6 bizarre tips waardoor je minder werkt en meer presteert
I should have lived in the time of John Calvin. I only feel really good about my performance when the bags are hanging on my knees and I have to be swept away from my laptop, emaciated. Complete nonsense of course, because I have my best ideas precisely in a state of laziness and I type the most fun pieces on the Friday after the Thursday when we all had a great time out. That's why the book Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More by Chris Bailey appealed to me so much. I’ll share the first tips.
1. Put your phone away
If you really want to work concentrated, you need to put that phone away for a bit. A message that pops up, a calendar invitation, or someone actually calling, all of that can wait. This keeps pulling you out of your concentration tunnel.
2. Find a quiet spot
My absolute favorite place to work is in a hotel bar. The Pulitzer, the Hilton, The Dylan, and the Amstel in Amsterdam are all favorite spots. There's a small chance you'll run into someone you know, and the atmosphere inspires me. Since a person can't spend the whole week in a hotel bar, it's important to create a spot for yourself where you won't be distracted. At the office, we have two cozy hanging chairs with a soft fur in them. If you're in that chair, the ‘do not disturb’ rule applies. And it works.
3. Make a list of things that distract you
You know it: you're in the middle of a file and all sorts of other thoughts pitch for your attention. You still need to set aside money for the window cleaner, don't forget to call your friend who has a birthday, and that dinner for Friday, you still need to arrange a babysitter for that. All distractions. Write them down (on a piece of paper, because you already put your phone away) and you'll see that they will leave your head because you know you won't forget them.
4. Ask yourself if something is worth it
Do you really want to do this? Is this the approach you stand behind? Was this your best idea? Is this the most fun topic you could think of? According to Chris Bailey, you should ask yourself this more often. Don't blindly follow what Netflix dictates, but really ask yourself what you will gain from watching a certain series or reading a book. If you stand behind something and are excited about it, you can concentrate better.
5. Coffee! Coffee!
Coffee gives you an unbelievable focus boost. Don't drink it out of habit, but make a good cup of coffee for yourself when you settle into that special spot without your phone.
6. The highlighter!
Highlight what you read and what you find interesting. Then read the highlighted things and notes again, and if it's really interesting, share your findings and ideas with someone else, whether they want to hear it or not. Then everything is firmly stamped in your brain.
7. If your attention wanes
Then you stop immediately. Do a little task. Empty the dishwasher, drop a card in the mail, or brush your teeth. Then sit back down and you'll see that you regain that focus quickly.
Good luck!
