Tips for Staying Focused and Organized When Working Solo
A lot can be said about this topic, and not only concerning sound design. As sound designers or mixers, we will have to spend a lot of time in front of a computer (in the studio, or anywhere else), and we are not always as productive as we would like to be. One little glance at Instagram or the app of our choice, and two hours later we’re in a panic:
Most of us are procrastinators and our sustained attention span is getting shorter and shorter due to several factors. One of them is the number of items competing for our attention, especially through notifications on our cell phones. This fact leads us to live in predetermined modes of distraction, which decreases our productivity and prevents us from dedicating time to important activities. In addition, lack of discipline regarding deadlines is a common problem that worsens the situation.
Faced with this situation, it is necessary to take a proactive attitude and make small decisions that can change the course of our lives. To improve our concentration and organization, it is essential to establish habits. A habit is the minimal and atomic expression of our path toward the destiny we have set for ourselves in life. It is important to understand the purpose of each habit and work on our discipline so that it becomes a natural part of our life, rather than relying on willpower.
To improve our productivity and quality of life, we need to be aware of the factors that affect our attention span and establish habits that help us achieve our goals. It is important to work on our discipline and hack our life to make the right thing easier and the wrong thing harder.
There are many tips for this, and here is a short list. However, keep in mind that this is a personal journey and you must discover what best fits your mindset and lifestyle, as well as what is the purpose that makes you turn off the alarm clock every morning.
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro technique is a time management technique based on dividing work into 25-minute intervals (pomodoros) followed by short 5-minute breaks. After four pomodoros, a longer break of 15–30 minutes is taken.
From a cerebral point of view, this technique is important because it helps train the ability to concentrate and maintain attention on a task for an extended period. By dividing work into smaller time intervals, the likelihood of the brain becoming distracted or saturated is reduced, which can improve productivity and quality of work. In addition, regular short breaks allow the brain to recover and recharge, which can improve creativity and problem-solving ability.
Exercise
Yes: it’s not just about looking good. If you exercise just twenty minutes before you start your day, you’ll have enough energy for a day’s work (and sleep better at night).
Meditation
Through this practice, you can develop your ability to concentrate, reduce stress and improve mental clarity. It is not a matter of spirituality. It is just a series of exercises that will allow you to have the ability to be present in the present moment without being distracted by negative thoughts or emotions. By being more present and aware of our actions and thoughts, we can make more effective decisions and be more focused on our tasks.
In addition, meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can be factors that affect productivity and organization at work. By learning to manage stress and anxiety, we can be more effective in our work and better handle challenging situations.
Night’s Sleep
This is essential for productivity and good organization at work. It is recommended to sleep 7 to 8 hours a night, on a regular schedule, to ensure good quality sleep and maximize our potential at work. If after sleeping 7 to 9 hours you feel rested, alert, and energetic throughout the day, you are probably getting enough sleep. If, on the other hand, you feel drowsy, fatigued, or struggle with sleep during the day, you may need more sleep. For a week or two, try to get the same amount of sleep each night and record how you feel during the day. If you feel rested and energetic throughout the day, you may have found the right amount of sleep for you.
Caffeinate at the right time
As Make Time points out, caffeine can be a helpful or harmful substance for productivity, depending on how we use it. It’s best to drink coffee or any other caffeinated substance at a time interval from mid-morning (when the cortisol we wake up with starts to drop) to six hours before bedtime.
The Einstein Hour
We all have a time of day when we are more alert, have more energy, and can be more productive. Depending on whether we are morning or evening people, that time will be different in each case. Identify that time and take care of the priority of the day at that time. Every day, look at your agenda and identify what your priority is; try to make it a reasonable task, and don’t rest until you finish it.
White Noise
Finally, if you are in the middle of a task that does not require you to wear headphones (e.g., calibrating and adjusting speakers in a recording studio or movie theater), you can play white noise in the background. White noise can help reduce the distraction of background noises, such as conversations, telephone rings, or traffic noise. By covering these sounds, white noise can help create a quieter, more consistent environment that is conducive to concentration and creativity.
In addition, white noise can also help reduce stress by reducing the body’s fight or flight response to stressful noises. This can help improve mood and reduce mental fatigue, which in turn can increase productivity.
If you need consulting for your audio and video projects, don’t hesitate to contact Enhanced Sound Media Studio. We will be more than happy to take your work to excellence.
