In today’s world, work-from-home models are as common as they are hotly debated. While comfort and convenience make excellent upsides, working from home can come with drawbacks: straining communication, limiting in-person interactions, and filling the day with countless distractions
As a hybrid company spanning multiple cities, Hencove is familiar with the ups and downs of remote work. While we’re constantly finding new opportunities to connect and collaborate online, we’re far from immune to the challenges of navigating the virtual workplace.
This month, as we transition away from our dedicated office space and embrace working virtually, maintaining efficiency and a positive employee experience is at the forefront of our minds. We’ve found that when it comes to maximizing productivity while reaping the benefits of a five-second commute, success starts with one’s mindset. Today, we’re exploring how you can manage your attention, optimize your focus, and make the most of your remote workday.
Managing Your Attention (and Expectations)
When talking about productivity, most people immediately think about time management. However, the issue isn’t just about managing time. It’s also about managing attention.
Attention management is the art of prioritizing the people and projects that matter. It challenges us to focus on getting things done for the right reasons, with the right intentions, and at the right time. Often, our struggles with productivity stem from a lack of motivation rather than a lack of efficiency.
Instead of relying on sheer willpower and discipline to carry you through a task, consider the bigger picture. Who does your work benefit? How does it contribute to a larger goal? Whether you’re hitting “send” on an email or landing the plane on an important deliverable, each contribution matters. By tuning out the clock and homing in on the purpose behind your work, you’ll be intrinsically motivated to keep things moving.
Understanding to Overcome
Have you ever found yourself looking at a difficult task and thinking, “I’ll deal with this tomorrow”? That’s procrastination at work, where short-term relief often trumps long-term satisfaction. According to your brain, your future self is a stranger, and when difficult tasks trigger an unpleasant feeling such as anxiety or overwhelm, your brain finds resolution through procrastination.
Because procrastination often happens against our better judgment, breaking the cycle requires introspection. When you’re working on something, ask yourself how you feel about the task at hand. If you feel bored to the point of procrastination, try making procrastination more inconvenient than the task itself. Place your phone on the opposite side of the room, log out of your social media accounts, and set time constraints that limit your access to digital distractions. For longer projects that require sustained focus, try becoming unreachable––block out the time to turn off your phone and close your email, dedicating yourself entirely to one project. Just remember to check in with colleagues before going dark!
Another likely culprit behind procrastination is the fear of failure. Whether you worry about missing deadlines, falling short of expectations, or facing your imposter syndrome, it’s essential to acknowledge those feelings and ground yourself in the present moment. Try practicing the “next step technique.” Think about each step in your routine as a theoretical possibility rather than a foregone certainty, and ask yourself: “If I were to start this project now, what would I do first?”
Your brain space isn’t the only setting that matters. Whether you feel unstimulated, overwhelmed, or anything in between, finding a workspace that clears your mind and powers your focus is key. When working remotely, it’s also important to maintain clear boundaries around your professional life. Build a space and routine that not only strengthen focus, but also help your brain transition between each sphere of your life.
It’s all about time and place. Instead of jumping straight into the workday, build in some time for a morning routine. Even something as small as a screen-free cup of coffee can help you ease into the day and approach your work with intention. When it comes to physical space, ensure a healthy degree of separation between your work life and your leisure. Whether you’re making the morning commute to your home office or your kitchen table, note which surroundings can propel your work and which elements of your environment chip away at your focus.
To Be or Not to Be… in the Office
That is the question! At Hencove, we’re constantly collaborating from different locations. As much as we enjoy in-person brainstorms and problem-solving sessions, we don’t let physical distance disrupt our communication. By fostering a team-oriented and communication-forward culture, we create opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues through a screen.
Productivity isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding the tactics that work best for you and your team and using them to your advantage. So, the next time you’re tempted to scroll endlessly or put off an important task, take a deep breath, refocus, and tackle your work with intention.
