Feel like you can't concentrate? And your mind just darts from one thing to the next - an email in your inbox, that file on your desk, your phone? Does it almost feel like you have ADHD?
While you may not have full blown ADHD you are more than likely having difficulty concentrating and focusing at work which can easily leave important tasks and projects left undone or simply fall through the cracks.
To help you and your brain get back on track I am sharing three common mistakes that derail focus and how to get back on track.
Mistake#1: Not getting enough omega-3 fatty essential acids. Omega-3s are great for the brain. Research has shown that it improves memory, can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease and best of all can improve concentration. Typically we do not get enough of them into our diet and we get way too much omega-6. Especially if you eat a lot of processed food the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 can be 1:20 or even 1:50 when it should ideally be 1:1. Get more omega-3s into your diet. Great sources of omega-3s are fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna even krill oil. It's best to get wild caught and not farm raised versions. Some good plant based sources are chia seeds and walnuts.
Mistake #2: Having your smartphone tied to your hip. This may literally be the case for some. For others it means constantly checking your phone to see the latest message, post or tweet or to look something up on the Internet, You feel like you have to be available to everyone. And the thought of being separated from the phone causes anxiety. There is even a name for it - nomophobia. Worst of all it is highly distracting and derails focus. Take a break from your phone - turn it off, put it in a draw or ask someone to take it away for a little while for safekeeping. Use this break especially when working on tasks that require a lot of thought and concentration.
Mistake #3: Saying yes to too many things. Saying yes to every plea and request. It is nice to be helpful or maybe you want to work hard and get recognition for all the great work you are doing. The best type of recognition comes from a job well done. A job well done doesn't get well done if there are competing things that use up your valuable energy and concentration that is best used for important things. Learn to say no to the little distractions and requests that do not support, relate to or further your tasks at work. Learn to say no when and where it counts. Instead of saying yes to every request think of another way the request can be fulfilled without you. It may even require talking to your boss to plan what to prioritize and take off your plate or rather, as Greg Mckeon explains in his book: "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less", focus on what is truly essential.
** For more strategies to improve your focus, join me for a not-be-to-missed webinar: "Health & Happiness: How to Find Balance". To register click here. **