless, distractions could also be as a result of some health conditions. It is essential we seek professional help where it is necessary to stay focused if we want to live productive personal and professional lives. Stay focused!!
NB We are bio individuals which is to say not all size fits all. Prioritizing yourself and your journey with the support and guidance of a health coach will further help in your progress and such a person would be able to get detailed information about themselves that could facilitate results.
