If you're like many workers, you've suffered from periods where you can't concentrate. Your productivity drops, you feel like you're not in the zone, and no matter what you try you just can't get back in the swing of work.
This sort of slump happens to us all, but the important thing to remember are what strategies you can employ to snap out of the funk, kill the noise, and get back into your flow state where work comes easy.
One school of thought advocates simple measures like cleaning up around your desk, setting boundaries with co-workers, and using visualization to help train your mind. All of these techniques are solid, but there are some other tools you can use to get yourself even deeper in the proverbial zone.
Take Advantage Of Available Tools
These are nearly ubiquitous nowadays, so there's no reason for you not to take advantage of at least some of the awesome productivity tools designed to keep you focused.
You have, for example, hundreds of white noise and relaxing sounds channels on YouTube. How can those help? Strap on some headphones, play your favorite nature noises or study music tracks and you will not only block out noise from the outside that could draw your focus away from your work, but you will also be able to kill distracting thoughts within your head that beckon you to wander off task.
Subtle background noise has been shown to improve memory and concentration, and it also helps you stay relaxed and unfettered while you're doing stressful tasks. There's no reason not to use it to nudge yourself into the zone and work to the best of your ability.
Clock Your Efforts
You might also try using any number of online time clock like Clockspot-they serve as a subtle reminder of what you should be doing and when you should be doing it. These can help you track how long you've been on a certain task, let you split your productivity sessions up between working periods and break periods, and stay on schedule like a productivity machine.
Use Physical Productivity Enhancers
Something that has taken off in the past few years is the idea of "human optimization." That is, using various tools in conjunction with substances to help the human body work closer to its peak level of performance.
You've probably already tried it before, by downing a cup of coffee or tea for a caffeine boost. It's well known that caffeine helps stimulate the mind and boost energy, but there are other compounds that take caffeine and "stack" it with other helpful substances to increase the benefit. On the whole, these are known as "nootropics," chemicals that enhance the mind.
One such nootropic is OptiMind, a blend of twelve well-known ingredients GABA, Phosphatidylserine, Vitamin D-3, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Caffeine, Huperzine A, Tyrosine, Taurine, Vitamin B-12, Sulbutiamine, Vinpocetine and Bacopa Monnieri. In conjunction, these are purported to help boost productivity beyond normal levels and aid you in getting stuff done.
Have A Productivity Mindset
Above all else, though, you need to be in the frame of mind to do your best work. It all starts with you taming your mind and adopting the characteristics of one that is made to succeed. Lifehack has a great article on some of the ways you can fine-tune your thinking to go beyond just being busy and start becoming productive.
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