We have all experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed. Whether it is work related or in our personal life, we know this feeling all too well. In our daily lives, we often try to accomplish so much in such little time. It is important to understand that you can truly only focus on one task at a time, even if you believe you can multitask. Multitasking can be more time consuming. Over time, I have developed some tips and techniques that have helped me in completing everyday tasks without feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I have been using the following six ways to manage this overwhelming feeling and I hope you find them useful.
6 ways to remain focused on the task at hand:
1. Prioritize your tasks – assess what needs to be done first and calculate the time required to finish the task at hand. We cannot do everything at once, no matter how much we would like to. That’s why we work our way down the list, from top to bottom.
2. Set daily goals – make a to-do list and stick to it. Without a to-do list, I would feel lost and waste time figuring out what needs to be done. There are endless small tasks, and therefore I make a list as I go along. There is so much satisfaction when we can tick off the tasks which have been completed. Once this is done, you can go ahead and create a to-do list for the next day so you can get to it right away and feel a sense of accomplishment. This technique helps me to stay focused and get things done.
3. Eliminate distractions – this is where focus really plays an important role. I can’t help checking social media on my phone, responding to text messages and doing everything unrelated to what I need to focus on. It is a constant struggle to eliminate such distractions. To avoid this, make a point of checking your social media twice a day; morning and evenings. Respond to important text messages and emails only. I had to change my habit of responding immediately to all text messages. I have to make a conscious decision not to have the urge to respond to every text message I receive right away.
4. Take breaks – give yourself the freedom to relax and unwind during tasks. When we are busy, taking a break is the last thing on our mind. However, a relaxed mind makes better decisions and works more effectively. Taking a ten minute break after every hour will relax the mind and allow you to work more efficiently.
5. Have a strict schedule – figure out what time of the day you are most productive. I know I work better in the mornings. I make a point of tackling the most difficult tasks in the morning when I am efficient and can accomplish more. What time of the day works best for you? Some of us are night owls and can work better at night. Even at work, I prioritize my tasks that are complex, and I work on them in the mornings. Having a strict schedule that works for you helps you to prioritize and focus.
6. Deep breathing – deep breathing has helped me to stay calm and catch up with my breath. I experience this out of breath feeling quite often, which makes it hard to even talk. Incorporating deep breathing exercises into my daily routine helps with the out of breath challenge, helps me stay calm, and definitely allows me to focus more clearly. As a bonus, your skin will thank you for it, as overtime it starts to glow because as blood circulation improves, more oxygen goes to all parts of the body.
These six ways listed above have helped me over time, and they have become almost a daily habit. However, like anything else, they might work for some, and might not work for others. Give it a try and see how it goes. Best of luck!
Join me next time, where the topic will be how to motivate yourself to exercise (on a regular basis, and not just once a month).
