������վ

Our attention is under assault. The Internet, smartphones and particularly social media all conspire against us to set our monkey brain aflutter. ������վ are big fans of technology, but it’s recognized that it is not a panacea. With a few tweaks in how to approach work, that distracting technology can be used to actually help tame the monkey brain and get some actual work done.

Quick Start Tips

Here are the top tips on how to remain focused for long periods of time:

1. Exercise Your Attention Muscle

Build up your attention muscles by exercising them. Mindfulness and meditation are great for this, but it doesn’t have to be this formal. It can be as simple as walking and focusing on one issue at a time.

2. You Better Recognize

Catch yourself when you are drifting off-task. Bring yourself back to what you are doing. Repeat.

3. Hack Your Nature

We are animals after all and our brain apparatus remains unchanged since our cave-dwelling days. By using carrots (rewards) or sticks (punishments), we can remain focused longer. We might as well embrace that we are motivated by seeking out pleasure and avoiding pain. Reward yourself with a special coffee when you do what you set out to do. List out all the bad things that will happen if you don’t. Whatever works!

4. Let Go

We have to intentionally let go of our focus once in a while. Let it run free. You might be surprised by what your brain can cook up on its own.

5. Find Your Flow State

Think about driving and listening to the radio. We can do these 2 things at once and find a flow state because they just fill up our attentional space. If you are doing a complex task, drop the music. If it’s more mundane, keep a part of your brain occupied or it will seek out new stimulus.

Cozy Up to Ugly Tasks

They’re always there: lingering tasks that sit in our to-do list taunting us day-in and day-out.

Proof that we are productivity wannabes, procrastinators, lollygaggers even!

Everyone has them and they usually have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Boring/not fun or engaging
• Frustrating
• Difficult
• Unstructured or ambiguous
• Lacking in personal meaning
• Lacking in intrinsic rewards

The way around these kinds of tasks is actually through them. First, evaluate why a task is being delayed, then address that characteristic.

For example if it’s:

• Boring: make a game of it.
• Frustrating or difficult: set a meeting with a buddy to talk it out.
• Unstructured: identify step 1 and give yourself 15 minutes to get the ball rolling.
• Lacking in personal meaning: give yourself a reward for completing it.

Overall, one of the best ways to power through a crumby task is to just get started. By booking a meeting with an accountabilibuddy and identifying step 1 or just committing to work 15 minutes on it, you’ll likely find that the task is not as unseemly as it first appeared.

BEWARE: The Internet

The Internet is an amazing tool. It allows us to establish ourselves. Working from home (or anywhere) and being thousands of miles from our clients and co-workers all while getting so much accomplished is great. But the same thing that benefits us so much is also the world’s biggest candy shop. How does productivity stand a chance when “Seagulls, Stop It Now!” is a mere click away.
Some tips for keeping the Internet at bay:

• Understand that your brain is going to move towards novelty when your task gets hard
• Use a site blocker to prevent your lizard mind from winning. Place your top time wasters on your blocked list
• Block off some time to run wild on the Internet to satisfy your need for novelty

Your monkey brain is always ready to derail your big productivity plans, so set yourself up for the best chance of success. Link your tasks to your goals to set your daily priorities, find a system that keeps track of EVERYTHING (more on that coming up) and reflect on the things you accomplish and those you don’t. It’ll either be a pat on the back or a “do better next time” but those few minutes will quickly help you figure out if you’ve got this focus thing nailed or if you’ve still got some work to do.

For more information on how to better manage your attention and be more productive. Download our . It’s only a click away.