Maintaining focus and concentration in Spring time 5

[BeckahC]

Anyone else ever have this problem?

I have a ton of stuff that needs to get done... all of it has deadlines within the next week or two, some are ASAP... yet I can't seem to get my concentration on doing any sort of work for any length of time... perhaps I've caught a bit of Spring fever, this is the first week with temps in the 70s and 80s here in NY... I don't have a window anywhere near me, I have to get up and walk a bit to look out one, so looking isn't the problem... I just can't seem to focus on work right now...

I am usually quite the perfectionist - work hard, work hours at a time and get it all done, bring it home if I must. The only thing I usually instist upon for myself is that I do minimal overtime and always take lunch (even if it's a bit abridged) away fromn my desk. Maybe I'm just burnt and need a vacation? I'm going away Sat and Sun. but not taking time off any time soon... next real vacation is Labor Day week...

So, should I feel guilty? Does anyone have any exercises or techniques to get themselves to concentrate and focus on work, even when their brain seems to turn off for awhile? BeckahC

 

[Ngolem]

Nopes no problem here...it is cold and snow/rain for the past month when it should be sunny and warm....

They do say May might come in as a lamb...and June showers bring July flowers...or at least that is the way the weather seems to be this year...

Working 'cause there is nothing else to do
Jim

JimBroadbent@Hotmail.com

 

[BeckahC]

Jim,
It's a shame you have such bad weather now. We're supposed to go up to 90 today, and then some... fortunately my company has thought of everything... they make it feel like Winter indoors during the Summer and like Summer indoors during most of the Winter (except the days that are right after the 80 degree indoors days, then we get a Winter morning....) <sigh> So much to do and way too much time on my hands not to do it....

...at least it's still light when I get home... usually

Does anyone have any tips on how to focus? BeckahC

 

[Ngolem]

After all the snow had melted...it snowed again today.

Nopes...Spring fever...What the Heck is that!!

Jim

JimBroadbent@Hotmail.com

 

[BeckahC]

Well, Perhaps I can e-mail you a few degrees from here.... it's reaching around 96 plus here, why don't I just send you 20 degrees or so to help melt that snow ;-) BeckahC

 

[Luckyfour]

Sounds like you're feeling somewhat overwhelmed with a vacation a long way off. As well, some people can notice mood changes in the spring around the equinox. A few suggestions:
- write a priority list and cross off your accomplishments; try to focus on one task at a time rather than the big picture
- reduce caffeine, increase water and graze (food)
- make some more social plans
- try to get out in the sun a bit at lunch time and try to take some breaks outside if possible
- is the heat affecting your sleep pattern? If so, what can you do about that?

I work in mental health. Let me know if you'd like any more ideas.

 

[BeckahC]

Hi LuckyFour!

I appreciate the ideas. It just seems like the more I get done, the more there is to do. I'm not as stressed as I used to be. Usually, unless there's a very close deadline, if it's not done by 5, it can be done the next day.

I've just been having problems getting started on doing much of anything. I have cut back a lot on the caffeine. One cup of coffee of any kind is my limit for the day - the cafe where I work has a fantastic Cappuccino machine, so one of those a day - sometimes none if I don't need it, is my allotment to myself, the rest of the day is diet soda at lunch and water all other times.

The weird thing is, when I sit down to go onto Tek-Tips, or similar, I don't have much of a problem concentrating on reading messages and responding... I just can't seem to get into working lately, I guess.

Thanks for responding! BeckahC

 

[Luckyfour]

No problem. Well, it's a good sign that you're interested in tek-tips and other things. So, I guess it's increase the coping strategies (and there are lots) or decrease the stress and figure out how you can do that in your particular work situation. Sometimes it's hard to focus on work if there are other things going on in our lives. I wish you well.

 

[MasterRacker]

It all goes in cycles. When it gets overwhelming, my advice to you is to begin drinking heavily (at work if possible....)

;-) LOL
Jeff
Working in IT is like trying to commit suicide with a very small hammer ....

 

[Luckyfour]

Actually, MasterRacker's suggestion probably is the best, particularly if you drink in front of your boss and keep a bottle on your desk. No job=no work stress. You get a star for that. ;-)

Seriously, take good care of yourself BeckahC.

 

[BeckahC]

Thank you Jeff and LuckyFour!

I have been trying to take good care of myself. I just find that certain times of the year - I just would rather be outside and at the beach or the mall with friends than cooped up in a chilly office with rows of desks and computers... I think I'll put on some music and get to it today (with headphones, of course ;-)).

Thanks again! BeckahC

 

[Hal10K]

In general, I try to do this in your situation:

Prioritize your daily and weekly stuff, then monthly & long term.
Choose a couple of small & important goals to get the day going with an accomplishment or two. This will help get you going on a roll.
Pick your best part of the day to work on the hardest tasks.
Reward yourself for a &quot;good&quot; day.
Have a hobby or organization or recreational activity apart from work, as they promote relaxation.

I also use a pushdown stack for tasks, requests, etc. If the request isn't yanked out of the stack and put back on the top, it eventually migrates to the bottom. If it stays on the bottom for a period of time (depending on class of the request/task/etc.), it goes into the bit bucket. Anything that reaches the bottom was probably not that important in the first place, and may have not been germane to your job.

Hal

e.g. Tonight I'm going to play in the mud (work on front yard raised flower planter), then tomorrow I'm taking my boys to an all-day Boy Scout swim outing. Then, maybe take my spouse out to dinner and a movie, leaving the boys home. Sunday, after church, more playing in the mud, maybe a little Tool Time work, and then maybe work on building a new gaming machine for the boys..... If I do anything at all for &quot;work&quot;, it will be rip and read from magazines.. If I get bored.....
Now that is a weekend vacation, and hopefully I'll be ready to tilt against windmills on Monday.

-h

 

[BeckahC]

thanks Hal,
I actually do a lot of extracurricular stuff... I am part of a theatre group, I sell Tupperware, I get together with friends, participate in on-line chats and BBs, and spend time with my hubby... I think my personal life is about as packed as my work life... except there are some personal things on my mind that are distracting me. I just can't say anything about it to anyone yet until I know for sure, but I have been all nerves lately! Thanks for the advice! BeckahC

 

[seniorpeon]

It is tough to stay focused sometimes. The previous suggestions sound like winners to me. You might also keep in mind that this lack of concentration is usually cyclical. You'll get back in the groove eventually. Until then you might try getting your work area organized. Catch up on the more mindless tasks that you've been putting off (like filing, restocking your supplies). At least you'll be getting something accomplished, rather than just wool-gathering. More exercise helps, too, but who wants to do that? Oh yeah, and the suggestion about drinking is alway appropriate!

TC

 

[BeckahC]

Hmmm... well... my concentration is not much better... but the reason is more than just a season of the year - I am expecting my first child in early January! So... I guess that explains the lack of concentration... early hormones;-)

Your sugestions do still work, I tried many of them with great success for hours at a time of uniterupted work... then I go back to worrying and questioning and such:-(

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! BeckahC

 

[KenCunningham]

Many congratulations! I should add that when you're on your fifth child (like us), it won't be hormones giving you problems in the Spring, it'll be the high blood pressure ;-)!!! All the very best.

 

[BeckahC]

Thank you Ken! I'm not quite sure we'll get to a 5th child... but 2, 3 and perhaps 4 might well be in our future! Congrats to you as well! BeckahC

 

[ElijahBaley]

I know where you are coming from, I have been trying to excel at work whilst trying to study in the small amounts of spare time that I can find when I am free of my duties to be a good father.

I am washed out - I can not get back into my course work everything seems too difficult, I fear that I am loosing/forgetting everything that I have learned as each moment of inactivity passes by, I lose my confidence and wonder if I will ever make the grade but...

I know from experience that it will pass, I just need to take a break until I am ready to take a deep breath and launch my self back at it.

It usually works, you just need to give yourself a break and don't worry about it!

Graham
&quot;r tape loading error&quot;

 

[Tschibo]

OK, now just for my 2 cents here because i've had/have that problem, too.

When i did the exams (a year ago) i couldn't hardly concentrate on anything, i lost appetite, got depressive. Now what really worked were

1) doing a little sports every day (e.g. 30 minutes cycling)
2) having friends that attract your focus to non-work topics
3) do exercises for relaxing (sorry, i'm german and don't know how to describe it better) something like yoga or concentrating on one thing (e.g. a picture on the wall) for a while
4) in addition to 1) and 2) doing things regularly, e.g. always eat at 7pm, meet every friday with friends, whatever

That were the main things, that pulled me out of that 25year-midlife crisis. I guess it applies to burn-out and similar syndroms as well.

Christoph

 

[CajunCenturion]

You certainly can't find fault with any of ChristophBallhause's suggestions - they are good, but as for me - I'll be at the bar with MasterRacker. Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein