18 tips

  1. create time and space to focus

  2. shut everything off that you don’t need

  3. do it without interruption

    set a clear start and stop time, 90 mins max

    resist every impulse for distraction,

    the more absorbed you are the more productive you’ll be

  4. have downtime

    create times during the day when you completely stop working and take proper breaks

  5. pause after each task.

    take a moment to let it sink in,

    recognise what you’ve achieved

  6. set some boundaries,

    if you don’t have to be on 24/7, then don’t be on 24/7

  7. set times of the day to check messages / calls

  8. if you always respond in the moment,

    then everyone expects things from you in a moment,

    shape other people’s expectations that you are not accessible 24/7

  9. learn to say no

    the more you say yes the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout and depression

  10. saying no to a new commitment means you can do the things you’ve already said yes to

  11. stop demanding.

    don’t expect instant responses at every minute of the day,

    it forces people into reactive mode, it breaks their attention and makes it difficult for them to focus on their tasks

  12. take a tech detox

    it resets your system and you learn that life goes on without constantly tapping, typing, swiping & clicking

  13. do it or plan it

    if it takes a minute, do it

    if it takes longer, plan when to do it

  14. set a time to worry

    sometimes, we just need to give ourself the space to worry about stuff

    its much better to devote a set time to worrying (eg 30 mins)

    that way we are dealing with it

    we are more likely to put it into context or find a solution

    we are not letting it consume the rest of our day

  15. find the best time of the day where your natural rhythm makes focusing easier

  16. when we are fully alert,

    this is the best time for analytical / process tasks

  17. when we are less alert,

    this is the best time for creative / insightful thinking

  18. work with your chronotype

    • morning larks should do analytical / process tasks early in the day

      and creative / insightful thinking late in the day

    • night owls should do creative / insightful thinking early in the day

      and analytical / process tasks late in the day