Communication Article: May I Have Your Attention,
Please? Five Ways to Retain Focus and Stay in the Moment
By Joy
Fisher-Sykes
Today many
of us frequently feel stuck in overdrive - days crammed with too much to do
mixed with an unhealthy dose of frequent distractions, all vying for our
attention at the same time. This can cause our minds to be constantly racing
which, in turn, can make focusing our attention seem like an impossible task.
Is it any wonder we find it difficult to pay attention for more than ten seconds
at a time without a sense of dread that we might miss something?
When our
attention is spread too thin, we run the risk of putting our relationships in
peril. Once others believe you have willingly disregarded their presence,
whether intentional or not, your inattentiveness can foster ill-feelings
including anger, annoyance or resentment. Whether you find it difficult to
remain attentive with customers, peers, family or yourself, the ability to
remain connected without daydreaming is possible. So how do you stay present
and in the moment? The following are five ways to help keep your head in the
game and strengthen your attentiveness skills:
§
Practice
doing one thing at a time
Whenever
possible, do one thing at a time. Whether it’s your children describing their
day or your partner boosting about a big accomplishment, stop what you are doing
and focus solely, giving this person your undivided attention.
§
Make contact
As you focus
solely on the conversation, make eye contact. You’ll find it’s difficult to
maintain eye contact and multitask at the same time. Listen with your entire
being (mind, body, spirit) and show others you are present and completely
focused on the conversation – smile, nod, raise your eyebrows, shrug your
shoulders, light up your eyes.
§
Slow down
Many of us
are conditioned to be in a rushed state of mind because we live in a society
that demands achievement be attained quickly. This is precisely the reason many
of us find it so difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. In the rush
of “doing,” the special moments pass us by. Make a commitment to slow down and
focus on the here and now.
§
Commit
yourself
There are
conversations we anticipate will progress quickly, and others we know will be
time-consuming. When engaged in conversation, commit yourself to the time
necessary to complete the dialogue. If you find the time allotted is
insufficient to conclude the talk, arrange for a mutually beneficial time to
complete the discussion.
§
See every
interaction as an opportunity to connect
Every
contact you have with someone presents an opportunity to connect with that
person, to learn a bit more about them. It’s important to remember you can
choose to relate with others positively or negatively. Whenever you come upon
someone, always ask yourself this question – “What will I miss if I choose to
tune out?” Listen to your response, and let this guide your actions and
your choice.
The ability
to remain in the moment is a matter of personal choice. Make a commitment and
follow these simple steps and you’ll expand your interpersonal skills to new
heights of success.
Suggested reading:
Ten Quick Tips for Outstanding
Presentations
Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" Will Help You Get
Your Point Across! (Yes you can, here's the plan!)
How to Set Boundaries and Say No
Five
Secrets to Showing Your Customers You Really Care: Creating Empathy
Check Yourself for Outstanding Customer Service
Leave Your
"Buts" Behind for Great Customer Service
Ten Customer Service Secrets to Win Back Customers
Getting Back to
Basics: A Customer Service Tale
Show Your Customers You Care
Want to learn how to communicate with authority, stay
focused, and master your interpersonal skills? Our
Master Your Attitude,
Team Building,
Life After Downsizing,
How to Develop the Leader Within You, and
How
to Say No and Achieve More communication skills programs can
help you lead others to the next level. Also read our
articles on motivation, goal setting, etc. Call us at 757-427-7032 or
e-mail us at
info@thesykesgrp.com.
Joy Fisher-Sykes is a
professional speaker published in the areas of communication, time
management, and teamwork. She works with business and government
organizations who want to reach the next level of success and individuals who
want to perform at their best. You can email her at jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com,
call her at (757) 427-7032 or visit his Web site at
www.thesykesgrp.com.
