4 Ways to Regain in Your Focus in Technology-Saturated Work Environment

Many of my friends work in different, rather “old school” industries like law and banking. These work environments are miles apart from my work environment, which necessitates that I read on the Internet and write all day. While my friends don’t know what it’s like to have access to Facebook, I’m immersed in an environment in which anything goes. Between using my smartphone and researching on the Internet, digressions and distractions aplenty thanks to Wikipedia and hyperlinking, I feel as though my attention span has completely tanked.

If you are in the same boat as me, here are a few things I did that improved my ability to focus and get work done.

1. Find everything you need for work from the Internet, make those pages available offline, and pull the plug on your connection.

As a freelance writer who works part-time for an Internet marketing company, I spend a lot of time doing research online. While the Internet is a wonderful source of information, it can take its toll on your writing habits. By conducting all your research online, then turning off your connection, you’ll be forced to focus on only whatever you pulled from the Internet that is relevant to your work.

2. Take dedicated breaks and don’t allow yourself to stray from your break time.

Many think that taking breaks is lazy, but most don’t realize that they are necessary for your attention span to be kept steady. If you tire out your brain too much, it won’t be able to focus. Take one break per hour in order to goof off online, go for a walk, or to drink some tea or coffee.

3. Read one item at a time, and work on one task at a time.

Everyone loves to talk about how well they can multitask, but when all is said and done, there exist very few people who can actually do so. To improve your attention span and concentration, be sure to focus on one task and one task online. For example, answer emails for an hour in the morning, then move on to a long-term project, work on that for a few hours, and move on to something else.

4. Outside work, participate in activities that require high-levels of concentration.

You’d be surprised by how much your attention span shifts if you actually give your brain a little exercise in concentrating. Some activities I enjoy are reading full-length books, playing chess, or playing golf, all of which require that you spend a lot of time doing them.
These are very simple steps, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a difference they made. Just be sure to stay consistent and strong with whatever personal methods you come up with.