by Matt Davida
Whether you work in an office or at home, staying focused during work hours can be challenging. Between all the personal tasks you need to complete and the unplanned interruptions that occur throughout the day, it can be difficult to concentrate on your job. If this sounds all too familiar, follow these seven tips to help you stay on top of your work during the day.
1. Fuel Your Body
One of the best things you can do to stay attentive is to properly fuel your body. And no, this does not mean drinking a few cups of coffee in the morning. Without daily nutrients, your body lacks the nourishment it needs to function properly and keep you alert, focused and energized.
Take a daily supplement, such as one by USANA Health Sciences. This amazing company offers a variety of quality nutritional goods, including daily vitamins. Their products may help you to maintain your current health, support your immune system, provide antioxidants and a variety of other nutritional goals.
Eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Protein combined with a healthy fat or carbohydrate helps keep you energized, while a diverse intake of fruits and vegetables provides the minerals your body requires.
Avoid eating or drinking a lot of sugar during the workday. Too much can lead to a sugar crash, making it extra difficult to stay on top of your work. Keep a large bottle filled with water with you throughout the day. Jazz up the flavor by adding slices of fruit.
2. Create a Schedule
Creating a schedule helps you know exactly what to do during each hour of the day. While you need to also be flexible when unexpected situations arise, having a routine can help you accomplish all the tasks on your to-do list without missing anything.
Create a schedule on an online calendar. Block off time for meetings, phone calls, personal appointments, breaks, time to work on projects and open time that you are available for questions.
3. Set an Alarm
If you tend to get fixated on the project at hand, set an alarm. Doing this ensures you get the allotted amount of time to work on each task. You can set an alarm on your computer or on your phone. If your schedule is fairly consistent each day, create the alarms to go off every day so you do not have to keep resetting them.
4. Take Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day is actually important to stay focused on work. Breaks give your brain a chance to reboot, helping you come back to the task at hand with a new and clear outlook. Plus, it gives you time to complete a few items on your personal to-do list.
5. Listen to Music
Music is a fantastic way to motivate you throughout the day and simply help you enjoy your work time more. Create a few playlists and listen to them when you are working on projects or responding to emails.
If you are working on something that requires a lot of concentration, instrumental music may be a better choice. Songs with catchy lyrics may get stuck in your head and make it more difficult to focus.
6. Decorate Your Space
If you love your workspace, chances are you will be more excited to spend time there. Make the space your own by decorating it. Display pictures of your friends, family and pets. Include favorite nicknacks from trips. Put a plant on your desk as well; some research shows having a plant indoors can actually have physical benefits, such as increasing productivity and reducing stress.
7. Avoid Distractions
Do your best to avoid distractions throughout the day. For example, turn off notifications on your phone or switch the phone to silent mode. If you know you will spend 20 minutes talking to a friend if you walk by his or her desk, do not walk by it until you have the time.
If you cannot seem to focus on the tasks at hand throughout the day, you may just need some simple tweaks to your routines. Get into the habit of practicing these tips and watch your productivity soar.
1. Fuel Your Body
One of the best things you can do to stay attentive is to properly fuel your body. And no, this does not mean drinking a few cups of coffee in the morning. Without daily nutrients, your body lacks the nourishment it needs to function properly and keep you alert, focused and energized.
Take a daily supplement, such as one by USANA Health Sciences. This amazing company offers a variety of quality nutritional goods, including daily vitamins. Their products may help you to maintain your current health, support your immune system, provide antioxidants and a variety of other nutritional goals.
Eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Protein combined with a healthy fat or carbohydrate helps keep you energized, while a diverse intake of fruits and vegetables provides the minerals your body requires.
Avoid eating or drinking a lot of sugar during the workday. Too much can lead to a sugar crash, making it extra difficult to stay on top of your work. Keep a large bottle filled with water with you throughout the day. Jazz up the flavor by adding slices of fruit.
2. Create a Schedule
Creating a schedule helps you know exactly what to do during each hour of the day. While you need to also be flexible when unexpected situations arise, having a routine can help you accomplish all the tasks on your to-do list without missing anything.
Create a schedule on an online calendar. Block off time for meetings, phone calls, personal appointments, breaks, time to work on projects and open time that you are available for questions.
3. Set an Alarm
If you tend to get fixated on the project at hand, set an alarm. Doing this ensures you get the allotted amount of time to work on each task. You can set an alarm on your computer or on your phone. If your schedule is fairly consistent each day, create the alarms to go off every day so you do not have to keep resetting them.
4. Take Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day is actually important to stay focused on work. Breaks give your brain a chance to reboot, helping you come back to the task at hand with a new and clear outlook. Plus, it gives you time to complete a few items on your personal to-do list.
5. Listen to Music
Music is a fantastic way to motivate you throughout the day and simply help you enjoy your work time more. Create a few playlists and listen to them when you are working on projects or responding to emails.
If you are working on something that requires a lot of concentration, instrumental music may be a better choice. Songs with catchy lyrics may get stuck in your head and make it more difficult to focus.
6. Decorate Your Space
If you love your workspace, chances are you will be more excited to spend time there. Make the space your own by decorating it. Display pictures of your friends, family and pets. Include favorite nicknacks from trips. Put a plant on your desk as well; some research shows having a plant indoors can actually have physical benefits, such as increasing productivity and reducing stress.
7. Avoid Distractions
Do your best to avoid distractions throughout the day. For example, turn off notifications on your phone or switch the phone to silent mode. If you know you will spend 20 minutes talking to a friend if you walk by his or her desk, do not walk by it until you have the time.
If you cannot seem to focus on the tasks at hand throughout the day, you may just need some simple tweaks to your routines. Get into the habit of practicing these tips and watch your productivity soar.
