My husband, Zach, is an engineer; I am a marketer.  We couldn’t be more “left-brain right-brain” opposite.  I say “left-brain right-brain” because recent research has shown that we don’t actually have a more dominant side of our brain.  While this makes for some amusing conversations on how things should be done around the house, I also find it to be one of the most intriguing things about him.  Our brains work very differently.

After I had my daughter and started back to work, I was having a hard time focusing (gee, I can’t imagine why).  I was quite frustrated and talked to Zach at length about it.  While some of the tips he gave me to help regain focus resounded with me, others were pretty different from strategies that I often employ.  I think this stems back to the differences in how we process things.

The workplace is full of different kinds of people, and at times we all need a little help focusing.  While recent research has shown that no one is truly left or right brain dominant, it does show that you rely more on your left brain for logic tasks and more on your right brain for creative tasks.  So, here are some tips for different types of work tasks.

Universal Tips

Remove All Distractions

Regardless of the type of work you are doing, it is very helpful to minimize distractions as much as possible.  Some simple things you can do are closing your email, putting your cell phone away, and setting your desk phone to “do not disturb.”

Here at LockNet, we allow employees to take advantage of Personal Work Time (PWT).  People can put up a sign indicating that they are in PWT which means, “Unless you have an emergency, please check back with me in an hour.”

Make a List and Write Down Goals

Sometimes I find I have issues focusing because I feel scattered in what I need to accomplish.  As such, I end up jumping from one task to the next without giving each one the full focus and energy it deserves.

When I get stuck in this rut, I find it helpful to physically write down the top three things I need to accomplish and what I need to do to get those items done.  Once I do this, I use it as a roadmap to keep me on track.

Depending on how detailed you like to get, it can also be helpful to set time limits for each task.  This can keep you from getting buried in the details.  For some types of work, this is appropriate, whereas, for others, you may need to give yourself the freedom to take as much time as you need to complete the task.

Creative Task Focus Tips

Take a Walk

A lot of my work is creative; if I’m not careful, I am sometimes amazed at where my brain ends up.  I’ll start trying to figure out what to write for my next blog post and by the end of my thought-train I’m daydreaming about a trip to Italy.  I can sit there and try to brainstorm on paper until I’m blue in the face, but often times that just doesn’t get my wheels turning.  So what do I do?  I take a walk.

Yes – sometimes I have to get away from work to get to work.  I have been known to leash up the dogs and hit the pavement to help me regain focus.

Sometimes I will focus on the issue I need to tackle when I sit down, and sometimes I will just clear my head and do walking meditation.  Both are incredibly helpful in re-energizing me and getting my wheels turning.  I have talked to numerous business leaders who swear by walking meetings as well.

Listen to Music Without Words

Music is a great way to minimize distractions; however, if you listen to the wrong kind of music it can be a distraction in and of itself.  If you are like me, you will tend to focus on the lyrics and will end up taking trips down memory lane to memories associated with each song.

Instrumental music is a great way to block out distractions and maintain focus.  In college, my roommate and I could often be found rocking out to Enya and classical music when we were doing our homework (yes – we were cool).  If instrumental music still distracts you, try to find a quiet area to work.  I have been known to have meetings with myself and my laptop in the conference room when I need to get some focused writing done.

Logic Task Focus Tips

Listen to Any Kind of Music

Music is a great way to help you focus for both creative and logic tasks alike.  However, if you are working on a logic task, listening to words with music may not cause a problem.  In fact, it may be quite energizing and could keep you from zoning out.

Take Regular Breaks

If you are working on a monotonous logic task, or something very detailed, it may behoove you to take regular breaks.  This can help you from burning out on the task and can give you the energy you need to maintain focus.

What focus strategies work for you?  Do you think you are more logic or creative minded?  What strategies don’t work?