Deep Work

I have noticed that many of my coworkers have a problem with focusing, especially when they are obliged to do a project which demands full concentration. When it comes to smaller tasks, they also need more time to get them done. Furthermore, they are even not aware of that problem. They suppose it is normal that things take a lot of time and they claim that they have too many duties. To be honest, it is not true. They don’t work deeply because they don’t know they can do it and they don’t know how to do it.

There are a few tips that help you be focused and work deeply.

Time wasters

First of all, you must dispose of all time wasters. In the office, turn the radio off, close all unnecessary programs and apps and social media. Your phone should be muted, you can turn on DND mode or simply airplane mode. Notifications on your computer also should be turned off. Even one notification can break our concentration. According to scientific research, we need about 15 minutes to be focused again after an interruption. At the end of the preparation just close the door. It is a good solution to inform your coworkers that you are busy at that moment and you need quiet space.

When you work remotely it works in the same way. To things above we may add TV and streaming platforms and even video games. In a nutshell, you must be alone with your essential tasks. More about time wasters you can find there.

Time

When I work on a difficult project I like using the Pomodoro technique. It is very simple. After 25 minutes of deep work take a 5 minutes break. Do it four times and take a longer break, about 15 minutes. It helps me focus on the task because I know my time is limited. Of course, when I feel the flow I skip a break. The long break is significant, you have time to sort your thoughts out and to make a cup of tea for instance. When it comes to time, some of us prefer to work in the morning, some people prefer to work in the evening. If you can choose the most productive period of a day for you, you are lucky :). Unfortunately, the majority of employees don’t have that privilege, but using the methods I described above, you can be really focused in the morning even if you are a night owl.

The most essential thing I would like to point out is your attitude. Even if you use all these methods, but you don’t want to be really focused and work deeply, you will not. Everything is up to you. All these practices would help you, but they wouldn’t force you to be focused.