Reclaiming your focus

February 27, 2025

In February, the Chronicle of Higher Education described the current pace in higher education as exhausting, with relentless demands on time, energy, and focus. In addition to core duties like teaching, research, and outreach, many are also expected to serve on committees, revise curricula, adapt to AI, and more. Work increased during the pandemic and hasn't slowed down, all while personal responsibilities continue. With so much demanding your attention, it’s easy to feel drained and distracted, making it harder to focus on what truly matters.

Why Is It Harder to Focus?

Constantly reacting to demands depletes your cognitive energy. Over time, this can lead to disengagement, a common experience for employees overwhelmed by change. Constant distractions and interruptions lower productivity, reduce work quality, decrease focus, and increase stress. While there’s no quick fix, today we offer a two-fold solution: broad ideas on control and motivation, along with a practical, actionable strategy to help improve your week.

Focus and motivation

Focus on what you can control. What can you do today or this week to support your team and move the work forward? Prioritize those tasks. Remember, things will change, so stay flexible. It’s okay not to have all the answers and to admit it.
Reflect on what brings meaning to your work. Another article from The Chronicle cites multiple studies, with the key finding being that the most motivating aspect of faculty work is summed up as, "working with students is the best part of my job."

The Office of Human Resources’ Supervisory Development team surveyed supervisors on what they find most satisfying about their role. Many responses followed specific themes:

“I am able to make an impact on our student body at a much broader scale through leading a team in developing college-wide classes, programs, and 1:1 student support. I also find it rewarding to help others develop, grow, and reach their potential.”
“Watching employees grow professionally and be successful.”
“Accomplishing things together.”

Remembering your "why" can help you stay focused on the rewarding aspects of your role.

A practical approach

When it comes to action, the key isn’t overhauling your entire routine; it’s making small, intentional shifts that help you reclaim your time, focus, and energy. These intentional tasks offer a simple yet powerful way to structure your week:

Brain dump your commitments (this is not a to-do list). Start by listing everything that’s pulling at your attention. This isn’t about prioritizing yet—it’s about clearing mental clutter. Write down work tasks, personal obligations, projects, or lingering thoughts. The goal is to acknowledge what’s on your mind rather than let it operate in the background, draining your energy. Once you’ve brain-dumped your commitments, structure your week by intentionally scheduling four specific types of tasks:
Progress on a meaningful task. Each week, choose one task that brings a sense of accomplishment or aligns with your values. This could be contributing to a project milestone, creative endeavor, or initiative. A simple yet powerful way is to pose a question to reflect on: What is one thing you can accomplish now that will move you forward? By identifying and working on a meaningful task, you emphasize the value of progress, no matter how small. The goal isn’t to finish it all at once but to make steady, meaningful progress.
One learning opportunity. Continuous learning keeps work engaging and helps you stay adaptable. Plan for one activity that helps you grow—reading an article, attending a short training, or asking a colleague about a process you want to understand. Teams that embrace learning in the flow of work (e.g., through meeting debriefs or reflective conversations) report greater long-term engagement.
30 Minutes on an avoided task. We all have overwhelming tasks—ones we put off because they seem too big, unclear, or tedious. Instead of avoiding them indefinitely, commit to just 30 minutes. Often, the hardest part is starting. Once the time is up, create a “Ready-to-Resume plan” that can help manage those unavoidable interruptions and minimize attention residue. Taking time to jot down notes on the interrupted task will allow your attention to switch more quickly instead of holding onto incomplete work.
Connect with a colleague. Social connections at work help prevent burnout. Whether it’s a quick virtual check-in, a coffee chat, or simply reaching out to acknowledge someone’s work, prioritizing connection improves morale. A short, meaningful interaction can reinforce a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Small Shifts, Big Impact

Feeling overwhelmed is understandable. But by making intentional choices—brain dumping commitments, structuring your week around meaningful work, learning, tackling avoided tasks, and prioritizing social connection—you regain control over your focus and energy. Small shifts can be the key to staying engaged and thriving at work in a world that constantly demands your attention.

Topics

Resilience and Wellbeing

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