The importance of focus

We all know that focus is important.  It is a powerful tool.  When we have a report, presentation or something important to do, we usually focus complete attention on it until it gets done.  We've done this hundreds of times and think nothing of it.

We've even read books and articles about people who have achieved amazing results by staying focused.  Bill Gates, Zig Ziglar and Steve Jobs all believe in the importance of focus.  Some would even argue that focus is the most important ingredient to success.

“My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.”  

Bill Gates

             "That's been one of my mantras -                 focus and simplicity."  

    Steve Jobs

“I don’t care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don’t harness it and focus it on a specific target, and hold it there you’re never going to accomplish as much as your ability warrants.”  

Zig Ziglar

I don't think any of this will come as a surprise to you.  We have seen the tangible results that can be achieved by focusing our energy and mind on a single goal, mission or project.  Even though we all know the importance of staying focused, the trouble is distraction.  It is easy to get distracted.  It is hard to stay focused.  

Distractions - noise, people, emails, phones or always-on technology - abound in the office, at school or at home.  Yes, there are people who have the ability to remain laser-beam focused...even when they are surrounded by chaos, problems or distractions.  However, the truth is that these distractions have a negative impact on our work no matter how good we think we are at multitasking.  Our loss of focus produces sub-optimal results.

New studies suggest that the distractions that take away our focus and invade our thoughts, lead us towards lower quality work, more stress, higher frustration and increased time pressure.  Bottom line, unless you stay focused, chances are that you will not be putting forth your best effort.

1. A study from George Mason University documents the effect interruptions have on the quality of work. The research suggests that interruptions negatively impact quality of work during a complex, creative writing task.
2. Research from the University of California at Irvine suggests that people compensate for interruptions by working faster, but this comes at a price: experiencing more stress, higher frustration, time pressure and effort.
3. A Michigan State University study, in which 300 people performed a sequence-based procedure on a computer, found that interruptions of about three seconds doubled the error rate.
4. Forbes reported that "research conducted at Stanford University found that multitasking is less productive than doing a single thing at a time. The researchers also found that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time."

The research also reveals that distractions can affect you for up to 30 minutes afterwards.  Just think about that for a moment.  If you're interrupted while in the middle of a project or paper, it may take you 30 minutes to get back your mental focus.  That's a lot of lost productivity.  One study even suggests that interruptions and distractions cost the U.S. economy $588 billion a year.  

As technology becomes ubiquitous, the chances for distraction will continue to multiply.  Let's face it, we are surrounded by distraction.  Just look around the table during your next meeting or presentation.  How many people are staring at their phones?  We need to break this cycle to do our best.

Here are a few tried and true tips to help with your focus.  

1. Prioritize your day - the best way to stay focused is to give yourself clear goals.  What do you need to accomplish today?  Know what you have to do and get it done.  Make it a part of your every day routine to create a To Do list.  This simple task will focus your attention and help you to avoid distractions.

2. Stay on task - once you start something, finish it.  The research is clear. Staying focused produces the best results and once you are distracted, it can take up to 30 minutes to get our mind back in the game.  If you've got a big project with multiple tasks, then plan it out.  Break it down into smaller tasks and attack it.  Stay on each task until you get it done.

3. Say no - Yes - say no!  It really is that easy.  If you allow yourself to be distracted by others, you will not be productive.  Your co-workers will understand - and so will your boss.  Be polite and tell people that you're in the middle of something important.  You'll get back to them as soon as you can.  They will understand.

4. Take a break - it's OK to step away from your work.  Walk down the hall.  Get a coffee.  Clear your mind.  Use the break as a way to catch up on your email or return the phone calls that you avoided while you were in your "zone".

5. Hide your Smartphone - constant beeps or alerts from your phone are a distraction.  Put your phone face down on your desk and don't look at it until you finish your task or accomplish a few of your To Do items.  Do not keep looking at it.  It will distract you.  It will absolutely cause you to lose focus. Tame this electronic beast and make it adhere to your schedule.

6. Get it right the first time - haste makes waste.  Focus your attention on a philosophy of getting it right the first time.  It will allow you to put your best foot forward in all that you do.  Don't rush to cross off your To Dos if you're going to be sloppy and produce B or C level work.  Push for the A!  This mindset will create better focus. 

7. Leave your desk - find a quiet work space or a conference room when you've got an important task to do.  This will free you from the continuous distractions that you face at your desk and it will allow you to focus your attention on the job at hand.  Try it.  It works.

8. Think like an athlete - professional athletes are all about focus. Years of dedication and training go into every game.  Their singular focus has been to be the best at what they do when they walk out onto the field.  They stay focused and get great results.  They are not texting or emailing when they are on the sidelines - or on the field.  They are 100% in the game at ALL times.  Force yourself to raise your game and improve your results.

The evidence is clear.  Focus is a powerful ingredient for success.  Distractions are bad.  Fortunately, we have the ability to control our environment - and we should.  Stay focused and you will produce your best work and achieve exceptional results.