Finding focus in a world full of distractions

The Earth has been rotating at a nearly constant speed for several billion years. Despite this, the concept of Time (years, months, hours, and minutes) was created by the human species between 5,000 and 2,000 B.C. Since then, society has been accelerating its way of life. The most direct consequence of this acceleration is the technological evolution, with a very pronounced exponential increase after the industrial revolution.

Currently, it is difficult to maintain focus in the fast-paced world we live in. Every day we deal with globally updated news every second, we are informed of everything that happens immediately, social media bombards users with infinite content and we communicate to any part of the world at an unprecedented speed. Everything happens very quickly and there is no patience to wait. With all the advantages that this technological evolution brings us, there remains a challenge to solve: how to achieve focus in a world full of distractions?

If you don't have a good concentration strategy, it's hard to maintain productivity levels. It's very tempting to interrupt work to check emails, look at whatsapp groups, open Twitter and Instagram, or go get a coffee and end the day without having produced much.

Here are some tips to help you stay focused at work and avoid being absorbed by distractions!

1 - Note the commitments

 It may seem like a simple step, but it is the beginning of the concentration process. By writing down the tasks you have to do in a day or week, you are making a commitment and you will feel more obliged to fulfill the list. No matter how small or insignificant it may be, write. If you don't even bother to fill in the agenda, you are most likely to end up procrastinating.

2 - Define realistic objectives

 When writing your goals, try to make them as realistic as possible. It's not about setting easy targets but rather achievable ones. The fact that you can't complete the stipulated tasks can lead to accumulated frustration and decrease your productivity. Good mental stability is essential to maintain focus.

3 - Breaks

Working for hours on end can become unproductive. Knowing when to stop and for how long is crucial for a good work routine.

There are different methods of pacing work, and each person should choose the one that works best for them.

An example of one of these strategies is the Pomodoro technique. The goal is to maintain focus, without interruptions, for 25 minutes and take a break for 5 minutes. After 4 cycles, take a longer break of 30 minutes. You will notice that during the work periods, you have great peaks of concentration.

4 - Time for everything 

Finally, try to make time for everything you enjoy and need to do. If you start the day with anxiety, knowing that you don't have time, you will probably try to accomplish several tasks at the same time - multitasking. This phenomenon divides your attention among the various things you are doing, being counterproductive. A good night's sleep is essential for having a productive and rewarding day.

In the midst of your routine, find leisure time to dedicate yourself to what you enjoy - watching a movie, playing sports, or reading! It is essential to set aside a few hours for these activities. When you feel that there is a time of day for each thing, it will be easier to maintain focus on each one individually, without trying to rush through commitments!