Getting to Flow

It takes 7 minutes to get into the zone and to really focus on a task. As we are all well aware, we are constantly bombarded with distractions, especially most of us working from home. I have heard many statistics about how long it takes to get back into flow after a distraction and most recently heard it takes 10 minutes. So if we think about all of the times we are distracted in a day, we had better have a plan to deal with it if we want to get anything done. I took a virtual productivity workshop last Saturday and took away many tips, some of which I already knew, though great to get a refesher and get reinvigorated. My biggest take away is a philosophy I already embrace - to go back to basics. Here are some of the gems I picked up to become more productive and get to flow quicker.

• Avoid Distractions - We have gotten used to managing our distractions and not being aware how they are stealing our time and productivity. A huge distraction can be our workspace. Clear away the clutter and make it as open as possible. If you are a person that keeps tabs open to all the pages you intend to go back to, embrace using One Tab to hide them though still have easy access. It is important to turn off our notifications on our phones and computers so that we aren't binged and dinged every time a text or e-mail comes through.
• Get reacquainted with the Pomodoro Technique, a brain-based proven concept that we work best in 25 minute increments with a 5 minute break in between. This one technique alone will focus your energy and increase your productivy. There are many count down clocks on the market that support the Pomodoro Technique. Here is more information about it from my Summer 2020 newsletter.
• Commit to your Power Hour - this hour should be devoted to a project that is important that you keep putting off. It could be a goal you want to achieve, but you never get around to focus on it. Ideally the speaker said if your schedule allows devote one power hour to personal goals and one to work.
• Time Block - we all put appointments on our calendars and reoccuring meetings. Though most of us don't block our time for work. I'm not suggesting to get into the minutia of scheduling, however the power hour(s) should be blocked and the top 3 tasks/actions should be identified and blocked on your schedule.

Don't try to make too many changes at once. Try to sort out how to minimize the distractions and by going back to basics before long we all will be getting to flow and will enjoy our enhanced productivity.