Is your focus scattered across 100 different things? Then so is your time
May 18, 2023
I get it. There is a lot to do in a day, a shift, a week or a swing. When it feels like we aren’t getting through it all, or there is no time to focus on the big things that add value we start to wonder how we can manage our time better to fit more in.
What if I told you time management isn’t the answer? Its making time to focus. On. Just. One. Thing.
Easier said than done right? Do you believe this is possible for you or is your response “but there is always a distraction’, “people are trying to contact me”, “people need me”. As I said I get it, but you are the one that decides if you are always available and how you spend your time right?
You decide where you put your focus.
Knowing you want to be able to create time to focus is one thing. How do you do it when there seems to be so many obstacles out of your control?
I'm not saying step out of your day to day and let people do whatever they want or make decisions on the fly. Its about knowing what you can control and putting other options in place. For example, if you are a frontline leader in an operational environment, chances are the phone rings pretty frequently. So give it to someone else to look after for a few hours and let people know this is going to happen. That way everyone is prepared and there is clear communication.
There are always ways to create time to focus, you just need to be ready, willing and able to make it achievable. And stick to it.
If you come into with this mindset you can make it happen. If you think of all the reasons why you can’t, then it won’t. It’s that simple.
Here are my top tips for creating space to focus:
· Batch your work and schedule in what matters most. For example, on the first Monday of the month I write all of my newsletters for that month,
· Set boundaries and keep them! If you are not available, you are not available. If what you are working on is adding big value, then its time well spent,
· Give your team another point of contact so nothing stops when you aren’t available, it’s a great opportunity to delegate and give your team a chance to develop their skills,
· Where possible set up your day with meetings in the morning or afternoon or all on one day, not scattered across the day or week with only short gaps in between where nothing productive is achieved,
· Align your deep work with when you have your best brain energy, for me its in the mornings and later in the afternoon.
Knowing how you do your most productive work and creating the conditions to make it happen means you can focus on the big things that matter most and really make a difference.
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