We live in a technological world where professional expectations and workloads seem to grow greater with each passing day. The moment you think you have tackled your responsibilities and set yourself up for a productive workday, something unexpected requires your attention and you lose all focus – sound familiar? You aren’t alone.
The ability to stay focused throughout the workday doesn’t come as second nature to most people. Instead, working professionals must find a way to defeat all distractions (must..not..check..Facebook) and manage their time with success. Launch Workplaces is here to enlighten you on how to maintain focus for a productive workday.
Location is Key: Choose Your Workspace Wisely
The location of your workplace plays a vital role in your ability to concentrate, especially if you are a Freelancer or Independent Worker. Independant Workers represent upwards of 18 million people in the United States. However, working from home can present distractions – pets, television, music, lack of comfortable seating, and more.
As an Independent Worker or small business owner, the biggest favor you can do yourself is to get a dedicated office space that will inspire you to focus and motivate you to achieve your professional goals. Coworking spaces, unlike typical office environments, are shared by individuals from varying professions and organizations. They are the perfect solution for small businesses and Independent Workers that need an ideal location for focus and growth.
Clear Your Computer and Phone of Distractions
It can be difficult to disconnect from the budding world of social media and digital news during the workday. To regain focus, make an effort to close all browsers and applications on your computer and phone that are not immediately relevant to the work at hand. It is also helpful to silence your personal phone while you are trying to focus, in order to avoid the tempting buzz or ding associated with an incoming text message or update. Easier said than done, we know!
We can hear you now, asking yourself, “What if there is an emergency?!” Instead, ask yourself what your definition of an emergency is – our guess is that it doesn’t include celebrity news, recent engagement announcements, or talking to your friend through their minor mid-day crisis. If it makes you feel better, let the people that are important to you know that you have allotted time for yourself to focus on work and will be unreachable for a short time. If possible, give them an office number to contact you at in the event of a real emergency.
Find Hours That Work For You
The average workday takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unfortunately, this specific time frame is not designed with every modern day worker in mind. It is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to maintain expectations while loosening their hourly restraints. This encourages employees to work during the hours when they feel most focused and productive. When it comes to focusing and making your workday count, flexible work hours make an incredible difference.
Keep Coffee and Healthy Snacks Nearby
Without food and snacks nearby hunger and thirst can consume your working brain, making it difficult to focus. It is a great idea to keep water, coffee, and healthy snacks within arms reach. Sometimes regaining focus is as simple as taking a two minute break to enjoy an energy-boosting handful of peanuts or cup of coffee. Sugary snacks, on the other hand, have a tendency to slow you down in the long run and make you feel more sluggish nearing the end of the workday.
Find a Desk and Chair That Suits You
One of the most frustrating aspects of working remotely or in a crowded office is the ability to get distracted by an uncomfortable chair or desk. If your work requires you to be in one place all day, make sure you spend that time in a desk or chair that doesn’t leave you slumping in pain. If you are working remotely, try to avoid couches or lounge chairs that are too leisurely to maintain focus. For the record, who said you had to sit down all day? If sitting for extended periods of time hasn’t been a proven success model for you, consider working at a standing desk instead. Stand up desks are becoming increasingly popular in the business world.
Launch Workplaces: Your Workday Focus Solution
At Launch Workplaces, we understand that finding the right office space is one of the most daunting challenges of a growing business. That is why we pride ourselves on creating ideal coworking environments for like-minded businesses and individuals. We support the entrepreneur community by offering manageable hours and flexible terms for our dedicated and virtual offices. We also host social and networking events across our five office locations in the DC region. Let’s do something great together. Contact us today to learn more.
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