In my early days as a freelancer, I used to think that bouncing around from project to project (or task to task) every few minutes was the key to my productivity. “I need variety!” I thought. “That will keep things fresh and keep me on my toes!”
I was wrong! What I was really doing was using up my precious attentiveness each time I moved to another task. I couldn’t seem to figure out why I was so tired midway through the day and, when I shut down for the night, why I hadn’t gotten nearly as much done as I had hoped.
Learning to focus on one project at a time is the key to both productivity and making the most of your energy.
Of course, “focusing” is easier said than done. To that end, here are three books that will help you stop bouncing around from task to task and put concentrated effort into one thing at a time, resulting in higher productivity (and, dare I say, happiness!).
Indistractible by Nir Eyal
Eyal is also the author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, which teaches companies how to get customers hooked on their products. To the contrary, in this book he’s teaching us how NOT to get sucked in.
This book is an excellent look at why we get easily distracted by certain things and what we can do to avoid those distractions and stay focused.
Now, more than ever, we need to learn to focus on our task at hand and not be distracted by every little buzz and beep from our phones, emails, Siri and Alexa, and the multitude of electronic devices that we use every day.
If you’re like most of us, you likely get pulled away from what you’re working on to jump to these pings. But as Eyal says in Indistractible, the key isn’t just ignoring our devices. Instead, he gives a four-step system for following through on what we say we’re going to do. I love an actionable guide to being more proactive!
Favorite quote: “Most people don’t want to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth that distraction is always an unhealthy escape from reality.”
Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
Hyatt has a different spin on focusing, saying that some kinds of tasks are not WORTH focusing on.
In his book, he helps you evaluate what’s truly important in your job, eliminate what’s not, and make sure that your time is spent on activities that will move you forward in your life and energize you instead of those that deplete you.
(Yes! Isn’t what what we’re always looking to do?)
Favorite quote: “I wish I had a nickel for every time someone excused their lack of productivity by saying, ‘I tried that before, and it didn’t work.’ That is definitely not the mantra of high-achievers. In fact, high achievers never give up simply because one solution failed. Instead, they keep looking for what will work, and they don’t stop until they find it.”
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
Lastly, it’s always easier to focus on a task at hand if you’re feeling centered and powerful. Holiday’s book looks at what he calls “stillness” or the power to stay even-keeled and focused. He uses famous figures in history and includes tips on how to cultivate stillness in ourselves. (I’m still a work in progress!)
Favorite quote: “The less energy we waste regretting the past or worrying about the future, the more energy we will have for what’s in front of us.”
Your Turn!
Are there any great books on focus that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below.
