Focus your attention to achieve the results you want.
Focus can be a challenge, and there’s a good reason why. Scientists discovered that the brain receives 400 billion bits of information each second. Our brain then condenses the 400 billion bits of information down to 2,000 bits. What we choose to focus on is only one-half of one-millionth of a percent of what’s out there.
Are you focusing on the right bits of information? Or do you check Facebook, email, and spend your energy on other distractors?
Attention is a limited resource.
Your brain uses a lot of glucose and other metabolic resources every time you focus on higher-level tasks, like problem solving and decision-making. Don’t waste your energy on distractions.
Do This.
- To accomplish what’s important, block a short amount of time to work on a specific task. The brain can only focus on a limited amount of information for a limited amount of time.
- Put a sign on your door or cubicle that you are not to be disturbed until a specific time. You want to explain this to your colleagues ahead of time, so there’s no confusion or conflicts about your new habit.
- Turn off all buzzing things (phone, computer, etc.).
- Set a timer. When the timer goes off, go outside and walk for five minutes. Your brain needs a breather.
- Start small: focus on one task for fifteen minutes. Turn off email, social media, phone, and any other distractions. Close your door if you have one.Do this once a day for five days. Increase it to thirty minutes the next week.
Before you know it, you will accomplish the tasks that get you the results you want.
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Focus your attention on what’s important and ignore the rest.
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