focus-blog - Talk About Talk

Let’s focus. 2021 has the potential to be an amazing year. Certainly, there are some things we can’t control, but many things we can. It just takes a little FOCUS.

Read on to learn how you can leverage your awareness and ability to FOCUS. FOCUSING can help you succeed in many contexts:

focusing your New Year’s resolutions
focusing versus multi-tasking
focusing in formal communication (work emails, presentations)
focusing in virtual meetings

image: Unsplash @ markusspiske

FOCUS & NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

QUESTION:

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?
HOW MANY?

image: Unsplash @ shima_giraffe

FOCUSED ANSWER:
There’s an abundance of research out there about setting and achieving goals. Goals are more likely attained when they’re S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Regardless of how many resolutions you have, make sure they are S.M.A.R.T. Chances are you won’t have more than 1-2 resolutions that get the ✅checkmark on each of these 5 criteria.

Get out a piece of paper right now, write down your resolution, and list how it is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound!

image: Unsplash @ isaacmsmith

Focus your resolutions!

FOCUS vs. MULTI-TASKING

QUESTION:

Should I focus or should I multi-task?

image: Unsplash @ andrewtneel

FOCUSED ANSWER:
According to the American Psychological Association, Multi-tasking = Switching. In other words, “skilled multi-taskers” are skilled at switching between tasks.

Multi-tasking was once lauded as an enviable skill. But recent research highlights inconsistent correlations between the self-perceived ability to multi-task, demonstrated multi-tasking, and productivity. In fact, many productivity gurus now recommend singular FOCUS as a strategy.

Given these insights, if you’re looking to improve your productivity, consider the trade-off between batching your time on a single task versus the switching costs associated with multi-tasking.

image: Unsplash @ deandre

Of course, you can still listen to a podcast
while you’re walking the dog!

FOCUSING YOUR FORMAL COMMUNICATION

QUESTION:

What’s the #1 most important thing to consider when
preparing an important email or a big presentation?

image: Unsplash @ austindistel

FOCUSED ANSWER:
As you prepare your email or your speech, ask yourself: “What’s my one, key message?”

A coherent, consistent message is easier to understand.
Sharing (or asking for) many things may be overwhelming to the recipient or the audience. FOCUSING on one message (or ask) may improve comprehension and/or compliance.
People are busy and distracted! Keep your communication FOCUSED and they will be more likely to internalize the message.

image: Unsplash @ chaseelliottclark

“What’s my ONE, KEY MESSAGE?”

FOCUSING IN VIRTUAL MEETINGS

QUESTION:

Do you ever check email or social media during online meetings?
Do you ever turn your camera off and do something else?

image: Unsplash @ magnetme

FOCUSED ANSWER:
If your attention and participation in the meeting is not required, you need to ask yourself, “Why am I attending this meeting?”

A few suggestions to help you FOCUS in virtual meetings:

Consider what are your GOALS for this meeting? Are you trying to convince someone of something? Demonstrate your creativity and problem-solving? Demonstrate your value as a team-player or leader?…
SILENCE your phone and turn off notifications.
Print the AGENDA and handwrite your goal for the meeting at the top of the page. Use this sheet to handwrite meeting notes during the meeting.
Use the CHAT function to communicate offline with meeting participants (not text!)
For important meetings where you play a major role, tape your “CHEAT SHEET“ (with frameworks and people’s names) near the camera, so you stay FOCUSED and don’t forget the main points. (More HERE)
If the conversation goes OFF-TOPIC, raise your hand and politely ask, “Is there anything else we need to cover here? I need to get back to work.”