Mastering Your Attention: How to Work Smarter, Not Harder

If you catch yourself struggling to get through your daily to-do list, wishing you could just stay focused, don't worry - it’s a common feeling. But, the surprise is, that striving for constant focus might not be the key to productivity after all.

In her book Attention Span, psychologist Gloria Mark debunks the myth that we need to be 100% focused all the time to be effective, explaining that our attention naturally fluctuates throughout the day.

In the morning, we usually have a full tank of mental energy, making it easier to concentrate. But by late afternoon, after a day of meetings, emails, and keeping up with all the various notifications, that tank is often running on empty, leaving us more susceptible to distractions.

Dr. Mark suggests that instead of battling these natural dips in attention, we should work with them and here are some of the strategies she recommends:

Time Your Tasks

Line up your most demanding tasks for your peak focus periods. For most people this is earlier in the day. Then save up the simpler, more routine tasks for when your energy starts to dip, maybe later in the afternoon.

Vary Your Activities

Switching between challenging and easier tasks helps to maintain engagement without exhausting your mental capacities. This balance can help keep you steadily productive throughout the day.

As the famous chocolate bar says, "Take A Break"

When your mind starts to feel foggy, don’t just power through—take a break. This might be a quick walk (I take the dog out for ten minutes!), a chat with a colleague or a family member if you work from home, or even chucking the washing in the machine, by giving your brain a rest you can refresh your focus.

Final Takeaway

Productivity isn’t about maintaining unbroken focus; it’s about knowing when to really knuckle down and when to sit back and take a pause. By lining up your tasks with your natural attention cycles, you'll both work more efficiently and enjoy your day more.