I’ve recently been working on my focus. And I’ve regained it.
For those who missed out, check out: How to regain focus: My 7-day plan for maximum productivity.
But I still had a problem with one thing: losing concentration after a break.
The problem: The double-edged sword of breaks
I have no doubts about the break. It is necessary.
Neuroscience is clear: it’s impossible to maintain intense concentration for hours on end. Breaks are not a luxury, but a necessity. They recharge the brain, prevent exhaustion and, paradoxically, improve productivity.
The problem.
How can I regain my level of concentration quickly after the break?
How can I avoid falling into distractions?
And I’m not the only one with this problem.
A passage from the book “The Art of Learning” by Joshua Waitzkin had deeply marked me. This former chess grandmaster, who later became a martial arts champion, draws his power from an extraordinary concentration.
When he coached executives to reach their maximum performance, he noticed that they lost their concentration during transitions.
The good news is that there are simple solutions to improve your transitions. I’ve been testing one out over the last few weeks, and it’s helping me enormously.
4 steps that save me a lot of time
(and could do the same for you)
The concrete solutions: Prepare and organize
The key to maintaining your focus after a break lies not in superhuman willpower, but in careful preparation. Here’s a 4-step strategy:
1. Structure your days: the 90/20 rule
The rhythm of 90 minutes of intense work followed by 15 to 20 minutes of rest has been proven. It maximizes your attention span while respecting the natural cycles of your body and mind.
2. Prepare the exit: The pre-break action plan
Before you step away from your desk, take a minute to precisely define the objective of your next session. What do you want to accomplish? What is the specific page where you want to resume?
Sometimes it’s the document you’re writing or your analysis in Excel. Close all unnecessary windows and keep the document you’re going to work on open.
3. Time your break and completely disconnect from work.
The problem with breaks is that you lose track of time. Especially if you start scrolling on your favorite social network. A 20-minute pause can stretch to 40, leaving you with even less energy for the task.
Time your break. 20 minutes, no more. When it rings, you stop.
Be intentional with your rest: Some breaks recharge you, others drain you.
A nap, a short walk, a sunbath, will have a much better effect than an aimless session on your phone.
Consume things that nourish your mind or body. A fruit rather than a processed product. An interesting podcast, rather than the latest news from the press.
4. Preparing the return: The optimized environment
Your environment plays a key role in your ability to regain focus. Think of returning from a break as a personal ritual, almost a ceremony:
Have everything to hand: your tools, your documents, your notes. Recreate the right conditions for work: The timer ready, the music to put you in the right frame of mind, the light to help you stay calm.
Why it works:
These simple habits help you quickly get back into focus after a break. They minimize hesitation, distractions, and indecision. They allow you to regain the appropriate state of mind and resume your work where you left off.
The bottom line
Don’t let transitions distract you.
Use them to improve your productivity.
Well managed, they become your secret weapon to regain your peak performance quickly.
So, what little pre-and post-pause routine will you put in place today?
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