How do you stay focused during repetitive work tasks?

1. 39

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   How do you stay focused during repetitive work tasks?
   
   Repetition for me makes it very difficult to concentrate for extended periods - like my mind can't help but wander.  With longer jobs I can stay on task, but quick repetitive things really take it out of me.  How do you manage boredom/repetition at work so that you can focus and not make mistakes?

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2. 82

   Hackslapposted 10 years ago

   Keep taking regular breaks .. like real quick ones which helps the mind refresh ..

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3. 61

   SabrinaSnicketposted 10 years ago

   if repetitive task is hard to handle, then i suggest you make your stick notes. stick it to the place you can see it. for instance, you need to do 10 task in a hour within everyday. you can rumble it like you do the 1st-10th on Monday, 10th-1st on Tuesday, etc. and you must take breaks! it helps to concentrate better!

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4. 93

   Bk42authorposted 10 years ago

   Taking breaks is very important. I also put headphones on and listen to music. If I allow my mind to wander too much I start thinking negative thoughts. If I'm someplace where I can't wear my headphones I'll think of a song I like and sing it to myself in my head.

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5. 88

   MizBejabbersposted 10 years ago

   So much of my work is repetitive because there are certain rules we must follow in our editing process.  When focus gets too intense, I usually pull up my email, both office and personal, and look at it and answer anything that is a quick reply. Sometimes if I’m between documents, I’ll pull up a hub and read it and comment (like right now). A couple of our people put on headphones and listen to Pandora, but I find music too distracting.
   
   We are told to take lots of short breaks, like trips to the coffee machine or water fountain, but sometimes the focus is so intense that hours will go by without us ever leaving our chairs. We do have to be very careful because it is easy to nibble and gain weight if we don’t watch it.

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6. 0

   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   At the place I work, almost any of the individual tasks are repetitive. If it's something that doesn't take much concentration to do, I work on the plot of my novel in my head. If the task takes concentration, I just have to take a short break every so often. Sometimes all I have to do is sit back and take a few deep breaths to clear my head.

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7. 72

   manatita44posted 10 years ago

   Well ChristinS,
   
   It's a  nice practical question, and I would love to answer practically. Still, I cannot think of an easy answer. You know, I do similar things every day. Still, I laugh and chat with my patients and sometimes tell jokes or sing to both patients and staff. They think I'm crazy!!
   
   Have the inner confidence to be bold and try new things. Perhaps a coffee before starting work? I do. Puts me in a great spirit which last all day! The trick is to stay in a high consciousness. You can get this by being in a great environment; pausing to re-fuel in prayer at lunch times, and make it mandatory to meditate or pray interiorly before you leave home.
   
   I can only speak for myself, but inner happiness takes away the boredom. See each thing as slightly new. No two things are ever the same. God bless.

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