Do you find it hard to stay on task and get things done when there are constant interruptions and distractions? Do you have unhealthy coping strategies that just aren’t working?
It’s a common challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced workplace, to do more with less. But the good news is that there are practical strategies you can implement to build perseverance and resilience and ultimately find focus in the chaos.
I have 7 strategies to help you escape the noise and build your resilience skills, allowing you to stay focused and productive in your work and personal lives. They’ve helped me and many others, with whom I have also shared benefits. Try a few out and let me know what works for you.
What is Resilience in Sales, and How Can it Improve My Focus?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back and adapt to adversity. It’s an important trait to develop as it helps us remain focused on our goals and objectives, no matter the obstacles we encounter. Resilience gives us a sense of purpose and direction, even when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. It gives us the strength to persevere through difficult times.
How are you faring personally after enduring the chaos of changing work environments? Does the ringing doorbell or a comment from a co-worker set you off in an unintended direction and wreck your day?
Conventional wisdom suggests that success is easy for naturally talented people and that failure is a source of shame.
However, evidence from personal stories, research, and examples of successful individuals suggests otherwise. Perseverance and resilience, rather than innate talent, lead to achievement.
Psychological resilience research
Together, positive psychology and resilience make a formidable combination.
Both are focused on the benefits of optimism and the potential health benefits of a more positive mindset.
Resilience can help us stay focused on our goals and improve our focus. When faced with setbacks or stress, resilient people can stay calm, take things one step at a time, and think logically about how to find solutions. They are also more likely to have a positive outlook on life, which helps them focus on achievable tasks for the future instead of worrying about past failures or mistakes.
Mindfulness matters
To become more resilient, it’s important to practice mindfulness techniques like meditation, which can help reduce stress so you can stay calm and focused in any situation.
If you lack resilience, you can adopt healthy coping strategies such as exercise, journaling, or engaging in conversations with friends, which can also help improve your overall resilience.
We need to cultivate a growth mindset, practice self-care, and seek support from others to develop resilience.
Seven strategies to build perseverance and resilience
Here are seven strategies to help you build perseverance and resilience to find focus in your daily life.
Minimize Distractions
One of the biggest obstacles to staying focused is distraction. Whether it’s the phone ringing, notifications on your computer, or the lure of social media, it’s easy to get sidetracked.
To minimize distractions, try the following:
- Turn off notifications on your phone and computer.
- Close unnecessary tabs and programs on your computer.
- Work in a quiet environment or use noise-canceling headphones.
- Use website blockers to limit your access to distracting websites.
- Set specific times to check your email and social media, and stick to them.
Make your life Great by Living by Design
Another way to improve your focus is to prioritize your tasks and start to live by design.
Instead of tackling everything at once, list what needs to be done and prioritize the most important tasks. This will help you stay focused, live purposefully, and avoid getting overwhelmed.
My daily habit trifecta: M- L – G!
Tired of feeling overwhelmed and unfocused? Try implementing my daily habit trifecta to build resilient people: pick one top priority, identify something you want to learn, and reflect on something you’re grateful for.
These habits can help you build resilience and find meaning in your daily life. With a few simple steps, you can be on your way to improved focus and productivity.
Now – here’s a tip to recall this each and every day.
Tell yourself, “My life is great!” OK – you will start to believe it, but this is like cement for your brain. I use the concept of neuroplasticity to shape how I see the world and build resilience. It stands for:
- M for Master Task: Choose one main task to focus on and complete each day.
- L for Learning Objective: Set a daily goal to learn something new.
- G for Gratitude: Reflect on and express gratitude for something in your life.
Using this simple acronym, you can easily remind yourself of these daily habits and stay on track toward building a more productive and positive lifestyle.
Is your life great? It will be once you do this simple routine every day!
Take Breaks
Taking breaks may seem counterintuitive to improving your focus, but they can be very helpful. Studies have shown that taking short breaks can improve concentration and productivity. So, if you’re feeling stuck or unfocused, take a short break to recharge and come back to your work with renewed focus.
Use Time Management Techniques
Time management techniques can also be useful in improving your focus. One popular technique is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. Here’s a great article from Forbes explaining it, and you can watch countless YouTube videos and see insights on their website. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
My favorite is using my Rocketbook to help me focus on writing my thoughts. I spend so much time on my computer that writing is a lost art, but it helps your brain decompress and focus.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can improve your ability to stay focused and avoid distractions. Some ways to practice mindfulness include:
- Meditation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Yoga
- Mindful walking
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for staying focused and productive. When you’re sleep-deprived, it’s harder to concentrate and make good decisions. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to improve your focus and overall well-being.
I was recently in a training session with Dr. Michael Gervais. He is brilliant at helping athletes and businesspeople achieve peak performance, and I appreciate his golden nuggets in my life. One simple point is to get enough sleep and hydrate yourself. What can you do to take this and apply it?
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise has been shown to improve focus and cognitive function. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration and mental clarity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of daily exercise to reap the benefits.
You can improve your ability to focus and get things done by cutting down on distractions, putting tasks in order of importance, taking breaks, using time management techniques, practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, and working out regularly.
I want you to please commit to practicing one new resilience-building strategy each day and question your assumptions about talent and failure.
Types of Resilience: Psychological, Emotional, Physical, and Community
Building resilience is essential to finding focus and overcoming distractions in your daily life. Resilience can be divided into four main types: psychological, emotional, physical, and community. Ask a mental health professional, and they will tell you each type of resilience is important and can help you develop the skills and mindset needed to face challenges and bounce back from setbacks.
Psychological resilience
Psychological resilience refers to coping with personal challenges like stress and adversity and adapting to changing circumstances by developing strong coping skills. It’s mental resilience. It involves developing a new mindset, practicing self-care, and seeking support from others when needed. By building psychological resilience, you can view setbacks as opportunities for growth and approach challenges positively and proactively.
Emotional resilience
Emotional resilience means managing and regulating your emotions in the face of stress and adversity. It involves developing self-awareness, cultivating a positive outlook, and practicing healthy coping strategies. By building emotional resilience, you can learn to manage stress and anxiety and maintain a sense of calm and balance even during the chaos.
Physical resilience
Physical resilience refers to maintaining physical health and well-being in the face of stress and adversity. It involves developing healthy habits like exercise, good nutrition, and body care. Building physical resilience can improve your overall health and well-being and increase your capacity to handle stress and challenges.
Community resilience
Community resilience refers to the ability of a community to come together and support each other in the face of stress and adversity. It involves building strong social networks, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose, and working together to address common challenges.
By building community resilience, you can create a sense of safety and security and increase your capacity to face challenges and overcome adversity as a group. I saw this personally in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy as I helped businesses recover.
I was honored to help my team enable the government’s response to the pandemic, which helped countless businesses. It was a lot of focus and hard work, but we all came together as one community during a crisis. These challenging life experiences help build personal resilience.
By incorporating strategies to build resilience into your daily routine, you can escape the chaos of noise and distractions and develop the skills and mindset needed to find focus and overcome challenges. While there are many strategies for building resilience, committing to practicing at least one new strategy each day and questioning your assumptions about talent and failure is important.
With perseverance and a positive attitude, you can build resilience and find focus in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Achieving Focus at Work Through Building Resilience Skills
Achieving different types of resilience can greatly benefit business professionals in their work and personal lives.
Here are a few ways to make it real for yourself and your teams:
- Start with education: Educating your teams on the benefits of resilience and how it can positively impact their work, mental health, and life is important. This can be done through seminars, workshops, or online training sessions.
- Lead by example: You can demonstrate resilience as a leader or colleague in your work and life. Share personal stories of overcoming challenges and how resilience played a role in your success.
- Create a supportive culture: A supportive work environment can encourage individuals to build resilience and coping skills. Encourage open communication, offer support, and provide resources for employees to develop resilience.
- Encourage self-care: Self-care is an important aspect of building resilience. Encourage individuals to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This can include exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones.
- Resources: Provide employees with resources to help them build resilience. This can include access to mental health services, stress management workshops, and resilience-building training.
By encouraging business professionals to build resilience, you can help them navigate the challenges and stressors of work and life with greater ease and effectiveness.
How else will this help to build a stronger business?
Having a team of resilient professionals in your business is crucial for success. When your team members can handle stress, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain their focus in the face of distractions, they are more likely to deliver high-quality work and excellent customer service.
Resilient professionals are better able to handle the demands of a busy workplace and are less likely to burn out or become overwhelmed. They are more adaptable to change and can pivot quickly when circumstances require it. They are also more likely to take risks and try new things, which can lead to innovation and growth for your business.
Furthermore, when your team members practice resilience-building habits like mindfulness, exercise, and prioritizing tasks, they are better equipped to handle the challenges of working in a fast-paced, competitive environment. They can stay focused on the most important tasks and make decisions with clarity and confidence.
In short, investing in resilience-building habits for your team can lead to a more productive, successful, and customer-focused business.
By encouraging your team members to prioritize their well-being and practice resilience, you can create a workplace culture that fosters growth, innovation, and success.
Summary
In conclusion….
By incorporating the 7 strategies we discussed into your daily routine, you can escape the chaos of noise and distractions and develop the skills and mindset needed to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
Remember, building resilience is not a one-time event but a lifelong process that requires commitment and perseverance. With dedication and a positive attitude, you can cultivate resilience and achieve greater success in both your personal and professional lives.
As someone who has benefited from these strategies, I can attest to their effectiveness in improving focus and building resilience. So take the first step today and implement these strategies into your daily routine.
Tune out the noise. You’ve got this!