Attention, Please!

You're getting ready to dive into the task at hand when the notification light on your smartphone catches your eye. Drawn in by the flashing beacon, you can't resist the urge to check your text messages.
You settle back in and open up your spreadsheet. Suddenly a co-worker stationed at a desk a few feet away leans back in his chair and casually asks, "So, did you catch the game last night?"
With all these distractions, it's a wonder we get anything done.
Our lack of concentration is a real issue. A University of California study found office workers are interrupted once every three minutes, on average. Once led off course, it takes 23 minutes to refocus on the task. Nearly half of all employees lose concentration after just 15 minutes.
What's to blame for our wandering minds? Some people point to the excessive stimulus we're surrounded by in our daily lives as the culprit. We watch television while surfing on our tablets and check our phones compulsively. Online offerings, from Facebook to cat videos, create the perfect storm of distraction.
Others blame workplace trends, such as the open-concept office. Long touted as the best way to foster collaboration, boost creativity and increase communication, the design can prove disastrous if protocol isn't defined.
The good news is that no matter the cause, we can sharpen our focus and maximize our productivity. Here are a few ways to train your brain:
1. Prioritize
Proper time management is essential in reducing distractions and the ability to identify which task needs to be tackled first can simplify your work day.
"What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important," said President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who developed a highly efficient method of prioritizing tasks. First, determine whether the task is important, then consider if it is urgent.
All tasks can be sorted into four categories: Urgent and Important, Not Urgent and Important, Urgent and Not Important, and Not Urgent and Not Important. Sort your projects into the appropriate categories and work through your To-Do List accordingly.
2. Eradicate E-Clutter
Computers have changed our world for the better, but they can also be our downfall.
If you can, consider working offline. It is estimated that 60 percent of work disruptions can be blamed on social media, smartphones and email. In fact, email, one of the great advents of the 20th century, is also the biggest time suck. Reading and processing 100 emails can take up half a work day. Ignore all but the most urgent emails, and assign a set time to check less important messages. Resist the urge to read emails as they come through.

Also consider picking up the phone instead of sending internal emails. Urgent or complex issues are better discussed by phone or in person, while items of lesser importance can be emailed. By making this distinction your employees never have to wonder if the email from Steve in Finance is about a pressing issue, or whether he's letting everyone know he brought in a birthday cake to share in the break room.
If you can't log off completely, there are apps that will block tempting websites or black out computer screen backgrounds to only allow you to view one program at a time.
3. Set Your Limits
Determine what you can use as a 'do not disturb' sign to let co-workers know you're focused on a task and can't be disrupted. In many open-concept offices, headphones are the universal sign for "I'm busy." Often workers aren't even listening to music but wear them to let others know they're in the middle of something important. Sometimes it's as simple as letting people know you're not available when they stop by your desk to chat. It may take some time, but eventually they'll get the message you're not fond of drop-in guests.
If the buzz around you can't be blocked out, consider temporarily relocating. Book a board room for an afternoon, or find a quiet corner at the local coffee house and settle in. If people can't find you, they can't disrupt you.
4. Take Care of Your Health
We all know that getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising keeps us on top of our game and naturally improves our focus. However, pay attention to how your schedule affects your well-being. Be mindful of how many hours you put in - overworking yourself can actually hurt productivity instead of helping it. Stress plays a huge role, with about 50 percent of employees losing productivity because of it.
If your diet isn't rich in fish and eggs, or you aren't consuming many products fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids, consider taking a supplement. Not only will it help lower cholesterol and curb inflammation, some experts believe it can improve your mood and concentration.
5. Reward Yourself
Balance is important, so don't be afraid to reward yourself. Grab a cookie from the vending machine or take a coffee break with your favorite latte to congratulate yourself for completing the project. Head outside and soak up some Vitamin D with a quick walk around the block.
With everyone trying to cram more activities into an already packed schedule, there's a good chance society will speed up before it slows down. By learning to prioritize our work and adopting a few new habits, we can all improve our focus and productivity.

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