Looking for Razor-Sharp Focus? Look No Further!


In a world chockfull of distractions and unexpected emergencies, it’s no surprise that many healthcare professionals find it difficult to continuously keep a sharp focus.

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Indeed, as determined as you are to get through the tasks of the day, you might end up having to deal with an unhappy co-worker, an increased patient load, or understaffing. Among this chaos and distractions you may find it extremely difficult to find focus.

Of course, the work still needs to be done and it needs to be done well. Here are some tips to get you through the day with more focus and concentration:

. Jot down what makes you lose focus. Record the time and day you feel ‘lost’. What are you doing? Are you hungry? Tired? Trying to multi-task? Figuring out the issue is the first step toward trying to fix it.

. Set three goals before you begin the workday. It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose or time-consuming. Just set three things you would like to accomplish. This simple step can have a tremendous impact on your focus. Try it!

. Give yourself 15 minutes for social media, and 15 minutes only. Twitter, Facebook, emails, texts… the list goes on and on, and we’re all seemingly hooked on these outlets. We all have the need to be connected, but if you’re glued to your mobile device, you will lose focus. Period. Give yourself 15 minutes to check-in during the workday. Do the rest when you’re home.

. Give your brain a work out. You can indeed teach an old brain new tricks. You can practice on focus and concentration by turning off all distractions and committing your attention to a single task. Start small, maybe five to 10 minutes per day. See how long you can go concentrating on just one task. Then, work up to bigger chunks of time. Training yourself to stay focused is just like getting fit. You have to build the muscle (your brain) to be focused.

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.”

—T.F. Hodge