min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Every business leader has trouble staying focused, but some find that distraction is a constant that gets in the way of productivity. Symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can get in the way of a productive, focused work day, and in extreme cases are linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Boring tasks lead to distraction and procrastination and enduring them exacerbates the problem. By taking frequent breaks and doing physical activity, gives you the energy you need to mai...
Trying to focus on something without moving tires the mind. In general, releasing excess energy throughout the day will help you stay on task.
When you need to pay attention during a call or meeting, bring a small object that you can play with, such as putty. Handling something that you can manipulate mindlessly while you listen frees up your mental energy so you can better focus.
Map your day by the hour and review it throughout the day to help you organize your time. That visual cue will help you pace your day and budget your time appropriately. To do that:
Use free hours effectively by ranking your task list visually.
Try color coding your list according to priority, with four or five levels of urgency.
Do the essential, time-sensitive tasks early in the week while you're fresh, then save the optional ones for later.
6 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Close your eyes and think of the most iconic founder in recent memory. We're willing to bet that an image of Steve Jobs floats through your mind. That's no surprise.
Know your "noble cause." Jobs understood that if teams don’t find their work meaningful, they perceive challenging directives from a leader as arbitrary demands rather than a call to sacrifice for a higher purpose.
Tell your story early and often. If you can’t weave your ideas into a clear, compelling story, those ideas remain abstract words likely to be forgotten.
Push, but within boundaries. Make sure you have a clear end point and time line in mind before you go into "push" mode. Intense work with no clear end in sight is demoralizing.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. As an entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. Staying focused can be tough with a constant stream of employees, clients, emails, and phone calls demanding your attention. Amid the noise, understanding your brain's limitations and working around them can improve your focus and increase your productivity.
Typically, we do mindless work first and build-up to the toughest tasks. That drains your energy and lowers your focus.
In order to focus effectively, reverse the order. Check off the tasks that require creativity or concentration first thing in the morning, and then move on to easier work.
We are truly focused for an average of only six hours per week. You want to be really diligent with what you put into those hours.
90 percent of people do their best thinking outside the office. Notice where and when you focus best, then allocate your toughest tasks for those moments.