With abundant distractions and remote work often in makeshift office space, constant adjustments impact us from every direction. Too often we feel like the barrage is unending. What was once defined as a place to live is now also a workplace without clear boundaries. You are not alone, really, not alone in managing the demands for your attention.
According to a recent McKinsey report, 1,500 executives were asked about the way they spent their time and found that less than 10% were very satisfied, with about 1/3 actively dissatisfied.
Time evaporates without awareness. How are you spending it? Even the smallest interruptions add up. In fact, it can take up to 23 minutes to get back on task and continue. In office space, surrounded by co-workers, there may be breaks, but there is also greater accountability. People will notice if you’re not doing your job. Working from home is another story entirely. While this presents flexibility, less time commuting and greater opportunity to self-manage, this can also be a slippery slope. The anchors and time frames that may already be in place elsewhere are now up to you to create.
Revisit your calendar weekly and daily:
· Organize your day with a schedule
· When are you most productive?
· Include creative time
· Downtime
· Task accomplishments
When we build in intervals for distractions, it can help maintain focus. Whether it’s time for a walk, conversation with a colleague, or preparing a snack, the buffer you shape will be a support for renewed concentration. While there are times when deadlines are the highest priority, operating from a crisis perspective regularly is draining and inefficient. Yes, there are always matters to be managed and distinguishing what’s important vs. urgent diffuses anxiety and supports a more satisfying approach to accomplishment.
Action:
· Create a weekly plan
· Identify high energy periods
· Color code time to correspond with your stated goals
©MWeisner2022