How to improve concentration at work: avoid multitasking

What does concentration mean to you? Deep focus? Precise insight? Thoughts organized in a strict line – and there is no task that could break this strong formation? Certainly everyone agrees that the ability to focus and eliminate distractions leads to more efficient work and increased productivity. But in the ever-evolving digital world where we are constantly bombarded by notifications of all kinds, as well as the good old ‘traditional’ interruptions by colleagues, we lose the ability to concentrate on our tasks.

We Titans want to conquer, but sometimes the hardest thing is conquering yourself. The road to laurels leads through your mindset, and this requires a little practice and training. What are we doing to provide good conditions for concentration in the office?

All quiet on the basic front

Let’s get to it. Is basic safety ensured?

Is there a personal problem stressing us out? Sometimes this can be subconscious, so it’s good to ask ourselves these questions and then take appropriate measures. We actively filter and turn off notifications and other distractions. Our ‘batteries’ are fully charged. A good eight hours of sleep does wonders when it comes to better concentration. We don’t always like to admit it, but even the Titans are (sometimes) only human and the body has its needs. When we give it everything it needs, it rewards us with more creative thinking, and then we’re beaming with new connections and ideas.

When we have a lot of tasks ahead of us, it helps to make a list and rank each item in order of importance. That way, we can focus on just one problem at a time and not succumb to the temptations of multitasking. Although multitasking may seem to increase productivity and improve concentration, experience and research show otherwise.

Properly set priorities are far more efficient than multitasking

Multitasking carries the risk of reduced efficiency and increased stress levels. When we multitask, we are more likely to perform poorly on a task than when we give it our full attention. Error rates also increase, because the brain has to constantly switch between different tasks – which leads to forgetting and misunderstandings. Finally, multitasking slows down reaction times and increases fatigue. Let us recall what our colleague Gaius Julius Caesar proclaimed as he stood proud in his galea: ‘It is no less worthy for a soldier to win with wisdom rather than the sword.’ So let’s remember that…

Colleagues & concentration: is it possible?

Finding a balance between peace and quiet at work and interacting with colleagues is often a key factor for effective work in the office. The good thing is that there are rules. Here at TITANS, the office layout helps with this – whoever needs to can ‘hide away’ in a corner or in their own cubicle equipped with soft seating, a blanket and a desk, and when they start to crave company again, they can join their colleagues in the open office. Some even use conference rooms for some privacy when they are not needed by another Titan for a meeting.

The conundrum called time management

Time optimism is humanity’s opium. Sometimes we believe ourselves to be greater Titans than we actually are. Knowing how to estimate the time needed to complete tasks is truly a masterful discipline. We often complicate our lives by not building on our own experience, and things usually take much longer than we imagine… Speaking of which, we were recently inspired by Honza Fojtů’s article Boj s časem (Battle Against Time) on time management.

Another important thing is to take time for yourself. This is the best way to avoid burnout. This doesn’t just mean recharging outside of work. When you get stuck on a task, try to take a break. It often requires some distance and a different perspective. It isn’t uncommon for the solution we are desperately trying to conjure to come to us in the Titans kitchen by the coffee machine, or next to the supply of cashew nuts. Is there someone here who has never experienced this? The brain simply needs to switch to get the dynamics it needs!

Don’t stop me now!

And as we’re speaking of dynamics, how about some music? In headphones, of course. The other Titans also need to eliminate distractions, so we won’t make it harder for them. There are certain styles of music that are said to be suitable for the work environment and that support concentration. Instrumental music, such as jazz, is said to allow better concentration, because you don’t get distracted by the lyrics…

But we were interested in practice, not theory. We wanted to know what other heroes listen to. And our recent survey on  LinkedIn showed a surprising result!

More than half of the voters answered that ‘dynamic upbeat’ music helps them concentrate. No meditation, a wild ride! Calm music or nature sounds were preferred by 15% of yogis, I mean, respondents. And 24% of respondents don’t listen to anything, because it distracts them.

I must also note that this article would never have been written if it weren’t for almost complete silence… When that’s not enough, the author puts a hood on her head instead of a helmet to prevent her thoughts from flying away. :)) May the focus be with you, Titans!