LIVING WELL: How to Stay Focused in a World of Distractions

Choose single tasks over multitasking

We don’t often consider the toll multitasking can take on our productivity: multitasking is rapidly switching between two or more tasks, giving each one alternating chunks of our attention, and research suggests that it can cause more errors than productivity. Give yourself permission to prioritize and focus on one thing – you’ll be more productive if you do.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work, break your tasks into shorter intervals with short breaks in between; this is called the Pomodoro Technique. During a work interval, spend your time on a single task, doing it one step at a time. During a break interval, change your mindset or location to reset.

Intentionally set notifications on or off

Email and text notifications are a primary source of distraction. Our brains struggle to focus when our texts and emails send us alerts every few minutes. Disable email and text notifications, and then block out time later to answer messages without interruption. Features like Do Not Disturb can help us focus during especially critical periods of concentration.

Does looking at your seemingly never-ending to-do list give you a headache? First thing in the morning, choose three tasks to focus on for the day. Accomplishing these tasks, no matter how small, will build positive momentum and help keep you motivated through the day.