Finding Focus in the Chaos
We have an attention span of approximately 8.25 seconds (literally less than a goldfish). Sh$t! What does that mean for our ability to focus and be productive?
Relax. Our attention span is the length of time we can think about one thing before competing thoughts start popping up. Focusing is a practice. It’s a muscle you can build up if you are intentional.
Where do you start? How do improve your focus, and therefore, enhance productivity?
And, productivity is the goal (not busy!). Productivity means greater output and a higher quality of work. Moving the needle forward, peak use of your time, highest ROI, maximum impact, etc.
“Short” Bursts
Our days are filled with distractions. Smart phones and social media, kids popping into your office, the employee that just needs a minute, the 79 emails you wake up to, team meetings, texts with family or friends, etc.
What’s the solution? Create uninterrupted blocks of time for important tasks. This is the premise behind the popular Pomodoro Technique. Work in 25-minute blocks, followed by 5-minute breaks. After four pomodoros take a 15–20-minute break.
Similarly, work within ultradian rhythms. Studies show our brains can last for 90 minutes at peak or high-frequency levels before taking a nosedive. Then take a 20–30-minute break.
Try to schedule three 90-minute blocks in your day, I promise it leaves a good amount of time for the responsive, reactionary, and day-to-day responsibilities of being a founder and CEO.
Of course, being the good student that I am, my reaction is “wait what is the best or right amount of time?”
In his book Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey suggests you “shrink your desired hyperfocus period until you no longer feel resistance to the ritual.”
That I can wrap my brain around. I also find that having small “rituals” around my start/stop helps. I am a big fan of lighting a candle at the start and a quick stretch as I stand up for a break.
Others, create a playlist for the desired length of time. When the music stops it’s time to get up (no this is not musical chairs!)
Are You Thinking ‘Why So Many Breaks?’
What I hear from all those studies/techniques is break, break, break. Geesh every 25 minutes, really? Seems a wee excessive.
Yet, the work/ break cycle has been shown to increase focus and productivity.
Get up from your desk, put the phone down — no screens, and let yourself reset whatever that means for you (movement is great!).
Even a 30-second microbreak can increase your productivity up to 13%. A 15-second break every ten minutes can reduce your fatigue 50%. Regular 2-minute breaks increase productivity by 11.15%. And on and on.
Again, I am sure you are thinking what the heck. The point is (1) figure out what works for you, and (2) let’s be realistic sometimes your schedule doesn’t permit a specific work-break cycle.
Create Some Pressure
There is plenty written about how stress reduces productivity. What about the right amount? Dating back to 1908, studies show some stress, or a sense of urgency creates motivational energy and increases performance. How do you respond to a deadline? Performance metrics?
According to Parkinson’s Law, the amount of time you spend on a certain task depends on how much time you allot to complete that task. I equate that with the fishbowl effect — the more you make, the more you spend (unless you are Warren Buffet!).
Maybe you want to get home by 7pm for dinner with the family or read to your kids before bed. Whatever it is, you are forcing your hand.
Note, I said “you” are. This is the difference in my mind. These are “pressures” you are putting on yourself and they can be powerful if manageable and realistic (my problem!). You are setting the timer.
The goal is to get into a state of flow, be in the zone, or a peak state. A McKinsey report found that when you are in a state of flow, you are 5x more productive. Go find your flow.
