“Traditional approaches to staying focused don’t work for me.” “I know what I should do to be more productive, but I just don’t do it.” I hear sentences like these repeatedly from coaching clients. Many have read articles and books — and have even been trained in productivity methods — but still find staying focused to be an uphill battle. Why do people who know a lot about what helps people focus still struggle to focus? Through my work, I’ve identified several reasons, as well as strategies that may help you gain control.
Productivity Tips for People Who Hate Productivity Tips
Many of us have tried various approaches to being more productive—apps, spreadsheets, whiteboards, journals, calendars, timers, and accountability partners—that lie discarded on the altar of past decades’ New Year’s resolutions. Strategies that rely on establishing and following rules for productivity don’t motivate everyone. People who hate productivity tools, but need to be more productive, may find success using more organic strategies. Consider finding ways to take small steps toward a goal, and enjoying the resulting sense of progress. When you start to get distracted, think about how the time you’re frittering away could be spent on things you really want to do, like spending time with your family. Knowing when to stop focusing on a task is as important as knowing when to switch. Frustrated sitting at your desk? Take your work outside. Computer screen making your eyes go buggy? Switch to working on paper or using voice recognition. When your fuel is running low, take it as a signal to do something else for a bit. When all else fails, try the cure-all strategy of taking a power nap.