How to Improve Your Concentration During Work Hours
Working can be tough when you are easily distracted. For virtual assistants who are working from home, this is doubly true. The setup in your home office is completely different from the usual office setting. You are basically given a lot of freedom at home, and self-management is vital if you want to accomplish your goals for the day.
The household environment can be very comfortable and without any prying eyes, you can just bring out your phone and be easily get tempted to play games or spend time on other fun applications. Then you have your other family members in the household, the television set, the karaoke set and what have you’s. Next thing you know, you have piles and piles of unfinished work. Staying focused is challenging, but there are ways to improve concentration easily. Here are some helpful tips:
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Make sure you are well-rested.
Your attention span can easily deteriorate if you don’t sleep enough. Lack of sleep contributes to lack of mental alertness and concentration. If you want to produce great work all the time, make sleep a priority. At least 6-8 hours of it should suffice. Never sacrifice your resting time because this can contribute to fatigue, mood swings and other health issues that will derail you from working efficiently.
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Get healthy.
Eat well and exercise. Working out is a great way to improve your concentration. There are many exercises that require you to focus, so improve your physical health while elevating your mental health as well.
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Create a work station that is conducive to work.
Set up a table that is clutter free and pair it with a good chair that is comfortable while giving ample support. Place your work station near the window to have natural lighting and good ventilation. Most importantly, find a room that is silent so concentrating won’t be such a challenge.
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Discipline yourself.
Train yourself to have discipline. Work hours should be devoted to working alone. Break the habit of opening your social media accounts, chatting with friends and doing anything that is counterproductive.
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Give yourself a time limit.
Before you start with any task, allot a period of time that a certain task must be completed. This gives you a healthy form of pressure so you can get challenged to complete the task at hand.
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Detach yourself from your emotions.
Personal problems can get overwhelming, and they can sometimes be the reason why you can’t function well at work. Acknowledge these negative emotions, but do not give them the power to control your thoughts. It’s easier said than done, but it can be managed. Build a routine that can help you release bad vibes and help you concentrate better at work.
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Practice.
Just like learning any new skill, practicing these daily will help you form this into a habit. Make a checklist of dos and don’ts during your work hours so you are don’t easily slip back to doing bad habits.
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Listen to classical music.
A lot of virtual assistants swear by this. Classical music helps you focus while working. Experiment by listening to music by Bach, Mozart, Handel and Chopin and see how your ideas flow. Even pregnant women are advised to listen to classical music because it helps with the baby’s brain development.
If you want to thrive in the VA industry, being able to concentrate is one of the key skills you need. Not only should you be able to finish tasks on time, you are also expected to be detail oriented. Focus is key. Learn it, practice it and make it a discipline.
Next: 7 Simple Things You Can Do to Power Up Your Work Day at Home
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