Comments on: Ask The Readers: How Do You Get Focused? http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/ One of the longest running and most respected productivity blogs on the net! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:02:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christian http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/comment-page-1/#comment-32225 Christian Sat, 02 May 2009 10:37:36 +0000 http://www.organizeit.co.uk/?p=3892#comment-32225 As I have no own office getting into the zone is not so easy. Normally I use a pair of good Bluetooth headphones, switch on some music (for me, even the heavier stuff works quite well, as long as I don't max out the volume) and start my tasks. Most of my colleagues now know that when I'm using my headphones, it's normally a good idea to interrupt only when it's real important stuff. As I have no own office getting into the zone is not so easy. Normally I use a pair of good Bluetooth headphones, switch on some music (for me, even the heavier stuff works quite well, as long as I don’t max out the volume) and start my tasks. Most of my colleagues now know that when I’m using my headphones, it’s normally a good idea to interrupt only when it’s real important stuff.

]]> By: Stu http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/comment-page-1/#comment-32197 Stu Fri, 01 May 2009 08:19:15 +0000 http://www.organizeit.co.uk/?p=3892#comment-32197 You can't get rid of distractions, there is always something. Try working in an open office and see how quickly you realize that you don't have your own space to control. But in many ways that can give you the energy you sometimes need to get things done. For instance, you might want to look busy for peer pressure and the easiest way to look busy is to be busy. There have been loads of studies where office workers have worked harder and been more productive when someone is looking in from the outside (doing painting, cleaning windows). That should be a major distraction shouldn't it? I try to focus on the "why" of doing something when I get stuck or majorly distracted. I can then decide whether the distraction is more important to me or if I should try to block it out. I often read comments that you should only do the things you like and then you'll have endless commitment to it. I disagree - I get more satisfaction when I give commitment to something that has to be done when I don't want to do it. It helps me grow as a person and gives me an edge, especially if I'm willing to do the things that others won't. You can’t get rid of distractions, there is always something. Try working in an open office and see how quickly you realize that you don’t have your own space to control. But in many ways that can give you the energy you sometimes need to get things done. For instance, you might want to look busy for peer pressure and the easiest way to look busy is to be busy. There have been loads of studies where office workers have worked harder and been more productive when someone is looking in from the outside (doing painting, cleaning windows). That should be a major distraction shouldn’t it?

I try to focus on the “why” of doing something when I get stuck or majorly distracted. I can then decide whether the distraction is more important to me or if I should try to block it out.

I often read comments that you should only do the things you like and then you’ll have endless commitment to it. I disagree – I get more satisfaction when I give commitment to something that has to be done when I don’t want to do it. It helps me grow as a person and gives me an edge, especially if I’m willing to do the things that others won’t.

]]> By: HoH http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/comment-page-1/#comment-32155 HoH Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:55:07 +0000 http://www.organizeit.co.uk/?p=3892#comment-32155 Listening to the sound of water flow helps me get into a mind like water. I use an iPhone app called White Noise to do that. It never fails. Listening to the sound of water flow helps me get into a mind like water. I use an iPhone app called White Noise to do that. It never fails.

]]> By: James http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/comment-page-1/#comment-32147 James Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:38:35 +0000 http://www.organizeit.co.uk/?p=3892#comment-32147 Thanks for the comment Matthew. I often have a similar problem when I'm not 100% clear on where I'm going with a project and agree that doing a brain dump to try and get a grip of the situation is crucial. Thanks for the comment Matthew. I often have a similar problem when I’m not 100% clear on where I’m going with a project and agree that doing a brain dump to try and get a grip of the situation is crucial.

]]> By: Matthew Lang http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2009/04/29/ask-the-readers-how-do-you-get-focused/comment-page-1/#comment-32143 Matthew Lang Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:36:33 +0000 http://www.organizeit.co.uk/?p=3892#comment-32143 My focus tends to wonder if I am at a crossroads in a project or I need to make a decision on a next step. Instead of wondering about what decisions to make, I usually do a brain dump and a mind map of my possible next actions and anything else I have on my mind. It's a good way of visualizing your options and determining what the best course of action would be, rather than just thinking about it. It also lets me put down any distraction I might have in my mind so that I can consult my mind map later. My focus tends to wonder if I am at a crossroads in a project or I need to make a decision on a next step. Instead of wondering about what decisions to make, I usually do a brain dump and a mind map of my possible next actions and anything else I have on my mind. It’s a good way of visualizing your options and determining what the best course of action would be, rather than just thinking about it. It also lets me put down any distraction I might have in my mind so that I can consult my mind map later.

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