lack of focus...

finally emerging from a mind numbing exhaustion to complete lack of the ability to focus on the work I am meant to be doing (as evident by the number of posts I have made today!!!)
Help... does anyone have any idea how to get work done when you are like this??????????

I have this problem too (((((((BlackPup))))))))) A lot. Sometimes I find it's not until the end of the day that I'm actually able to crank through my work. I think it has something to do with feeling pressured to get something done before I leave work. I often work best under pressure (time pressure). And I find that I accomplish more in the last 2 hours or so of the day than I do the rest of the day.

I'm definitely not recommending this as an effective way to work though. It's just something I've noticed about my patterns. Lack of focus sucks!! I'm sorry you're struggling with this too. Have you tried breaking down what needs to be done into small chunks??? Perhaps that would help?

I don't know about you but I'm a list maker...so..i make a list in great detail (to ensure i waste as much time as possible) and then i start at the top and work my way down, after each task i take a short 5 min break.Go for a smoke..or air..if you don't smoke...do some jumping jacks...read one of the comics from the news paper, listen to a song you love, write a naughty limerick? Then after i do said pleasurable activity i force my way on to the next task until the list is done. It feels really good to actually cross it off as done, and the little fun reward is also nice for when you have completed something. Worth a shot even if your not much of a list maker.

sundog: as long as I'm not exhausted, this happens to me too...
ryask: great ideas... I already have a list, but it was too big chucks, so I chose 1 table to do, and then got it done and it was alot better than just sitting their not doing anything... I like the reward idea, will try it on monday... I also changed topics and started on something else to do...

Thanks again for your advice, I'm sure it will continue to be a big problem over the next 2 months as I finish writting this stupid thesis!!!

I have the same problem...but I am ADHD and take medication for it...doesn't work half the time. What I usually do is find the time of the day I am most productive. For me it is first thing in the morning. I usually get all my tougher and longer projects done then and save the simpler stuff for the afternoon when I completely lose my ability to stay focused.

Hi BlackPup; sorry you're having trouble at work. Do you have duties at work or part of thesis that you can do when you're not 100%. That's my strategy to get back into the rhthym at work. I also try to go easy on myself. Everyone has days that they don't feel like working, so try to go easy on yourself. Do you have a mentor at work that can help you through this?

My strategy is to tell myself I only have to work for 10 minutes, then I can take a break/write an email, etc. If 10 is too long, I cut it to 5. Again and again until I get through the day/work.

Skully: will try to do that, usually between morning tea and lunch, then like sundog in the late afternoon.
Blue: Unfortunately I am fast running out of the "easy" bits to do!!!!
bpd: Thanks, great idea... still requires some discipline which seems to be absent at the moment

Will try your ideas on monday - literature review week.... grrrrrr

I split my work in chunks of time as well a steps. I work for, say 45 min, or even 30 or 15 depending, and then take a 15 min break. Repeat as necessary.

Just did 15 minutes, it was really painful, but got through it, Having a coffee as a reward then back into it cross fingers I'll get another block done...

I glad that you got through it, that's what matters, not how hard it was. You succeeded!

Well done!! (((((BlackPup))))) Good going!!

Good stuff i knew you could get through this!

Hey, BlackPup? I'm eating that chocolate today and hoping you're making progress!

Sorry you're having trouble focusing - I know the feeling all too well (and the frustration that often accompanies it!). Like a lot of other said, breaking work into chunks helps. I also find that working out helps too - for me it helps get out any extra energy that is keeping me from getting work done and clears my mind.

Hope the thesis is going well! It's crunch time here at my school (2 weeks before 1st semester is over ahhhhh!!!!) so we can suffer together - yay!

laur88 good luck for school...

Just having a couple of days off coz hubby came for a visit... back to work tomorrow, hopefully will be refreshed and get something done.

Unfortunately not refreshed and feeling like a zombie

Sorry to hear you're battling again Blackpup. Take it easy on yourself. You also know your routine has been broken with hubby coming to visit. So let yourself slip back into that routine, and then break your day into chuncks. You CAN do it.

Back to do some more work but really struggling with it... was hopeing to get 3 subsections done today, but will be lucky to do one.... I hate this stupid fuzziness in my head

Is the fuzziness a side-effect of the meds, or because of your emotional state? I hope it passes soon!

Hopefully drug changes will improve things, but at the moment I'm stress and really struggling to get stuff done... 6 more days till its due....

Thanks for alll your encouragment, it really helps

You can do it!!!!!! ((((((BlackPup)))))

I agree with Sundog - you can doooo ittttt!! Keep on pluggin' away!

Completely unmotivated this avo... so hard to concentrate.... so tired... maybe one more page...

We're here with our pom-poms and cheerleaders outfits to encourage you on...! Yo can do that one more page - then do something rewarding for yourself!