It is important that you concentrate on the safe completion of your work. It’s very easy to become distracted. Perhaps you start to think about your weekend plans, or maybe a coworker is chatting to you while you’re working. If you find yourself becoming distracted while completing your task, stop your work and take a break until you feel confident that you can focus on the task completion.

Contrary to what some may think, distractions in the workplace are the norm, not the exception. A 2018 survey showed that 70% of workers said they feel distracted while on the job, and 16% confessed to always distracted.

How to stay Focused

How can you combat distractions and build focus while on the job? It’s not all that complicated.

Have an end goal in mind. Being able to envision the final product of your work is instrumental to staying focused. It will encourage you to be consistent and maintain the quality of your work along every step of the process. It will also ensure that the minor obstacles along the way don’t demotivate you or cause you to lose focus. If you can focus on the big picture, you’ll eventually reach your ultimate goal.

Plan ahead. Implementing work planners can be highly effective in maintaining focus and motivation. It’s natural for one’s mind to wonder. Some are inclined to jump between the various steps in the construction process. It’s also a good idea to write down any personal “to-do’s”, so you can relax and focus on your work, instead of what you may possibly forget to do when you get home. This can lead to inconsistent quality of work, and cause workers to lose focus. To-do lists will provide a distinct road map, encouraging you to hone in on one step at a time, and focus on it until you finish it, before moving onto the next

It may seem harmless to let your mind wander away from the task at hand, but inattention and a lack of mindfulness of the task are contributing factors to incidents.

Network and collaborate. No man is an island, and it’s important not to be a lone wolf in an industry such as ours. The bonds between fellow construction workers can go a long way in keeping you motivated and focused. Work together to support each other and share ideas to inspire one another when work gets stressful, or worse, boring. Your coworkers aren’t the only ones you should build bridges with. Having a positive client/worker relationship can make all the difference in worker motivation. Nobody wants to work with a problematic client; getting along with your client can encourage you to work harder to satisfy their needs and expectations.

Curb your use of technology. Modern technology can be your most incredible tool, with new and improved guides and instructions for every area of construction right at your fingers. Use this resource effectively, and it can significantly increase productivity. It can also be your worst distraction. It is up to you to practice self-control in deciding when to and not to use it.

Keep your workspace tidy and organized. A cluttered workspace can make retaining focused impossible. On the other hand, an organized one can significantly improve workflow, minimizing the time it takes to complete tasks and helping workers maintain focus in doing so.

The Consequences of Lacking Focus

According to recent studies, most workers only spend 25-35% of their time focused on their work. Once they lose focus, it can take an average of 23 minutes for workers to regain it and continue their work. Losing focus can lead to an instant decline in your quality of work, and in worst-case scenarios, lead to injury. You may be operating heavy machinery during your work; it’s imperative to stay focused. Failure to focus when doing so can lead to property damage and harm to yourself and others around you. Stay focused, everyone!