I used to think the hardest part of my job was meeting deadlines.
Or maybe it was figuring out how to stay focused at work and get things done between thirty unread messages and rewriting the same sentence twelve different ways because “it needs to sound more natural.”
But over time, I realized the real challenge was this:
keeping my attention on the one thing that matters most — right now.
Not the kind of focus you find in a silent cabin in the woods. I mean the real-life version — the slightly-overcaffeinated, trying-to-work-through-Slack-notifications-and-oat-milk-spills kind.
The kind you fight for between browser tabs and that sudden urge to organize your desktop folders.
Be Honest — Have You Figured Out How to Stay Focused at Work and Get Things Done?
You start your morning with a plan. The to-do list is tidy. You tell yourself this is the day you’ll finally stay on track, the day you figure out how to stay focused at work and get things done.
Fast forward:
You’ve answered five messages, watched a video on how to fold fitted sheets (again), and somehow ended up reorganizing your digital downloads folder like your life depends on it.
Your actual work? Still untouched.
Your attention span? On a break.
Your mood? Somewhere between mild irritation and “maybe I just wasn’t meant for this.”
If that sounds familiar — congratulations. You’re not lazy. You’re just a modern human trying to work in a world built for distraction.
My origin story (feat. burnout, coffee, and too many browser tabs)
Fifteen years ago, I hit my personal focus rock bottom.
I was in marketing — which meant constant context switching, creative tasks on a timer, and the quiet background fear of being behind on everything, always.
So I tried something that felt slightly ridiculous at the time:
I did one thing at a time.
That’s it. One task. No “multitasking” (which, spoiler: isn’t real).
I worked in 10–15 minute blocks. Took short breaks. Didn’t judge myself when I wandered — just gently came back.
And you know what?
It worked. My output improved. My confidence grew. I made one of the biggest leaps in my career that year — not because I was working harder, but because I was finally working on purpose.
>I had started to learn how to stay focused at work and get things done, even when everything around me was pulling for my attention.
I didn’t just learn to respect focus.
>I learned to trust it.
And maybe more importantly — I stopped waiting for “the perfect moment” to begin.
Some science, because I love receipts:
According to research, the average worker gets distracted every 3 minutes.
Moreover, it takes up to 23 minutes to fully refocus after each interruption (University of California).
In addition, multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40% (Harvard Business Review).
So, no — it’s not just you.
In fact, we’re all swimming upstream — through noise, notifications, and mental clutter — all while trying to figure out how to stay focused at work and get things done, right in the middle of all that chaos.
What Helps Me Stay Focused at Work and Get Things Done
Let’s be clear: I still lose focus.
Sometimes by 9:17 AM. Sometimes mid-sentence.
Still, here’s what helps me find my way back:
A weekly plan that doesn’t feel like punishment.
Short focus sprints, followed by actual breaks. (Standing in the kitchen holding a spoon is technically a break.)
And honestly? A little digital structure — like doBoard.
I wrote more about how I build that kind of system (without losing my mind) in this post about managing your week with less stress and more clarity.
Why I use doBoard (besides needing someone to keep me honest)
It’s not flashy. It doesn’t yell. It doesn’t gamify my guilt.
>It just helps me see what I’m really doing — and what I’m pretending to do.
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I track focus blocks (spoiler: I’m not as productive as I think)
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I see how much time I spend on real priorities
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I get gentle reminders when I drift into “productive procrastination”
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I spot patterns — like how Thursdays tend to eat my brain
I use doBoard because it keeps my expectations real and my guilt low. Which, honestly, is a rare combo.
And if you’re curious how my workspace plays into all this, I wrote more in this post about digital distractions and physical chaos. Spoiler: it’s not just your desk — it’s your tabs, your lighting, and maybe your very soul.
And now, I want to hear from you
Let’s make a deal.
If you’ve read this far, that already proves your attention span is better than mine on most days.
That said, I’m curious:
What actually helps you focus?
Do you use a system? A playlist? A promise to yourself not to open TikTok before noon?
More importantly, what’s the weirdest thing that derailed your day recently?
Of course, there’s no pressure to write a novel.
But if you’ve got a story, a trick, or just want to say “same,” I’d genuinely love to hear it.
Here’s the thing:
I don’t write these articles as an expert.
Rather, I write them as someone who’s trying, failing, learning, and coming back to center — right alongside you.
Throughout my career, I’ve led projects in FMCG, retail, and e-commerce — from launching mobile apps to optimizing advertising and implementing CRM systems.
I’m passionate about data-driven marketing and enjoy turning complex challenges into clear, effective strategies.