How do I stay focused on my work?
HumanOS Volume VII
Hello, everyone! This is the last of the Working From Home series by Thomas Frank. Be sure to check out setting up your remote workspace and planning your day from home. This week's edition is centered around staying focused.
I’m also really excited to announce a new medium for me to share my thoughts, tips, and ideas (including some information that doesn’t get put into these newsletters): My Twitter.
I’m just starting out, but feel free to drop a follow and message me so I can know you came from here 😃
Thomas Frank - Working From Home: How to Stay Focused 🍎
🔑 Why should I watch this video?
Just like last week: Other than being a productivity guru, Thomas Frank has spent the majority of his career working from home. He is a great resource for those of us who just now are gearing up for the upcoming year.
🔑 Why is working from home so much harder than working anywhere else?
There is a lack of separation between work and personal life - similar to last week, there are so many distractions!
🔑 What is the #1 way of staying focused?
Setting an intention
The most useful thing you can do before working is setting a strong intention first
Tasks that don't have an intention (like checking emails) are easy and give you a sense of accomplishment BUT
They also cause you to procrastinate on work that you should be doing
Usually a net negativity
🔑 How many intentions should I set?
Rule of Three - based on The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
Choose no more than three meaningful tasks that you want to get done
List smaller ones below and focus on them after you finish the meaningful ones
Look at the list and choose just one item to work on
🔑 Why do distractions exist?
If you want your intentions to turn into actions, you need to eliminate distractions
Your brain is wired to notice the smallest things
Because our tasks are hard, we will do anything to avoid them
Novelty bias - anything new is distracting - keep Slack, iMessage, etc. closed
🔑 What are the 4 different kinds of distraction and how do I deal with them?
No control distractions
These are hard to plan for ahead of time
Just deal with them and keep focused on your task ASAP
Control distractions
Phones are the biggest offender
Limiting screen time is not enough
Turn on do not disturb mode and out of reach
Laptops
turn off instant messaging and even wifi if necessary
Video games
Put console or power cord in other room
Out of sight, out of mind
This is what inspired the AIDA framework used by Marketeers
Attention ➡️ Interest ➡️ Desire ➡️ Action
Order of the operations that guide the actions we take
Remove any potential distractions before you get working
🔑 How should I approach difficult, large tasks?
Different parts of our brain approach difficult tasks in the same way as physical pain
Getting momentum is helpful
Reducing the resistance to getting the task started helps to build up momentum
Break up tasks into subtasks (narrow your scope of intention)
Commit to a specific amount of time
Choose tasks based around this
All problems are easier once you break them into smaller parts; easier to see angles of attack
Don’t forget to check out last week's newsletter on planning out your day and thanks for reading the seventh issue of HumanOS! Also, I recently made a Twitter with daily tips and ideas that you all might like!
- Ariz, HumanOS Creator ⚡️
P.S. I added a few more fantastic Notion templates for you all to use, check them out!
👨🏽🎓 Struggling to stay productive during quarantine? Check out Study with me
💭 Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! Email me back!