“You can always find a distraction if you are looking for one” – Tom Kite
This quote deeply resonated with me because it feels profoundly true, especially in today’s world. Nowadays, distractions seem infinite with the ever-evolving digital landscape and social media platforms constantly developing endless scrolling functionalities. I believe this has significantly impacted not only people’s ability to focus deeply and avoid distractions but also the average attention span. So, how do we eliminate these distractions to focus on the things that truly matter and provide value, whether that be work, personal projects, or productive habits like reading or exercise?
As someone who has worked from home since the announcement of the pandemic in March 2020, I have been in an environment where I could easily fall victim to an endless number of distractions. While I have always been someone who has really enjoyed the WFH lifestyle and feel much more productive in this setting, I have also adapted some productivity habits that have really helped me stay focused and make the most of each day. Here are some of these daily habits:
- Waking up early: For someone like me, who is naturally a morning person, this one is not difficult. Despite this, I have noticed that habitually waking up early is just a great start to each day for me. While I use to use an alarm clock, my body has naturally adapted to waking up at the same time every day, which is right around 7AM.
- Limiting phone time (especially in the morning): This one did NOT come naturally for me… It is such an easy thing to wake up and jump right on your phone and delve into the cyber world to watch funny videos or your favorite creator. In my experience, avoiding phone time, particularly right when I wake up for about an hour and before bed, has always shown to be so beneficial and refreshing. In addition to these time frames, throughout the day while working or even on weekends, I really limit the amount of time I am on my phone to avoid these distractions. Of course I will reply to a text or answer my brothers or friends in our group chats, but mainly just avoid the social scrolling.
- Journaling / To-Do Lists: While having some sort of to-do list is super common for many of us, journaling something I would say is less common. Whether it is the start of the week or start of the day, I am habitually writing out to-do lists and routinely checking back on them to check things off when I complete them. Something I have noticed as well is that actually writing these to-do lists is MUCH more beneficial for me to actually complete them. As for the journaling, I keep two different types of journals, one is a personal journal where I randomly write down thoughts, quotes, ideas, do vacation journals so I remember the trip better, etc, the other one is something I picked up this year, which is a guided daily journal that is really simple to fill out and has been a great daily habit and fun to look back on each days entries as well.
- Pomodoro Method: This is something I actually learned about from my brother Isaiah and has really helped me in my workdays. The Pomodoro method really hones in on setting an actual timer for 25-45 times to do a deep focus work period, then taking a short break, repeating this cycle, and then taking a larger 15-20 minute break after 4 cycles. Here are also some general guidelines for this method as well:
- Break Down Complex Projects
- Small Tasks Go Together
- Once a Pomodoro is set, it must ring
- Get Some Sunlight/Exercise Daily: This is something that is non-negotiable for me. I have found that getting some sunlight (especially in the morning) is such a fantastic way to start the day. Ideally for me, this would involve a morning walk to wake myself up and reset my circadian rhythm for the day. I do understand that some people live in cold places and this is not always accessible, so I would just do the best you can and even just stepping outside for some fresh air and hopefully some sunlight as well will do wonders. In addition to the sunlight, I am someone who loves to exercise and break a sweat every single day, whether this be through a long walk, a good workout, or playing tennis or basketball, doing this daily has made me feel much better physically.
- Utilize Productivity Apps: There are a plethora of different productivity apps and software out there, many of them being free as well, but 2 that I have found to be the most useful in my day-to-day have been ToDoist and Habit.
In the face of constant distractions, maintaining focus and productivity is an ongoing journey. By implementing mindful habits such as early rising, limited phone usage, journaling, Pomodoro sessions, and prioritizing outdoor time/physical activity, we can reclaim control over our attention and achieve meaningful progress in both work and life.