by Anishametra Saravanan 

Your Word Doc or Excel Spreadsheet may be opened but forces beyond your control are chipping away at your ability to concentrate. Instead of beating yourself up over being unproductive, let’s get to the root of the problem and uncover the four (4) common reasons that could be hindering your ability to concentrate at work:  

Feeling bleary-eyed and foggy, like you’re trudging through cement?  

Here’s a quick prognosis for you: You’re probably exhausted and it’s hindering your ability to concentrate at work. A study conducted found a direct correlation between sleep deprivation and impaired cognitive function – including your working memory and cognitive speed.  

In lieu of a nap at your desk, there are a couple of things you can do to wake yourself up, including: 

• Taking a quick walk. It gets your blood pumping and exposure to daylight enhances your attention and work performance. 
• Chronic dehydration is one of the most common symptoms of sleepiness. Instead of falling for the coffee temptation, grab a big glass of water. 
• Catch some quality zzz’s. It’s time you prioritise rest and give yourself the 7 to 9 hours of sleep you deserve.  

In the labyrinth of work and life, your focus dances to the rhythm of your emotions. Outside forces, particularly negative news, wield the power to sway this delicate balance, impacting your mood and ability to concentrate.  

The same could also be said about exciting news. Increased adrenaline levels can lead to anxiety, which results in—you guessed it—decreased work performance.  

Firstly, it’s good to acknowledge what may be distracting you. Then, re-centre yourself by focusing on something more visceral like your breathing to help you stay mindful and grounded. 

As stressful as multitasking might be, it can be an ingrained habit. Our brains are adaptable, and we’ve literally “trained our brains to be unfocused”. Although multitasking isn’t always bad, it can sabotage your productivity. When your focus feels depleted, that’s a solid sign you have way too many plates spinning at one time.

• Create an environment devoid of distractions (i.e., putting your phone away, closing a few tabs in your browser, tuning out the world with your headphones, etc.). 
• Make a list of your top 3 priorities for the day. A list will keep you focused and help prevent you from getting swept up in the minutiae. 
• Break your day into smaller chunks. Scheduled breaks will give you a chance to take a breather and refocus. 

Perhaps you’d rather watch paint dry than tackle that report you’ve been putting off for a while now. We procrastinate on an unpleasant task to avoid uncomfortable feelings of boredom, inadequacy, or fear. 

Conquer your least excitable task first before anything else on your list. This way you know the worst is behind you and everything else on your to-do list will seem bearable or even exciting. 

Identifying these factors can help you regain your focus and increase productivity, allowing you to tackle your tasks with renewed clarity and efficiency. By understanding these obstacles, you’ll be better equipped to implement practical solutions and create a more focused and conducive work environment for yourself and take on each day with ease. And always remember: 

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