“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
~Bruce Lee

Whether you are working from home or you are back in the office, distractions happen. Some people find it difficult to regain their focus after getting interrupted, while others can refocus quickly. If you are going to do your best work, you must learn how to keep diversions at bay and stay focused.

Michael S. Hyatt, an author, podcaster, blogger and speaker, notes that in a distraction economy, focus is a rare commodity. He encourages leaders to learn how to alleviate distractions in the workplace and help their team members stay focused on their daily work.

In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share nine ideas from Hyatt on how to increase your concentration levels and zero in on the task at hand.

1. Schedule time to focus. What gets scheduled gets done, Hyatt notes. If you do your best work in the morning, block off time in your calendar to complete your most important projects.

2. Spend time alone. Sometimes it’s helpful to shut your office door or put on a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to signal to those around you that you do not want to be interrupted. You could also designate a day in the week as a meeting-free day.

3. Get offline. The constant ping from emails, texts and Slack messages can make it near impossible to truly focus. Hyatt recommends turning off notifications or using a tool to block content.

4. Lower the room temperature. To increase your focus, lower the temperature in your office. Hyatt points out a study from Scientific American that found that cooler rooms improve concentration.

5. Get comfortable. Do you like working at a stand-up desk? Like to have a cozy blanket draped over your legs? Find what works for you and you will find it easier to stay focused.

6. Turn on some music. According to Stanford University researchers, the right music can help you stay on track. After studying the effect of music on the brain, they found that music engages areas of the brain involved in paying attention, making predictions and updating memory.

7. Watch how food affects your focus. Hyatt suggests paying attention to what you eat and drink and how it makes you feel when you are working. Does a second cup of coffee help you focus or does it make you jittery? Maybe you need to keep snacks handy or track your water intake to make sure you stay hydrated. Hyatt recommends adding foods thought to increase brain function such as salmon, coffee, blueberries and chocolate.

8. Establish mini goals. According to Hyatt, a mini goal is a small project you can accomplish in a set period of time. For example, he likes to set a mini goal of writing a 500-word blog post in 45 minutes several times a week. He knows his average writing time is 75 minutes per post, so setting a timer helps him stay on track.

9. Take breaks frequently. Remember not to power through your day without working in some breaks. It’s important to pause often, whether you make another cup of coffee, take a quick walk or pause for a few minutes of meditation.

To get the most out of every workday, you must commit to being intentional with how you spend your time. Rather than allowing yourself to get sidetracked by every little disruption, make a point to keep yourself on track. Even by working in a few of the ideas above, you can give yourself a valuable concentration boost.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Michael S. Hyatt is an American author, podcaster, blogger, speaker and the CEO and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company. He has written several books about leadership, productivity and goal setting.

Sales professionals often spend a good portion of their day crafting emails. While they might be adept at verbal communication, they may not be as skillful when it comes to the written word. Still, emails matter. Sales reps must know how to use the right words in their emails if they want to make a great impression on clients and prospects and increase their chances of landing a meeting.

Steve Adcock, a contributor to CNBC, CBS MarketWatch and The Ladders, says there are seven phrases and words that can help sales professionals communicate their message clearly and decisively. We highlight Adcock’s suggestions in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.

No. 1: The recipient’s name.
Adcock says personalizing your emails establishes an immediate connection between you and the recipient. He recommends using recipients’ names when it makes sense. In other words, do not stuff names unnaturally into your email message. This appears spammy and computer-generated.

No. 2: Simple.
By including the word “simple” in your emails, you convey that your message isn’t complicated. People are busy and prefer things that are easy and smooth over things that are complex and difficult to understand.

No. 3: Also.
According to Adcock, words like “also” and “and” are great ways to imply something important. These words are especially valuable when writing sales or marketing emails. By using these words, you demonstrate that the recipient is getting more than just one piece of valuable information. Everybody likes a little something extra if it adds value.

No. 4: Right.
When people see this word, they often think of other related words like “correct” or “appropriate,” says Adcock. “Right” is typically associated with positive feelings—which is how you want people to feel when they read your emails. When you use the word “right” early on in your message, you can set a positive and confirming tone for your email.

No. 5: New.
Most people love the word “new” since it conjures images of clean and high-quality. That’s why we use the phrase “new car smell.” Adcock notes that when something is new, it is also often fresh or never seen before, which people like.

No. 6: Freebie.
A “freebie” is something that people get in exchange for something else. Maybe you send them a free download or checklist in exchange for their contact information. You should use “freebie” or something like it in your emails since most everyone likes getting something for nothing.

No. 7: Backed.
Adcock says the word “backed” implies authority. For example, if you say that something is “customer-backed” or “research-based,” you can help add credibility to your statement.

If you want more clients and prospects to read and respond to your emails, try incorporating some of the above words and phrases into your copy. You will come across as a smarter communicator and inspire recipients to take action.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Steve Adcock is a regular contributor to The Ladders, CBS MarketWatch and CNBC. He writes about mental toughness, financial independence and how to get the most out of your life and career.

Some people love a good to-do list. They like to jot down all the tasks they hope to accomplish in a certain time period and then feel the satisfaction of crossing off various items. The thing is, though, that to-do lists aren’t always effective. Many people use them as parking lots for items they want to get to eventually and they end up getting overwhelmed and not completing the tasks at all.