Can’t Focus at Work? Here's Why -- and How to Overcome It

It's Monday! And your brain is switching back into work mode, as the notifications piled up over the weekend start coming in.

Maybe the start of your week goes great -- you're able to make your to-do list for the week, get meetings going, and have no trouble focusing on whichever task is in front of you. But by hump day, or Thursday, all your momentum is lost -- you may open up a Google doc to study but then immediately switch tabs to avoid getting started on work, or take a quick, five-minute break that often turns into an hour or two of doomscrolling.

Why do we have trouble concentrating at work? Sometimes, it may just be the fatigue of a long or difficult week. But other times, it may be the sign of something bigger we're struggling with, which may end up consuming all our productivity if we don't find solutions soon.

So, if you happen to find yourself frequently having trouble focusing on work and want to find out why, read on below!

What is Focus?

The dictionary definition of focus means to concentrate your interest and energy on something. Sounds boring, but it is really the most important thing you need to get anything done. If you can fully engage with your work and block anything that affects your attention span, you'll be surprised at how much you can get done.

Why You Have Trouble Focusing at Work

Sleep Deprivation

Sometimes your brain just feels tired and doesn't let you concentrate at work. Sleep deprivation can be due to a lot of reasons -- you being an evening person, stress in your personal life, long hours at work or even revenge bedtime procrastination. But if you don't break the cycle and try to get enough rest, you'll always feel that brain fog and won't be able to get anything done.

You're Trying to do Everything at Once

Multitasking is the bane of productivity, and of focus. You cannot meaningfully engage in one task if you've got three more going on the side. Even if you have a lot to do, try to make sure you're able to give full attention to one thing at a time.

You have Poor Time Management Skills

Time can be slippery, especially if you don't make it work for you. Inability to manage your time well means that tasks often get pushed, or you're scrambling to meet deadlines. As a result, you're unable to focus properly on tasks.

Poor Attention Span

Life is full of distractions these days, and it takes a lot of mental energy to try and pay attention to one thing for long periods of time. However, if you find yourself constantly getting distracted or unable to sit through a single task for more than a few minutes, this may a sign of other things, including mental health conditions like anxiety or ADHD.

(A note of caution: Mental health conditions should only be diagnosed by a medical professional. Even if you experience any symptoms, book a proper consultation before coming to conclusions!)

Your Health is Working against You

If you've caught a bug or are just recovering from it, you're bound to have difficulty concentrating at work. It may be a sign that you need more rest and time to heal properly.

You don't Enjoy your Work

If you don't really love the work you're doing, even simple tasks start to feel like a burden. Maybe some tasks are just too tedious or difficult to get started on, so you find excuses to delay them. Or, perhaps your work is not what you expected, or you've lost the drive to keep going, which makes it hard to stay motivated and get work done.

No matter the reason, staying held back at work will not do you any favors. So, it may be better to try some strategies to improve concentration and get through your task list. Here are a few to try:

How to Stay Focused at Work

Get Good Rest

Sounds like a no-brainer, but there's nothing like getting a good night's rest. If your nighttime routine is not in place, work to improve it to make sure you're winding down at a good hour, getting quality sleep, and giving yourself time to re-energize before work each day.

Eat Right and On Time

Speaking of energy, fuelling up is important! The lack of balanced meals can lead to low energy levels, and stress, which affect both productivity and health. So, make sure you're taking the time to think about and enjoy your meals!

Make a Work To-Do List

If you have a lot going on, organizing all your tasks into a neatly ordered list will help bring some structure and help you prioritize, so you can first concentrate where it's needed most.

Keep Away all Distractions

Ideally, keep your phone, tablet, and all the things that distract you in a place that is not easily accessible. You can also set up blockers on your laptop browser to help you stick to the tabs you need.

Looking for a cool blocker for your personal computer? Check out our extension here!

Set Specific Time Blocks for your Day

If you need help with your work and time management, try time-boxing your day so you can set a daily routine to follow.

Collaborate when Needed

If some tasks are too monotonous or difficult, reach out to your coworkers or friends for some help and advice. Having someone show you the ropes and look on as you do the work is bound to ensure you don't deviate from it!

Ask for a Role Review

If you're not enjoying your work, consider a change. Speak to your boss about taking on responsibilities that interest and challenge you, to help you contribute more meaningfully to the organization.

Get Accountability

A watchful pair of eyes over your shoulder will help you stay focused at work better, for sure! Try working with an accountability partner or coach (like Boss as a Service) to help improve your ability to focus and ensure you're getting through your tasks and making progress at work!

How BaaS helps you Stay Focused at Work

As an accountability partner platform, improving your motivation and focus at work is one of the key goals of Boss as a Service. Our bosses will check in with you every day to make sure you're getting through your daily schedule and tasks, and also provide tons of productivity tips and techniques to improve your ability to concentrate!

Final Thoughts

A lack of focus at work can be a sign of more serious problems, and take over your productivity if left unchecked. Move immediately to regain control of your concentration!