Be Present. One Task at a Time.

GCM Blog Posts

One of our biggest challenges in the modern time is that of attention deficit. In the modern day, the unyielding need for multi-tasking has pushed people to unnecessarily go over board by causing undue stress to themselves.

The point of multi-tasking came into being due to the need of a fast paced life and of people keeping up with the time.

One of the biggest challenges that we face today is not only the hurried and hasty nature of completed tasks, but also the problem of people’s attention span. There is a clear dearth of focus in people’s minds over the matter. It takes just a few small changes to help be present in your work, complete more quality tasks, one at a time.

The Study

A recent study that was published by one of the most elite defence forces, the United States of America’s Navy SEAL’s services, mentioned that it is always important to prioritize your tasks according to the need of the time it falls under.

The study mentions the drastic need to re-teach people the need for not only time prioritisation but also the need for people to be more effective at tasks. For instance, as part of the Navy SEAL training, one of the first tasks that they are required to complete in the day is to ensure that their beds are neatly rearranged.

This mode of training gives a psychological effect of achievement of their first task of the day. According to the Navy SEAL, the troops are enthusiastic about completing their first task before even making a list of tasks for the day.

As part of the training they are also asked to ensure that the task at hand must be completed efficiently and in time without the need to focus on any other task at the same time. Be present, concentrate on one task at a time.

Admiral McRaven explains this theory:

Pavlov’s Measure

It is also important to constantly remind yourself of the tasks and priorities at hand. The experts suggest it would behoove you to use stronger remedial measures such as Pavlov’s measure.

This remedial measure is a process of trying to augment your memory about tasks by setting external reminders to yourself through tools like alarms or automatic buzzers. This is a very effective technique. While it may not be a permanent solution, it is definitely a measure to keep you present, one task at a time.

Using your email calendar, smart phone reminders or even app’s assist with external reminders. Asana is a great online tool I use to manage and prioritize my task list, which sends you updated lists for the day and allows you to tick your tasks off as you complete them.

Choose Wisely

Another very useful measure to improve your concentration and attention is to ensure that you drown out all forms of distractions from your surrounding environment. For instance, it could be very helpful to listen to music through earphones and drown out the noise that distracts you externally.

However, it is also important to choose your mode of distraction according to the situation. For instance, if there is a need to concentrate, the medium of focusing must not become a mode of distraction in itself.

By clearing the space around you, your level of focus can increase, as can your productivity.

What do you to increase in productivity?
How can you increase your concentration on tasks?

And that’s the Dish. Until next time, Belinda.

Belinda Bow

I am Belinda Bow




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