Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Thrive at Work

April 28, 2021 Trouble focusing? Here are 6 ideas…

With so many distractions in today’s world, it is sometimes VERY difficult to concentrate. Add in the reality of working from home (something that has many of us blurring the lines between work time and personal time) and juggling multiple responsibilities, and it’s easy to see why so many of us are having difficulties focusing.

I won’t say I have THE solution for bringing focus to your life (people operate differently, of course, and there is no “one size fits all” solution), but I do have several ideas that could work. Try out a few, see what resonates with you, and keep at it. And if you start to lose focus down the road? Switch things up and try a new strategy!

1. Get Into Airplane Mode

If you have to do something that doesn’t require you to be online (writing a report, filling out an Excel spreadsheet, etc.), try putting your laptop and phone into airplane mode. Many of our distractions come from emails, social media, or mindless internet searches, and with the click of a button, you can make them all go away! It may seem odd at first to be disconnected, but it is also empowering and refreshing. Try spending an hour or so in airplane mode before popping back online.

2. Take Control of Emails

I’ve talked about emails in past blog posts (like this ONE) and how they tend to control our days. Instead of letting your inbox manage you, start taking charge of your inbox! Set a limit on the number of times you check and respond to emails (three times per day is a good place to start) and do your best to not get derailed by “urgent” requests. It’s not up to you to stomp out every little fire that crops up, AND it’s healthy to set clear email boundaries (like not responding after work hours).

3. Step Away

If you need to boost your motivation and focus, sometimes it’s a good idea to simply step away. Get up, leave your laptop, and go on a walk or read a book. Do something completely different for a while–something that will refresh and rejuvenate you. Even enjoying a cup of coffee or tea AWAY from your desk can be helpful. It’s all about the change of scenery and doing something non-work-related for a while.

4. Listen to Instrumental Music

Certain music can help boost your concentration and give you a burst of energy. Instrumental music can be especially good for focusing, because you won’t accidentally tune in to the lyrics! Try searching for epic movie soundtracks, ambient music, studying music, or binaural beats.

5. Exercise

Exercise is both a mood-booster and an energy-booster. If you’ve been feeling lethargic lately, try adding a few workouts into your weekly routine. Even if you’re not an “athletic type,” you can still find something that works for you. Start small. Go for brisk walks, practice some gentle yoga, or try zumba. There’s something out there that is right for you!

6. Set a Timer

One great way to increase productivity is to set a timer and JUST WORK. Try half an hour or forty-five minutes at first–something to get you going. Once the timer is running, commit to doing work, and only work. No checking your email, no surfing the web. Pick a task and do it! If your timer sounds and you feel like continuing your work, set another timer and keep going.

We all could use a little help with concentration these days. Pick a few of these methods and give them a try! And if you have any other approaches you’d like to share, I’d love to hear about them. Thank you!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.

Tags: , , , , ,

December 9, 2020 Adapting to Permanent Change

If you asked us at the beginning of the COVID pandemic what life would be like in December, most people would probably say, “December?! Surely, life will be back to normal by then.”

The reality, however, is that life is STILL different, there are more COVID cases than ever, and we’re still in for a long road ahead. Even if we do manage to get the pandemic under control, it’s certain that life will never quite be the same.

The number one change I’m anticipating is this: Work From Home (WFH) will become the new normal.

Are you ready for that change? What will you need to do to adapt?

In the not-so-distant past, working from home was not even an option for most people. We were expected to go into the office five days per week, 52 weeks per year. At the drop of a hat, that changed. People set up makeshift offices at home, and we began communicating with co-workers exclusively over email or video conferencing. We figured out dozens of tiny details (from childcare to finding a home printer/scanner), and then we dove in.

And, do you know what? Most people have been able to pull it off. Sure, we might miss our co-workers or miss the change of scenery, but many people have found that they enjoy certain aspects of working from home. The casual dress code, the ability to skip the daily commute, the money savings from eating lunch at home, the freedom to take an afternoon break–all these benefits have got people thinking about making WFH a permanent change.

Are you ready for that change?

Is your home office set up the way you like it? Have you figured out your new routine? If not, I urge you to give these items some thought. How can you, for example, set up a fairly disciplined schedule so you make sure you get your work done on time (and are not distracted by things like dirty dishes!)? How can you make sure you have an effective morning routine?

One way to amp up your WFH productivity is to think of it like you would think about working from an office. Commit to waking up at a set time, establish a morning routine (walk the dog, make coffee, stretch, etc.), and then begin your day. You might work in sprints (setting a timer and fully immersing yourself in a project for an hour or two) or be on the clock from a certain time in the morning to a certain time in the afternoon.

Figure out what works for you and ease into your new routine. Remember, your new routine may NOT look like your old work routine. For example, if you find that you tend to have an afternoon slump (Daniel Pink, who studies productivity, aptly calls this an afternoon “trough”), take a break mid-afternoon. You might exercise, stretch, do a crossword puzzle, or even take a short nap. This may mean you’ll work later in the afternoon, BUT your brief respite will ideally make you more productive than you would have been otherwise (meaning you’ll potentially complete the same amount of work in much less time).

And, about the home office: Be sure to invest in comfortable, ergonomic furniture. No one can do their best work if they’re putting up with a creaky, uncomfortable chair and a crowded desk all day. Make your workspace a place you want to be. That, alone, can make a huge difference.

Working from home IS becoming the new normal, whether you’re ready or not. Chances are, many workplaces will adopt a hybrid of the WFH model, but even so, it’s best to be prepared for this to become a permanent reality. With a suitable WFH setup and an effective routine, you’ll be prepared for whatever the work future holds!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.

Tags: , , , , ,

November 25, 2020 6 Handy Work From Home Tips

work from home

With the COVID pandemic, many of us have had to adjust to working from home (WFH), but unfortunately, not everyone has fallen into a groove. Some people still feel out of sorts or less productive at home than in the workplace. With the pandemic still lingering AND many companies thinking about making WFH a permanent state, it’s a good idea to think about amping up your productivity.

Here are 6 practical Work From Home tips to help you get on track:

1. Find Your Morning Groove

When working from an office, you naturally fall into a morning routine. You get dressed, perhaps make a cup of coffee, and commute to work by car/bike/public transit. With WFH, that comfortable routine gets obliterated. You might wake up later or stay in your pajamas or eat breakfast at odd hours.

This week, commit to following a strict routine. Get up at the same time, eat your meals on a consistent schedule, exercise at a set time during the day. Following a routine can help get your brain in “work mode” right away.

Another helpful tip: Do NOT check your email right away. Instead, tackle the one project that demands the most concentration. Work on it for an hour or 90 minutes, THEN check your email. You’ll find that you’re able to accomplish more during the day when you practice this healthy habit.

2. Get Dressed

Okay, sure. Maybe you DO get dressed in the morning when you work from home, but you probably don’t dress like you do when you go into the office. If you find that you’re feeling less attentive and less productive at home, try dressing in office attire this week. Notice how it makes you feel. Are you more productive? Do you feel more professional?

Dressing for the office can put you in a work mindset and make you feel more in control of your day.

3. Cut Distractions

If you find that you tend to check social media or hop onto YouTube during the day, try installing a browser extension to temporarily block those websites. Search for “block social media,” and you should find many different blocking programs.

If you’re distracted by your surroundings instead (dirty dishes, for instance, or laundry), try keeping yourself on a strict time schedule. For instance: From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 you can only do work, but between 1:00 and 1:30, you’re allowed to take a short break to tackle a household chore or two.

4. Set Timers

If you’re having trouble concentrating during the day, trying focusing on a single project for a set amount of time. Pick a project, close your email, and set your timer for an hour or 90 minutes. ONLY work on that project. Do NOT multi-task! You might be amazed by how much you can get done when you’re singular in focus.

5. Take Charge of Emails

If you tend to get derailed by emails throughout the day and feel like you’re always trying to stamp out little fires (Urgent request! I need your help with XYZ! Please respond, ASAP!), practice setting healthy email boundaries. Try only checking your email three times per day–once in the morning, once midday, and once toward the end of the day–or even twice per day, if you can get away with it.

Taking charge of your emails can help free up your schedule so you can pay attention to the crucial projects that you have on your plate.

6. Set Your Own Schedule

If you’re feeling disjointed and fed up with all the video meetings, emails, and phone calls that seem to command your day, resolve to take charge of your schedule. If you keep a public e-calendar, be sure to set aside blocks that are strictly YOUR time–time for you to focus on the projects you need to complete.

(For more tips on setting healthy boundaries, take a look at my recent blog post.)

Part of controlling your own schedule means saying NO to certain requests. If you already have too much going on in a given day, don’t be afraid to draw a line in the sand and turn down a request to meet. You can always suggest meeting on a different date.

Developing good habits while you WFH will not only help you successfully navigate working out of your house, but can also assist you when you begin working out of an office. Many of these tips are applicable to work both in and outside of a traditional workplace. It’s all about establishing an effective routine and creating healthy boundaries.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.

Tags: , , , , , ,