Changing Focus -- AGAIN
This week I made a conscientious decision to pay attention to the amount of times I change focus during the course of a workday. My logic was if I announced to myself - OUT LOUD- that I was "changing focus," I could better manage my distractions. After all, awareness precedes choice and choice precedes change, so the goal was better awareness. I'm happy to say, I'm now fully aware that my ability to focus is not a pretty picture.
I'm not surprised at how often I repeated "changing focus," but what did surprise me was how disconnected my attention was with my circumstances. I can be distracted when I'm with people, or by myself. I can be distracted by electronic devices or old fashioned things like newspapers. My attention drifts when I'm hungry or too full. Whether the room is quiet or noisy, I can find a way to bounce around.
In other words, I'm an equal opportunity daydreamer.
But not all of the time. That's part of my problem. My attention doesn't seem to be linked as closely to my environment as I had imagined. There has to be some other factor at play.
Because sometimes, many times, I am tremendously productive. Can you relate to having both sides of the equation be true?
Do you ever feel as though nothing can throw you off course? Are there moments where your focus skills are ninja-like and you can't be denied the finish line?
Why the dueling tendencies? How do you find the sparks for the productive side and deny the mind-wandering side?
My suspicions are still developing around distraction triggers, but already I know at least two "choices" I need to make if I'm going to improve.
1. Clarify the win
Motivation and focus is a by-product of an overwhelming sense that the work matters. When you know that your effort makes a difference, no matter how small, engagement soars. If you're like I am, knowing how your efforts factor into the larger picture makes detours less inviting. So the most helpful step I can make before engaging in any work is to answer the question, "What is the win in this project?"
2. Work out of my strengths
Nothing sends me on a wandering path faster than working inefficiently. If I'm tackling a job outside of my core competencies, the output is likely slow and ugly. Who wants to do that?! When I'm operating in the middle of my sweet spot, the office next to mine could be on fire and I wouldn't notice. My biggest opportunity to make an impact is to leverage the things I do very well.
Can you describe your strengths? If you haven't done so already, take the test and give it some thought!
What choices do you make to increase your focus?