One of the greatest attributes I have observed in leaders and professionals generally has been the ability to focus on the moment and the immediate challenge. With to do lists as long as your arm, IM’s arriving every few minutes and a week’s worth of unanswered emails it is incredibly easy to get distracted from the present task. So, if you have a meeting with a colleague to discuss what to them represents a crisis it pays not only as a professional courtesy, but because their problem needs solving, to give them your full attention. I recall a new client in private practice meeting with us as his lawyers for the first time who insisted on answering calls while briefing us. He had one of those annoying (to me) Bluetooth headphones and would suddenly hold up his hand and start talking to someone else. By contrast I have observed senior managers brought in to help resolve a red alert crisis drop everything else for the duration of the meeting concerned and really concentrate on the issue at hand bringing all their knowledge and experience to bear.
Doing this is however not easy in our connected world. This article How to be more present in the moment at worksuggests some ways to help.
Some practical techniques that help do this and concentrate on the moment that I think work include, for in person meetings, finding a room or meeting space away from your hotdesk, leaving your laptop and phone behind (or at least shut down or in do not disturb mode) unless you need to refer to something. In extremis go out to a coffee bar where you won’t be disturbed. For online meetings this is so much harder as you see the IM’s and emails pop up whilst the meeting progresses. Using chat for that meeting can of course help, but not trying to multitask. Maybe just close or minimise all tasks not relevant to the meeting concerned. It is ultimately just about being sufficiently disciplined to concentrate on the one current person or issue and avoid being distracted.
I think this does come down to organisation and planning as well frankly as a personal choice (not to be like my Bluetooth client). I like this Harvard Business Review article To Control Your Life, Control What You Pay Attention Towhich commences “One of the best insights on what true productivity means in the 21st century dates back to 1890. In his book The Principles of Psychology, Vol.1, William James wrote a simple statement that’s packed with meaning: “My experience is what I agree to attend to.”
“Your attention determines the experiences you have, and the experiences you have determine the life you live. Or said another way: you must control your attention to control your life.”
It then proposes “Deliberately Choosing What You Attend To” which means, echoing my advice above, first, control external factors:
Control your behavior - give your full attention to one task until it’s complete, or until a designated stopping point.
Control your thoughts – minds are made to wander!
I know this links to more psychological topics like the concept of Mindfulness described in Wikepedia as “the cognitive skill, usually developed through meditation, of sustaining meta-attention towards the contents of one's own mind in the present moment” which derives from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. However, I am more interested in the practical application of this ability to truly focus in the professional business world with all its current demands on our attention. This Forbes piece Stop Your Search For Work/Life Balance! What You Need Is To Be Present puts an interesting spin on this topic; “How much precious time is wasted worrying that you have not found the optimal combination of work time and non-work time? You do not need to even think about work/life balance. What’s important is that you be present for each moment of your life, wherever you are. If you are fully present for the moments of your life, you will see clearly what, if anything, needs to be done.”
My point is that in our connected and sometimes frenetic working world we have the option to make conscious choices to manage these precious moments and be more effective in the office (virtual or real) and in our home lives (where similar pressures apply). All it takes is some conscious effort and techniques to focus on what is actually in front of us, forgetting for that time our past and future business challenges.
“The next point — that’s all you must think about.” Rod Laver, Australian tennis player.
“Even if I knew that the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” The theologian Martin Luther.
“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.” The author Jana Kingsford.
“The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today’s work superbly today. That is the only possible way you can prepare for the future.” Dale Carnegie.
"My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed. If you run your race, you'll win... channel your energy. Focus." Carl Lewis.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha.
Doing this is however not easy in our connected world. This article How to be more present in the moment at worksuggests some ways to help.
- Give full attention to the people you’re with.
- Focus on one task at a time
- Switch mindfully between tasks (with a conscious pause in between)
- Limit distractions
- Schedule reminders (rather than jumping to the actual task)
Some practical techniques that help do this and concentrate on the moment that I think work include, for in person meetings, finding a room or meeting space away from your hotdesk, leaving your laptop and phone behind (or at least shut down or in do not disturb mode) unless you need to refer to something. In extremis go out to a coffee bar where you won’t be disturbed. For online meetings this is so much harder as you see the IM’s and emails pop up whilst the meeting progresses. Using chat for that meeting can of course help, but not trying to multitask. Maybe just close or minimise all tasks not relevant to the meeting concerned. It is ultimately just about being sufficiently disciplined to concentrate on the one current person or issue and avoid being distracted.
I think this does come down to organisation and planning as well frankly as a personal choice (not to be like my Bluetooth client). I like this Harvard Business Review article To Control Your Life, Control What You Pay Attention Towhich commences “One of the best insights on what true productivity means in the 21st century dates back to 1890. In his book The Principles of Psychology, Vol.1, William James wrote a simple statement that’s packed with meaning: “My experience is what I agree to attend to.”
“Your attention determines the experiences you have, and the experiences you have determine the life you live. Or said another way: you must control your attention to control your life.”
It then proposes “Deliberately Choosing What You Attend To” which means, echoing my advice above, first, control external factors:
- Control your technology – turn off email, phone on silent.
- Control your environment – go to a different part of your office
Control your behavior - give your full attention to one task until it’s complete, or until a designated stopping point.
Control your thoughts – minds are made to wander!
I know this links to more psychological topics like the concept of Mindfulness described in Wikepedia as “the cognitive skill, usually developed through meditation, of sustaining meta-attention towards the contents of one's own mind in the present moment” which derives from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. However, I am more interested in the practical application of this ability to truly focus in the professional business world with all its current demands on our attention. This Forbes piece Stop Your Search For Work/Life Balance! What You Need Is To Be Present puts an interesting spin on this topic; “How much precious time is wasted worrying that you have not found the optimal combination of work time and non-work time? You do not need to even think about work/life balance. What’s important is that you be present for each moment of your life, wherever you are. If you are fully present for the moments of your life, you will see clearly what, if anything, needs to be done.”
My point is that in our connected and sometimes frenetic working world we have the option to make conscious choices to manage these precious moments and be more effective in the office (virtual or real) and in our home lives (where similar pressures apply). All it takes is some conscious effort and techniques to focus on what is actually in front of us, forgetting for that time our past and future business challenges.
“The next point — that’s all you must think about.” Rod Laver, Australian tennis player.
“Even if I knew that the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” The theologian Martin Luther.
“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.” The author Jana Kingsford.
“The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today’s work superbly today. That is the only possible way you can prepare for the future.” Dale Carnegie.
"My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed. If you run your race, you'll win... channel your energy. Focus." Carl Lewis.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha.
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