There has been a lot of hype in recent years about ‘magic supplements’ that can increase an individual’s productivity or intelligence. Unfortunately (or perhaps not if you believe some of the dystopian scenarios), this type of a product does not exist. But maybe we don’t need a drug to do this. Maybe we can focus on increasing our focus – as long as we can put our mind to it, we can make it happen! Sounds like a logical circle with no end, right? ‘I can increase my focus if I can just put my mind to it’…riiiight… So we went ahead and did some research and observed some people that we consider to be highly productive, and this is what we found:
- Healthy Breakfast & Snacks – This one cannot be understated, and has been a focus for nearly every productivity and focus coach since they first started. Your brain (and body) need fuel in order to operate at any level. The cleaner the fuel that you put into them, the more efficient they will run. Make sure to give them what they need and remember that not all fats are bad. Naturally occurring fats such as those in almonds, avocados or fish, can be very beneficial to the proper function of our brains and therefore increase productivity.
- Exercise – Another no-brainer right? But WHEN you exercise can make a huge impact. For many years, I exercised at night and felt clear headed and focused just before laying down for bed. It took years for me to realize that I was wasting this valuable boost in productivity. You might be thinking that exercising in the morning is the right way to start your day – and there are many people and studies that would agree – but for those of us that are night owls, there needs to be another way. I still exercise at night, but the difference now is that I save some of my valuable side-hustle tasks to complete AFTER I work out and while I still have that ‘runners high’.
- Break Down Tasks – Many times productivity can be impacted by the sheer anxiety that a large task can cause. Until you’re used to completing big projects, getting started can be the hardest part. To help with this, try an exercise where you break down the different components of the project before you begin. Try to get them down to a granular work item that can be completed in 2 hours or less. This way you can make incremental progress and focus on an easily attainable goal every day, rather than being overcome with dread by a big task.
- Reset your Mind – There are a lot of ways to do this as well. Our minds become clogged during the day. As we get things done and make various decisions, we use more and more of our mental energy. The easiest way to give your mind a break and restore some balance is to take a quick walk. Getting outside and soaking in some sun can be a wonderful thing for your health and focus. Another way is to spend a few minutes meditating; close your eyes and clear your head of any thoughts. As thoughts enter your head, picture yourself acknowledging and releasing them. I like to think of it like holding a bird and setting it free on a beautiful spring day. What could help you forget about the impending deadline more than that 😉 ? But really – meditating works. The idea is to temporarily forget your stresses and clear your mind, not permanently.
There you have it. 4 easy ways to help you focus. One that we also find personally beneficial but that is not listed due to its controversial nature: caffeine. Coffee tastes great and gives you a kick. The important thing is to not over-do it. I recommend taking a break from coffee for a couple of weeks every now and then. When you drink that first cup after a break, you won’t know what hit you! Check back for more tips and don’t forget to SIGNUP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER:
