Dave Cheong has some great tips to stay focused at work. via 52 reviews
While this wasn’t designed for people with ADD I think many of them do apply to us.
He talks about choosing the right time to do boring tasks. That’s important, but another thing to consider, is to make a list of what you consider to be ingredients of an enjoyable task, and combine using these strategies as well as applying some boredom/transformation strategies to the task.
You might also want to look at this post I did ADD and Getting Motivated Some Questions and Strategies
Different tips will work with different people, why not pick one or 2 that you haven’t tried and appeal to you and try them out for a week to see if they can be helpful?
Here’s a summary of his 18 tips, check his blog for the detailed version.
1. Write out a daily task list and plan your day.
2. Allocate time slots colleagues can interrupt you. I
3. Apply time boxing.
4. Setup filters in your email.
5. Do not check personal email in the morning. There’s even a book on this Never Check E-Mail In the Morning: And Other Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work
:
6. Set your IM status.
7. Listen to the right types of music.
8. Use the headphones but leave the music off.
9. Fill up a water bottle.
10. Find the best time to do repetitive and boring tasks. One of the MOST important things an ADDer can learn to do.
11. Bring your lunch and have it at your desk. (Occasionally)
12. Don’t make long personal calls.
13. Clean up your desk.
14. Get a good chair.
15. Use shortcuts on your computer.
16. Close programs you’re not using.
17. Limit time on Digg, Delicious, news sites and blogs.
18. Change your mindset and make work fun.
I am beginning a new job in a busy front office of an elementary school. I am worried that I won’t be able to concentrate and get any work done, as it is like Grand Central Station in there and I am like the Service Information Desk for students, parents, staff, postal carriers, deliveries ect. I also am worried about learning the names of everyone in the school and what grades they teach as that is one of my very problem areas. Any pointers on how to be pleasant to all the office visitors AND learn the work I have to do and then do it!!! ughh!