With a busy and often deadline driven workload it can be very hard to find focus. HR roles are classically reactive which can be a real challenge when we want to find time to focus. Some of us are naturally good at this, but the best news is that it is learnable. With a bit of trail and error you can work out how best to create time to focus in your working day.


Become a scientist of your time and consider what you do when and how. Observe first and record what happens, then try some techniques and review how these work for you - then repeat. But do enjoy the trying.


Here are some ideas to try:


  • Strong start - would having the first hour of the day at a nearby café rather than your desk help? No café - why not your car?
  • Solid close - block out 30 minutes at the end of each working day to review what you have achieved today and what you will carry forward to tomorrow - then create a new action list to start the morning with focus and clarity.
  • Diary blocking - each month block out time to focus on key activities, protect this diary space at all costs. If you have open diaries label it as something no-one will overbook.
  • Sprints - a bit of design that you never get round to or that is dragging on, will benefit from a sprint. Gather together what you need and block out 2 hours (start and end of day or over lunch are ideal) get away from your desk and do it.
  • Tech clean - remove notifications (especially emails) and don't take your phone with you into a focused session. It will wait.
  • Email hours - plan to review and respond to emails three times a day only - first thing, after lunch and before you finish. Try it for a week and see if it bothers anyone.


These are just a few ideas - many more exist and the trick is to find out what works for you - and enjoy the experiments.


Ideas

  • Take a moment to reflect:
  • What is your focus enemy - is it noise, clutter, other people, time, pressure?
  • What conditions do you need to focus - what is the best location, time of day, preparation, materials?
  • How do other people focus - any tricks to copy?


Actions

Week 1 - Keep a diary to record time spent on which activities


Week 2 - Highlight the activities which need focus and didn't get it, and highlight the activities which needed focus on got it. Compare the difference.


Week 3 - create a list of what you need to focusing using the headings - time of day, location, preparation, materials, task.


Week 4 - put it into practice and block out the time in your diary


Repeat as you learn


Reading Recommendations

Cal Newport - Deep Work

Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky - Make Time


Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash