If you want to be more focused at work, say goodbye to these 7 habits

We all strive for success and are told to develop habits to support us in this effort. But sometimes our habits hinder us more than they help.

You might reflect on your workday and struggle to pinpoint why you can’t seem to stay focused or wonder if the strategies you’ve been using are actually effective.

How do you determine which routines are holding you back, or if your lack of focus is due to normal workday burnout?

After observing my own work habits and those of my colleagues, I’ve compiled a list of 7 habits that may be impacting your ability to stay focused at work. If these sound familiar, it might be time to say goodbye to these old routines.

1) Constant multitasking

We all like to believe that we can effectively juggle multiple tasks at the same time, but the truth is that this approach often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and unproductive.

You may find it difficult to focus on one task when your mind is scattered across several others, leading to a lack of progress in any of them.

Multitasking seems efficient on the surface, but research has shown that it can actually reduce productivity by as much as 40%. It’s a habit that is easy to fall into but hard to break.

However, by committing to tackling one task at a time and minimizing distractions, you can greatly enhance your ability to stay focused and increase your productivity at work.

2) Checking emails constantly

Speaking of multitasking, a big part of that often includes obsessively checking emails. Remember how we just talked about the pitfalls of trying to do too much at once? Well, email checking is a prime example of this trap.

I remember a time when I used to check my email every few minutes, thinking that staying on top of my inbox was a sign of efficiency and dedication. I would stop whatever task I was working on to respond to every new email as it arrived, believing that immediate responses were expected and appreciated.

However, I soon realized that this constant interruption was taking a toll on my productivity. Every time I broke away from a task to check an email, it took me several minutes to regain my focus and get back into the flow of work.

Since then, I’ve allocated specific times throughout the day for checking and responding to emails. This simple change has made a significant difference in my ability to stay focused and get more done during my workday.

If you’re in the habit of constantly checking your emails, consider setting aside designated times for this task. It could be the key to boosting your focus and productivity at work.

3) Poor workspace organization

After curbing my email addiction, another thing that struck me was my chaotic workspace. It’s kind of like how clutter in our email inboxes can disrupt our focus, right? But this time, it’s the physical clutter around us.

I used to believe that a cluttered desk was a sign of a busy mind. My workspace was often littered with papers, sticky notes, and half-empty coffee cups.

I thought this chaos was a necessary part of the creative process until I realized how much time and energy I was wasting just trying to find the things I needed.

The reality is that disorganization can be a major distraction. A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind, making it difficult to focus on the task at hand.

Since then, I have made a conscious effort to keep my workspace tidy and organized. Now, instead of wasting time searching for misplaced documents or tools, I can devote all my attention to the work in front of me. The improvement in my focus and productivity has been remarkable.

If your workspace is in disarray, it may be time to say goodbye to the habit of poor organization. Take some time each day to tidy up and create a workspace that promotes focus and efficiency.

It’s easy to think that a tidy workspace is all you need, but neglecting to rest is like running a car non-stop without a break. Let’s unpack why powering through without pause isn’t the productivity hack we thought it was.

4) Skipping breaks

Many of us are guilty of powering through our workday without taking a moment to rest, believing that non-stop work equates to higher productivity.

This habit, however, can lead to burnout and a significant drop in focus and efficiency.

Taking regular breaks, even for just a few minutes at a time, allows your mind to reset and recharge. It may seem counterintuitive, but scheduling short breaks throughout your day can actually increase your productivity and enhance your focus when you return to your tasks.

Ignoring the need for breaks is a habit that many of us need to let go. Instead, embrace the concept of resting to refocus. By doing so, you’re not only promoting better work habits but also better overall health.

5) Ignoring physical well-being

Now, while we’re on the topic of taking breaks, it’s a good moment to consider our physical well-being. It’s not just about resting our minds, but also caring for our bodies. 

There was a period when I would sit at my desk for hours on end, neglecting the importance of physical movement for my mental clarity. I’d skip meals, not drink enough water, and ignore the signs of fatigue, believing that these sacrifices were necessary for productivity.

But this neglect of my physical well-being was harming my ability to focus. Studies have shown that regular movement can boost cognitive function and productivity. Dehydration and hunger can also lead to decreased concentration.

I’ve since made it a point to stay hydrated, take regular meal breaks, and incorporate short exercise routines into my workday. These changes have had a positive impact on my concentration levels and overall work experience.

If you’re neglecting your physical needs during your workday, it’s time to break that habit. Remember to hydrate, eat well, and move regularly. Your body and your mind will thank you.

6) Working in a noisy environment

Taking care of our physical needs at work is key, but the environment we work in plays a huge role too. You know how a calm mind and body are essential for focus? The same goes for our surroundings.

You might think that you’ve grown accustomed to the background noise of your work environment – the chatter of colleagues, the hum of machinery, or the constant pinging of email notifications.

However, studies have shown that exposure to noise in the workplace can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress levels.

Noise disrupts our concentration, making tasks that require focus significantly more challenging. Even low levels of noise can have a detrimental effect. One study found that office noise can reduce cognitive performance by up to 66%.

If you’re finding it hard to focus at work, take a moment to assess your environment. Could it be quieter? Consider investing in noise-cancelling headphones or seek out a quiet space where you can work undisturbed. Breaking this habit could lead to a marked improvement in your focus and productivity.

7) Perfectionism

I used to be someone who strived for absolute perfection in everything I did. I believed that every task, no matter how small, needed to be completed flawlessly. This pursuit of perfection often led to procrastination and stress as I spent excessive time on minor details.

However, perfectionism can actually be detrimental to productivity and focus. Striving for perfection can lead to unnecessary stress and often results in less work being done.

I’ve since learned to embrace the concept of “good enough”. Rather than obsessing over every detail, I now focus on completing tasks efficiently and effectively. This shift in perspective has greatly improved my productivity and reduced my stress levels.

If you find yourself striving for perfection in every task, consider whether this is truly beneficial or if it’s a habit you should say goodbye to. Strive instead for progress over perfection – this can lead to increased focus and productivity.