How to Incorporate Radical Focus and Get More done

We probably all know someone who meets resistance by trying to do too many things at once and burns out in the process. We've all seen people set out to do an ambitious project and then fall short of their goals because they bit off more than they could chew. And we've all felt the pain of taking on too many tasks and burning ourselves out in the process.

As a career consultant, I see this type of behavior often.

The Price of Distraction

Many of us have a lot going on in our lives. We have to juggle family, friends, work, and... well, the list goes on. In fact, many of us get so busy that we find ourselves losing focus on the things that are actually important to us.

While it might seem like an odd time to say it, research has shown that one of the greatest predictors of long-term career success is being able to focus 100% of your attention on a task at hand. This is known as your 'flow state'. When you're in a flow state, you can get a lot done without losing focus or overthinking problems.

When interrupted while working, it can take 23 minutes to get back to the flow state you were in when you stopped. Of course, there are caveats; for example, if the interruption is related to what you're working on, the recovery time can be quicker.

How I’ve Learned to Stay Focused (At Least While at Work)

You can bet that I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the endless stream of distractions hitting all of my devices. I find myself wanting to respond to emails, work on projects, complete daily tasks, check social media and do a million other things (all while talking to the people who are sitting in front of me).

When you're learning to focus, it's easy to get caught up in what you're actually doing.

I've probably used "all of the things" you can think of to stay focused, with varying results. This list includes closing down tabs on my desktop, carving out time blocks, and using the Pomodoro Technique(1), to name just a few.

But Radical Focus is different. Just the name can give your work a sense of urgency and importance. And this type of focus creates calm and clarity. It blows my mind how much you can get done when you practice this method.

Alongside practicing Radical Focus, reducing social media in my day-to-day has made an enormous difference as well(2).

Basic Concept, Yet Complex to Implement

Radical Focus is a very basic principle but can be difficult to implement.

It takes time to develop the habit. And in the information age, we are overloaded with so many stimuli that it can sometimes be challenging to know what we need to work on and prioritize.

Here are a few strategies to get you started:

1. Get clarity on the ONE thing you're going to focus on in your RF session. Be specific about the outcome you want to achieve.

2. Create a time block. Decide on the length of time for your session and block out that time.

3. Eliminate every single distraction. Block everything out. No apps, no notifications, just the one task you're working on. Enable the Do Not Disturb function on your computer and your phone.

4. Set yourself up for success. Create the right environment—place, space, light, music, candles, whatever you need to help you stay in the focused zone.

5. Focus on the ONE thing for the duration of your session.

6. Keep a distraction log. Have a notebook beside you while you work. When something pops into your head that isn't related to the task, write it down. You can deal with it later.

Reflect

Once you get to the end of your session, review the process:

1. What worked?

2. What didn't work?

3. And what could you stop/start/continue (3) to make your next session better?

4. Check your distraction log. What were the main things distracting you/calling for your attention?

Reward Yourself

Set something in place for the end of your session. If you've stuck to being distraction-free, you will more than likely have done some intense work. Here are a few ideas:

1. Read for five minutes.

2. Scroll Social Media.

3. Call a friend.

4. Do some yoga.

5. Spend some time coloring or doodling.

If you want to create a better work-life balance, give Radical Focus a try. You'll get way more work done, the quality of the work will be better, you'll feel more productive and you'll free up space to do other things. Let me know if this is something you could incorporate in your regular day-to-day!