Tools for Enhancing Focus During Disruptive Times

I’ve been struggling to own my brain. Feels like I’ve been mentally hijacked by life. Work. Family. Politics. Money. Health. But, I know I’m not alone. A lot of us are having trouble owning our own brain lately. When that happens, our lives are disrupted. It’s harder to focus or get things accomplished. You might feel unmotivated or uninspired. You might feel less creative or innovative. When the noise gets to be too much, that is when the intentional use of focus techniques can come in handy. Here are a few things I try to action when I feel like I’m not owning my brain: Prioritize Tasks: Break down your tasks into manageable chunks. Focus on completing one thing at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. This approach helps reduce stress and increases your sense of accomplishment as you complete each task. Mindfulness and Meditation: Spend a few minutes each day in mindfulness or meditation. It helps clear the mental clutter and enhances your focus. Regular mindfulness practice can improve concentration, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall mental clarity. Physical Activity: Exercise can be a great way to reset your mind. Even a short walk can make a big difference. Physical activity releases endorphins, which improve mood and energy levels, leading to better mental and physical health. Talk to Someone: Sometimes, sharing your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend, colleague, or therapist can provide new perspectives and relieve mental pressure. It’s okay to ask for help. Talking to someone can help you feel supported, reduce feelings of isolation, and provide new insights into your challenges. Take Breaks: Regular breaks during work can help refresh your mind and improve productivity. Schedule time on your calendar to step away from your desk, stretch, or grab a coffee. Taking breaks prevents burnout, increases creativity, and enhances overall productivity. Limit Distractions: Identify what commonly distracts you and find ways to minimize them. This could be as simple as turning off notifications or setting specific times to check emails. Reducing distractions allows for deeper focus, better quality work, and more efficient use of time. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Setting boundaries ensures you have time to recharge, leading to improved mental health and sustained productivity. Remember, it’s important to take care of your mental well-being. Hopefully, by incorporating one or two these techniques, you can regain control and start owning your brain again. #leadership #leadershipmatters #Culture #multifamily

As a CFO, I am constantly interrupted by meetings, notifications, calls, and other disruptions, particularly from my phone. However, finding time for deep, focused work is crucial for driving impactful change and fostering innovation. Recently, I read "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, and it has significantly influenced my approach to productivity. Here are a few strategies I've implemented, inspired by the book's teachings: 𝟏. 𝐃𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞: Activating this on my phone, with notifications granted only for essential apps (phone, messages, etc.), has helped me create an environment conducive to deep work by minimizing distractions. 𝟐. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Coming from large corporations, I confess there was an overabundance of meetings, and I got used to them. Newport’s advice on minimizing shallow work inspired me to prioritize fewer, more effective meetings that add real value. 𝟑. 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: I now allocate specific blocks of time dedicated solely to deep work, as Newport suggests, ensuring I can concentrate on high-priority tasks without interruptions. 𝟒. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Inspired by the principle of focusing on the most important tasks, I ensure that my efforts are directed towards activities that yield the highest value and drive meaningful results. 𝟓. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: By reducing time spent on social media, I follow Newport’s guidance on eliminating shallow activities, which helps me maintain focus and productivity. Implementing these strategies has transformed my productivity and focus, allowing me to make a greater impact. How do you manage distractions and ensure you have time for deep work? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. I highly recommend "Deep Work" to anyone looking to enhance their focus and productivity. Let's prioritize what truly matters and drive meaningful results. https://lnkd.in/ehAZTFvy

As a software engineer juggling ADHD and PTSD, I've had to get creative with my work habits. Here's a peek into the strategies that keep me productive. 👨💻🎧 🔊 Loud Music for Laser Focus Forget lo-fi — give me that high-energy beat to lock in my concentration and keep my mind from drifting. 🖥️ Single Screen, Singular Focus Despite the popularity of multi-monitor setups, a single screen minimizes distractions and maximizes my coding flow. 🚫 Strategic Meeting Minimization Meetings can be a significant flow disruptor. I now schedule a dedicated four-hour block for uninterrupted coding, significantly boosting my output. 📴 Phone Coffin: Out of Sight, Out of Mind My phone goes into a literal coffin, and my watch gets docked. If it's urgent, Slack or Teams is the way to reach me. 🔕 Do Not Disturb: My Silent Ally DND mode is non-negotiable during my focused coding blocks to keep those pings and dings at bay. ⏲️ The Countdown Timer Technique A physical timer sets the boundary for my work sprints, helping me stay on track and reminding me when to take a break. 🤖 AI Tools: My Secret Sauce From scheduling with Motion to note-taking with Notion, AI tools help me stay organized and in the zone. And Copilot? It's my co-coding companion that lets me stay in my editor longer. These are my adjustments to keep me coding at my best. If you're navigating similar challenges or seeking focus-enhancing tips, I hope these insights inspire you. Stay productive, and keep coding! #CodingWithADHD #ProductivityHacks #SoftwareDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness