In a hyper-connected world full of demands, managers face a major challenge: maintaining optimum concentration to achieve their objectives. Coach and trainer in time management and personal organisation, Marine Gandouet explores the different strategies and tools that enable managers to maintain their concentration. Or even boost it.
In the digital age, are we really still capable of maintaining our focus on the essentials? How can you be a proactive manager for your team without falling into the trap of multiple demands? How can you stay focused without burning out?
But first, what is concentration?
Concentration could be defined as the ability to do just one thing at a time and see it through to completion.
Did you know that it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain concentration after being interrupted in an action? This is the result of a study conducted by the University of Irvine in California.
In cognitive science, concentration works when 3 criteria are met :
- Selective attention : choose a target
- The ability to inhibit Keeping distractions at bay
- Sustained attention : maintaining over time
The main sources that impair concentration are: noise, fatigue, stress, the work environment, interruptions, personal problems and lack of social interaction. Possibly linked to hyperconnectivity.
Demands and their impact on concentration
According to the latest studies, the average person consults their phone 80 to 150 times a day. These are large figures, but they clearly show the extent to which smartphones disrupt concentration. Add to that the demands of colleagues, e-mail notifications on the computer and all the other external demands, and it's a real challenge to stay focused!
For sophrologist Cécile Vilatte, there are three ways of managing requests.
- Bring a immediate responseThis has a major impact on concentration.
- Negotiating a postponement of demandThis has an average impact, because negotiating takes time.
- ProgramIn this case, there is no impact because there are no interruptions. In this case, there is no impact because there is no interruption.
The consequences of these repeated interruptions are numerous.
Individual consequences...
First of all, it's time wasted on all the other tasks in your diary or to-do list. Your brain no longer has the capacity to manage everything at once and stay on course. Repeated interruptions can therefore lead to mental overload.
What's more, having to stop in the evening can be difficult, when there's still so much to do. It adds a sense of frustration at the end of the day. EvenanguishThe next day, you have to start with the previous day's unfinished list and add other activities.
When you feel like your "head is under water", it's possible to lose meaning in what you're doing. Visit demotivation can then appear.
... to collective impact
When you're a manager, there are also collective consequences. For example: forget to keep your team on coursewith clear and shared objectives, or neglect the feedback.
All this, put together, promotes burn-out. It's a vicious circle that needs to be identified as soon as possible to reverse the trend and start a virtuous circle.
Say ciao to interruptions in 6 steps
I've identified 6 steps to get rid of interruptions. The important thing is first to understand why a behaviour occurs. Then it's a matter of determining how to respond differently to a deep-seated need. For example, the need to stay connected.
1/ List sources of distraction
Take LinkedIn notifications, for example.
2/ Quantify the number of distractions per day
I receive an average of 30 a day. That's as many times as I look at my phone and stray from the action in hand.
3/ Identify the benefits of having fewer distractions
I would feel more efficient.
4/ Understanding the needs associated with distractions
I realise that going on LinkedIn keeps me up to date and makes me feel responsive..
5/ Looking for new avenues to meet needs
I could set aside 15 minutes at 12.15pm and then another 15 minutes at 4pm to go on LinkedIn. This would allow me to respond to my needs, during selected and defined times.
6/ Set up your new shield
I then feel aligned with removing the notifications, because I've chosen the times that suit me best to enjoy this social network.
How do you cultivate concentration?
Aside from the issue of demands and other interruptions, concentration is also a skill that can be perfected.
An organization serving your concentration
You can use the sentences below to ask yourself about your operating habits.
If you answered no to one or more items, these are probably areas for improvement.
An action plan to help you concentrate
Here are a few tips and practical tools to help you take action quickly.
1/ Limit interruptions
- Define dedicated slots to check your e-mails and social networks.
- Choose a proactive approach. Identify the employees who call on you several times a day and set aside dedicated time for them. Ask your teams to write down their questions and comments and pass them on to you at the appropriate time. During a weekly review, for example.
- Clear your head with a dedicated checklist and/or note-taking software.
- Set up a digital perspective Remove most of your mobile notifications and e-mail notifications on your computer.
- Communicate to your teams about this organisational change, to give it meaning and to show them the benefits for you and, in turn, for them.
2/ Dedicated tools
| Forest | Time management application that allows users to plan 25-minute work sessions during which they must remain focused on their task. During this period, the application blocks notifications and encourages the user to stay focused. If they succeed, a virtual tree is planted in the application. |
| Freedom | Application that blocks access to certain websites or applications for a set period of time. Users can then concentrate on their task without being distracted by notifications or social networks. |
| Focus@Will | Application designed to stimulate concentration and block distractions with a selection of music. |
| Offtime | Application that lets you plan periods of offline time during which the user can block calls, messages and notifications. Exceptions can be defined for certain contacts or applications. |
| RescueTime | Time management application that tracks time spent on different websites and applications. It also provides detailed reports on time use. Users can set time targets to avoid distractions and maximise productivity. |
3/ A tidy, pleasant office environment
There are three key factors to consider when designing an office to encourage concentration and efficiency:
- Natural lighting
- The ideal temperature
- Limitation of noise and movement
If you don't have the power to act on these three key factors (in open spaces, in particular), you can certainly :
- Have an uncluttered office space
- Clear your desk of anything that isn't related to what you do
- Have all the tools you need for everyday life close at hand
- Several drawers, letter trays or magazine racks (for supplies, "To Do" files, filing, etc.)
So, unless you work in flex officeYou can invest in and customise your workspace to make it a truly unique place to work. inspiring and motivating.
When people have control over the design of their working environment and can decorate it to their liking, their productivity and level of job satisfaction can increase considerably, by up to 32 %.
Study by the School of Psychology at the University of Exeter in England.
Concentration is severely tested in the workplace. Being aware of the various daily interruptions is already a big step. The good news is that for most of them, you have the power to reduce them or exclude them altogether. All that remains is to cultivate your concentration on a daily basis. There are many ways to do this: it's up to you to explore and find what suits you best!
