How do you monitor your focus at work?

In the office and definitely at home, it’s full of potential distractions: cellphone, zoom, baby, cat … work center, how do you get there – hey, new mail! – Better at that?

To get rid of the illusion immediately: There is no one-size-fits-all guide, says American scientist Cal Newport, author of the book Deep work. Working in a world full of distractions. The way he preaches is not very rigid. He suggests dividing your day into blocks, and making a clear plan for your day, keeping in mind unexpected events as well. Didn’t you finish the job? Transfer it to the next day.

Stefan van der Stigchel, author of the books Catch your attention On Concentration Largely in agreement with Newport’s claims. The best time to do work that requires a lot of knowledge varies from person to person as well as depending on circumstances, according to the professor of cognitive psychology. “In many books they say you have to start with the toughest jobs in the morning, but that’s nonsense. Everyone has different peak times and conditions are different: if you sleep badly one night, the morning may not be the best time.”

What is effective is the start-up and closing rituals on your workday. Taking a walk at the start of your day can be a ritual like this. “Then you make a clear transition from private to work, making it easier for you to enter work mode,” Van der Stigchel explains. Focus experts say the rituals also help you quit your job at the end of the day. Van der Stigchel: “At the end of the day, look at the tasks you’ve done that you haven’t yet dealt with, make some final notes, maybe even change and arrange your things. Really, take the time for that, so you’re not in the workflow when it’s running.” Children are towards you. ”

You also have to build this type of practice in between switching tasks. The fact that it is important to take a break from time to time and distance yourself from your computer is nothing new. Yet – while it may be counterproductive – we tend to skip breaks during busy workdays first. “So make sure that taking a break becomes a habit,” Van der Stigchel advises. ” And strictly adhere to the cut-off agreements you entered into with yourself. “If the meeting ends, while you have a scheduled break, you say, ‘I have to go to my next appointment. It doesn’t matter it’s about an appointment with yourself.'”

Finally, Van der Stijl: “Don’t punish yourself if not all of the advice is good for you. Bringing a number of advice into your work life is really cool.”