How to focus at work

The fact that I am writing this blog combined with the fact that I have not posted in a couple of weeks will give some level of indication on where my head is at, at this current juncture. I have been struggling with what some call procrastination, but I wonder if it is something deeper.

For those of you reading this blog who don’t know what I do, let me give a little insight into my day. A typical day consists of between 8-10 meetings of between ½ hour and 4 hours. I receive between 50 and 100 emails each day and hold numerous ad-hoc conversations with people, be they face to face, phone, text, whatsapp, MSTeams, or whatever medium is available to hand.

While not belittling my importance within the organisation, or that of any other director, I often feel my role is one of communicator, mentor or arbiter – either connecting issues and queries with the right person/team, guiding and supporting team members or that of decision maker. While all highly important aspects of the role my organisation needs me to undertake, it allows little time for original thought.

Whether in study mode or work mode, life seems to be becoming more and more distracting. I recently sat down to write a business case. Despite having no meetings and putting my oft laughed at ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on my office door, I found it hard to concentrate. I almost missed the regular distractions of people popping their head around the door, or the constant ping of MS Teams messages popping up. It got me thinking – How does one switch from a ‘generalist’ multi-tasking mode to one of deep concentration all within the same working day?

If you are reading the blog in a hope that I will have the answer to the question I pose, I am afraid that you are out of luck. I have read excellent books such as Cal Newport’s ‘Deep Work’. I have listened to various podcasts, blogs and posts on the matter. Some propose that I ditch social medial, or some go even further and suggest ditching email – though I feel my boss may have something to say about that. All the literature is very interesting, and snippets are very helpful, none have yet helped me fully master the switch from frenetic day to day life to focused effort.

It is not possible to find huge swaythes of free time in my life (nor most people's these days I suspect), so locking myself in a cabin deep in the woods for days on end is out of the question. I would also argue that my upbringing on 80's horror movies would rule out any form of concentration whilst in a cabin in the woods.

So, I guess the question I am setting is how do YOU master balancing the day to day with the times when only focused effort will do?

Right, enough procrastinating… time to study