Are you having trouble staying focused at work? When we aren’t in a mindful state at work, it not only hinders our productivity, but can also cause a state of stress, chaos and feelings of overwhelm by the responsibilities of the day.
We’ve all been there before. We spend most of the day staring at a computer screen, not particularly focused, and all of a sudden you realize that most of the day has gone by. You still have a ton of work to do and you now must scramble to meet your daily deadlines and get everything done before the clock hits five.
This happens to all of us—and when it does it is because we aren’t being mindful when we are at work and we aren’t being responsible for how we spend out time.
Positive energy can help you stay focused and enjoy a better work experience.
After all, you spend (at least) 1/3 of your life at work—it should be a positive experience, no matter how difficult your boss is. Consider these helpful mindful tips that can help you stay more focused (and productive) at work—we think you will like the results.
Start Your Mornings Off On a Positive Note
Let’s be honest, mornings can be tough on anyone, especially at work. But if you are able to start your day off on a positive note, the rest of the work day will follow and you will find your are more positive, more focused and more mindful of what you are actually doing at work.
Start your day off with a mantra that you say to yourself every morning. Write out your mantra and put it by your bedside table for when you wake up in the morning, by your car before you commute or on your desk at the office so you can begin your day with the mantra first thing in the morning. It doesn’t matter what the mantra is, or how long it is, it just has to be positive and encouraging.
Trust me, it can really get you “amped up” to make your day successful.
Don’t Focus on the Office, Until You Get in To The Office
Many times, people will wake up in a rush and spend their entire morning quickly going through the motions of their morning routine, with their minds focused on the stress of the office and all they will have to do that day. This is very normal and something that many of us do in the mornings.
However, this isn’t preparing for your day at work. This is you allowing yourself to get overly stressed out and anxious about what you have ahead of you. Don’t focus on work until you get inside the office.
Be present in your morning. Be mindful of what you are doing. Focus on your routine and the time that you have in the morning alone or with your family, and then deal with work once you get inside the office door.
Meditate Before You Get Into the Office
This is something that I talk about a great deal and something that I will always advise you to do… meditate, meditate, meditate. If you want to be more focused during the day at work, then you need to put yourself in the right mindset.
Think of this as warming up before a big workout.
If you meditate for 15-20 minutes before you go into work, you are warming up your brain to be more mindful. You are setting a different tone for the day ahead and preparing your brain to be more mindful of the work you have ahead of you.
Focus On One Thing At a Time
This is another tip that I give out often, but one that is worth repeating; stop multi-tasking. If you want to be more focused at work and want to feel like you are getting more done then start focusing on one thing at a time.
Stop multi-tasking.
Even if you think you can multi-task, don’t do it. You can really only do one thing at a time. So make a list of all of the individual things that you need to get done during your day and cross them off as you complete them one-by-one.
When you are doing a task, don’t think about what is next, or about the list at all—keep all of your attention on the one thing in front of you and the one thing that you need to get done to cross it off the list.
What happens if you are interrupted and have to do something else?
Stop what you are doing, do the entire new task. Complete it, and then return to what you were doing before. You need to stay focused no matter what comes your way.
Take a Physical and Mental Break
If you are able to, take a physical and mental break from your work in the middle of the day. This can be a mid-morning break, or at lunch. Just physically remove yourself from your office and let your mind take a break as well.
You need to physically leave your job behind, even if it is for a few moments—and even if you are just walking around the corner and back. You need to give your brain the opportunity to rest and recharge, so you can emerge ready to refocus.
These mental breaks are so important and by physically leaving your office space, it is typically easier for your mind to check out as well.
Take-aways
No matter what you do for a living, there are going to be situations where you feel stressed and overwhelmed at work. There will be times when you aren’t getting enough done, and times where you feel like you aren’t being as focused as you should be.
However, if you keep these mindful tips in mind to help you stay more focused, you will be better equipped to handle the day, no matter what work stressors come your way.
The Mindful Method of Staying Focused At Work
Are you having trouble staying focused at work? When we aren’t in a mindful state at work, it not only hinders our productivity, but can also cause a state of stress, chaos and feelings of overwhelm by the responsibilities of the day.
We’ve all been there before. We spend most of the day staring at a computer screen, not particularly focused, and all of a sudden you realize that most of the day has gone by. You still have a ton of work to do and you now must scramble to meet your daily deadlines and get everything done before the clock hits five.
This happens to all of us—and when it does it is because we aren’t being mindful when we are at work and we aren’t being responsible for how we spend out time.
Positive energy can help you stay focused and enjoy a better work experience.
After all, you spend (at least) 1/3 of your life at work—it should be a positive experience, no matter how difficult your boss is. Consider these helpful mindful tips that can help you stay more focused (and productive) at work—we think you will like the results.
Start Your Mornings Off On a Positive Note
Let’s be honest, mornings can be tough on anyone, especially at work. But if you are able to start your day off on a positive note, the rest of the work day will follow and you will find your are more positive, more focused and more mindful of what you are actually doing at work.
Start your day off with a mantra that you say to yourself every morning. Write out your mantra and put it by your bedside table for when you wake up in the morning, by your car before you commute or on your desk at the office so you can begin your day with the mantra first thing in the morning. It doesn’t matter what the mantra is, or how long it is, it just has to be positive and encouraging.
Trust me, it can really get you “amped up” to make your day successful.
Don’t Focus on the Office, Until You Get in To The Office
Many times, people will wake up in a rush and spend their entire morning quickly going through the motions of their morning routine, with their minds focused on the stress of the office and all they will have to do that day. This is very normal and something that many of us do in the mornings.
However, this isn’t preparing for your day at work. This is you allowing yourself to get overly stressed out and anxious about what you have ahead of you. Don’t focus on work until you get inside the office.
Be present in your morning. Be mindful of what you are doing. Focus on your routine and the time that you have in the morning alone or with your family, and then deal with work once you get inside the office door.
Meditate Before You Get Into the Office
This is something that I talk about a great deal and something that I will always advise you to do… meditate, meditate, meditate. If you want to be more focused during the day at work, then you need to put yourself in the right mindset.
Think of this as warming up before a big workout.
If you meditate for 15-20 minutes before you go into work, you are warming up your brain to be more mindful. You are setting a different tone for the day ahead and preparing your brain to be more mindful of the work you have ahead of you.
Focus On One Thing At a Time
This is another tip that I give out often, but one that is worth repeating; stop multi-tasking. If you want to be more focused at work and want to feel like you are getting more done then start focusing on one thing at a time.
Stop multi-tasking.
Even if you think you can multi-task, don’t do it. You can really only do one thing at a time. So make a list of all of the individual things that you need to get done during your day and cross them off as you complete them one-by-one.
When you are doing a task, don’t think about what is next, or about the list at all—keep all of your attention on the one thing in front of you and the one thing that you need to get done to cross it off the list.
What happens if you are interrupted and have to do something else?
Stop what you are doing, do the entire new task. Complete it, and then return to what you were doing before. You need to stay focused no matter what comes your way.
Take a Physical and Mental Break
If you are able to, take a physical and mental break from your work in the middle of the day. This can be a mid-morning break, or at lunch. Just physically remove yourself from your office and let your mind take a break as well.
You need to physically leave your job behind, even if it is for a few moments—and even if you are just walking around the corner and back. You need to give your brain the opportunity to rest and recharge, so you can emerge ready to refocus.
These mental breaks are so important and by physically leaving your office space, it is typically easier for your mind to check out as well.
Take-aways
No matter what you do for a living, there are going to be situations where you feel stressed and overwhelmed at work. There will be times when you aren’t getting enough done, and times where you feel like you aren’t being as focused as you should be.
However, if you keep these mindful tips in mind to help you stay more focused, you will be better equipped to handle the day, no matter what work stressors come your way.
Dhaval Patel
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