Working remotely or even in a hybrid schedule has us all overworked. According to a survey by SHRM, remote workers are working longer during the work week and working on weekends. I know for our home, the same is true. During the pandemic, with nothing much else to do, I would guess my spouse spent at least 4 hours more per day working. Mine is a bit lighter, but not by much. Although Chicago has largely reopened, we are both still working remotely and both still working longer hours. While that has its benefits, it's a mental challenge. It's a proven fact that working longer causes mental fatigue. And as a result, a loss of focus. So even though you are working, you are not nearly as productive. Here are some tips to improve your focus to make sure you make the most out of the time you are working... and not working.
Establish some time where distractions are reduced. It could be moving your location of where you are working out of the 'high traffic' zone of your home or office. More than likely, it's ignoring your email for an hour or two. And it's definitely putting your phone down and not looking at social media. Turn off notifications on your computer and phone, too. The goal is to create quiet space so you can really focus in on what you are doing.
Depending on the priorities of any given day, try to establish a minimum of a one hour block of distraction free time. If you can do it, go for two hours. If you are waiting to receive an urgent document or a phone call or the like, well, clearly you need to keep your notifications on and respond quickly. Even if this is the case, try to keep the distraction to a minimum, unless it is the awaited document that then requires you to change your course.
The key here is to create the right setting to focus. If only it were a magic wand and you could simply just turn off all other outside noises. Getting the setting right is the first step. Doing it? Well, that's up to your own self-discipline. It takes practice so start small and build from there.
In our house, as in many I'm sure, we have the group text. If someone was in a class, meeting, or giving a presentation, it all went in the group text. Basically, it's sharing the fact that you can't be interrupted during that time frame and to keep the noise level down in that area of the house.
Making sure those you share the space with, whether at home or in the office, know that you are not to be interrupted is key. Of course if it's an urgent situation there is an exception. But simply letting others know helps reduce the risk of breaking your focus.
For many people, spending two hours focusing is long enough and you simply need a break. So make sure during those breaks you stay efficient. This is the ideal time to check email, grab a cup of coffee, make a phone call or get a quick task completed. If you can, it's important to get up and move around too. If you are home, make that phone call while you take a quick walk outside. Take a 5 minute break to stretch your neck and take some deep breaths.
To improve your focus, you need to get to those pesky little things that are in the back of your mind. So make sure to create some standard breaks in deep focus to get the little tasks done. By completing them, you reduce the stress of remembering they need your attention too.
My day has the same start, every day. I check email first and respond to anything urgent. I check in with my co-workers to see what's come up for them and if anything is needed from me. And then I get to the items that need my attention that day. Similarly, at midday, I make sure to check-in with those who are in our home, have lunch, and actually talk to a person, in person! Zoom fatigue is real. You get the idea.
Have reasonable expectations for what can be meaningfully accomplished in any given day. Depending on the size of the project, it may be only half of one item. Maybe you can get 3 done. But remember to not over-schedule yourself. Nothing hurts focus more than stress. Sure there are exceptions when you need to start earlier and work later. But these should be exceptions, not the rule. Attorneys are notorious for working an excessive amount of hours. And law school certainly develops your ability to have deep focus for extended periods of time. But just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Be sure you set a time each day when you log off and do not log back in. The day is done at that time, unless something urgent or truly extraordinary comes up. Managing your downtime and ensuring you give your brain some time away from work is key for focus. Get outside if you can. Fresh air and just walking is a balm to the busy mind. Get a workout in or meditate or even better, do both. A good sweat reduces tension and invigorates the body and mind. Remember to build some balance in to your daily life. And seriously, stop working on the weekends. If you can't, at least reduce the hours you work on Sunday, before the next week begins.
Building up your ability to focus and to focus deeply results in an increase in productivity. Because of that improved productivity, you have more downtime. Which again, leads to a more relaxed mind and ability to further deepen your focus. It's a wonderful cycle, whether working remotely, in a hybrid schedule, or in the office.