Are you in the middle of your work day when a thought suddenly pops into your head, and you can’t get out of it? You were so in the zone, and now you’re distracted and can’t quite regain your focus. You have a deadline to beat but are unable to do so because you are paralyzed by your overthinking brain and couldn’t let go of that thought in your head.
There’s always a solution to everything, even if it feels overwhelmingly powerful at the moment. You might feel helpless at this point, but you can help yourself by taking one step at a time. Before we lay out our suggestions, you must commit in your head that your goal at the moment is to finish your task and not entertain any thoughts that might distract you from achieving that goal.
Carrying this commitment, follow these few tips:
1. Turn off your notifications.
Your notifications must have been turned off from the very start. Thoughts have triggers, and that idea must have popped in your head because of something you saw on your phone, on your laptop, or in your workspace. Turn these notifications off, so you don’t lose your groove again.
2. Go to a different location.
You must have been working in an environment that does not motivate or encourage you to be focused. You must have been lying in bed or on the sofa close to the television. You must have had boisterous nieces or nephews within your working area. Your mother must have called a million times for you to help her with a chore. If you don’t want to get interrupted, it’s time to get up and transfer locations.
3. Stretch. Take a deep breath.
Sometimes, a thought pops into your head out of nowhere. It must have been something that you let pass before, and since you didn’t address it then, it’s coming back and hunting you again. When this happens, sometimes all you need is to stand up and stretch. Take a step back from what you breathe deeply. You can also drink water if you like. Let the thought pass, or let it know that you’ll be tackling it later once you’re done with work.
4. Do not escape your thoughts over and over again.
Picking up from our last point above, stop escaping whatever is haunting you. Address it. Feel the feelings. Analyze your thoughts if it has been recurring and has been bothering you for quite some time. You don’t necessarily have to do anything with them but what’s absolutely important is that you be able to release them out of your system, especially if their nature is troublesome. Start writing in your journal. Maybe you can draw them and give them color. Or you can talk it out to your counselor or to a friend who has space to listen to you. Face your thoughts because that’s the only way you will learn how to handle them.
5. Invest in tools that will help you finish your tasks even if your thoughts are elsewhere.
It’s not advisable to continue doing something when you’re distracted. But there are many times that you have to finish something because there’s a deadline or your boss expects it at a certain time. You need to boost your self-confidence and have that mindset that you'll finish your task by investing in the right tools. Ergonomic pieces of furniture have the power to turn things around for you because you’ll have a renewed perception of your work. Because you have the tools, you feel more empowered that you’ll finish your tasks on time. Because you do not feel any body discomfort, you are less distracted and more motivated to work. Because you are not concerned with any health issues, you are able to give it all to your work. When you stand or sit down while working with proper posture, you gain more confidence and appear more put-up together, ready to face the challenges of the workday.
6. Do what you can in advance.
When you do your tasks in advance, it doesn’t matter if you’ll get distracted at some point in the day. You are far ahead of your deadlines, so you don’t have to worry about meeting them because you have already finished them in advance. This, of course, only applies to those jobs that you can do ahead of time. At present, you can be working on your next tasks. We go back to our aforementioned point that you need the right tools to help you work efficiently and productively.
A trusted brand such as FlexiSpot can help you achieve your goals at work. It can help you stay focused and fight distractions such as interrupting thoughts in your head.
Ergonomic pieces to work with:
Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair
This ergonomic chair from FlexiSpot proudly features a 3D lumbar support system, 135-degree lounge tilt, and 4D adjustable armrests. The elegantly curved backrest will conform to the neck and spine that will, provide the maximum headrest and lumbar support. The armrests are adjustable in four dimensions that contour effortlessly to the arms and elbows. It is made of Italian-imported chenille and K+R temperature sensitive fiber that will provide maximum ventilation and the most delicate fabrics. It also features the best-in-industry Samhongsa Class 4 Gas Lift, which guarantees that this chair will be able to handle whatever you throw at it.
Comhar All-in-One Standing Desk Wooden Top-48”
Standing desks will break your long hours of sitting on your chair by allowing you. To conveniently adjust the height of your standing desk at any time of the day. This does not only address the health issues caused by prolonged sitting, but it also helps you to stay focused and alert when the task has become long and repetitive. This standing desk, particularly, has a smooth and easy transition from 28.3” to 47.6”. It features a spacious desktop measuring 48” x 24” without taking up a lot of floor space. The legs are made of powder-coated steel tubing that is scratch and stain-resistant. The control panel allows you to program four-height memory presets and also comes with USB ports. It has an anti-collision function that ensures your objects or devices are protected while the desktop is in motion.
7. Practice meditation.
When you meditate at least five minutes a day, you’ll find it easier to brush off your thoughts and just let them pass. It’s the truth, thoughts come and go. You are the story that you tell yourself too. If you are able to control your brain, you can tell it to focus all its energy on finishing your task as opposed to entertaining wandering thoughts. You’d want to be skilled at it by practicing meditation regularly. You’ll notice a big difference over time.
