I’ve noticed that so many people are feeling overwhelmed, scattered, and stressed – so much so that focus and effective work become incredibly difficult.
So what can we do to be more effective in the midst of this scattered, overwhelmed state?
Today I’m going to share the top three things I do to help myself find focus and effectiveness even when I’m at my most scattered.
The Interstitial Pause
The first thing I recommend is a pause between anything you do — I call it the Interstitial Pause.
Basically, instead of switching from one task to the next, I recommend a pause.
- If you answer an email, take a pause — do you want to keep answering emails, or is there something more important you’d like to do?
- If you finish working on a task, take a pause — would you like to take a break, or choose the next task from your list to focus on.If you notice yourself automatically opening an app or website that’s a distraction, take a pause — is there something more important you’d like to focus on?
- If you’ve just been given a bunch of messages and tasks, take a pause — add them to your list, and prioritize, choosing one thing to focus on (more on that below).
- If you’ve been working for awhile, take a pause — would you like to stretch your legs, get some water, clear your head?
This pause helps us navigate chaotic waters, and helps us to be more intentional about our day.