Feeling Distracted By Current Events? Here Are Some Tips For Staying Focused

Have current events affected your focus at work? How are you staying productive? Tell us about it in the comments.

Between the dizzying amount of news flooding the headlines and civil unrest that has erupted over the last few months, many people across our sector (and, let's face it, everyone in general), are feeling overwhelmed and distracted by the news cycle. And with your news feed vying for your attention at all times, it can feel impossible to focus on work.

It’s human nature to want to stay connected at all times and to be drawn to what that is most scary, urgent, and shocking—but it is possible, and even healthy, to maintain a balance and stay productive.

Set boundaries for yourself

While it may seem like obvious advice, putting this into practice can take a lot of self-control. With the 24/7 nature of today’s reporting, and a near-constant stream of “breaking” news, it can feel like you’ll miss something important if you tune out for a while. This is when it is most important to practice setting boundaries. Here are some ideas.

• Take a rest. Schedule breaks throughout the day at specified times to turn on the news or check the latest in your news feed. It's natural to want to be informed, but make sure to notice how checking the news mid-day makes you feel. If you're walking to lunch with zero appetite because you're so upset, then consider capping your news intake to a single check in once a day. Otherwise, when those five- or ten-minute breaks are up, pause your notifications and return to whatever task you want to focus on.
• Write out daily to-do lists with the day’s goals and priorities. Check the news only after you’ve accomplished a certain amount of tasks and continue to set attainable goals for yourself throughout the day.
• Quit the doomscrolling, please! Are you someone who wakes up in the morning and starts scrolling...and scrolling? Make it a habit not to begin scrolling through the news first thing in the morning before work. Instead, put your phone on another table or in another room the night before so that you have to physically get out of bed to check it. That way, you're less likely to remain horizontal and looking at a tiny screen for long stretches of time.
• Download a mindfulness app. Mindfulness is the practice of being intentional with your work, tasks, and day-to-day. Whether you decide to download an app that blocks distractions so you can get your work done, or a meditation app that helps you achieve positive work-life balance, make sure to actually use this tool to your advantage, and ensure it fits with your work style.

Take care of yourself and your team

While self-care is always important, it is especially critical during difficult times. Carve time into your day for activities that are not related to current events or work, such as exercise and meditation. Maintaining a regular self-care practice lowers anxiety, prevents burnout, and helps you to feel your best both at work and in your personal life.

And if you are feeling overwhelmed, distracted, and saddened by current events, chances are your co-workers are, too. Whether you are working at home or in the office, make sure to regularly check in with your team and maintain open communication. If you have co-workers who are personally affected by current events, either directly or indirectly, see if they need anything and ask how you can help. Cultivating empathy at work will help the whole team be happier and more productive.

Assess how current circumstances can be brought into your work

Rather than seeing the current events as a distraction that takes your focus away from work, are you feeling inspired to take action at work?

If you’re working in the social-impact space, the goals or priorities of your organization may be affected by recent federal funding cuts to organizations with missions devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), LGBTQ+ rights, and similar causes. More than that, it's possible your organization is devoted to serving a community that is finding the current environment especially difficult. After all, our work does not exist in a bubble.

Think about whether there are new initiatives you’d like to be involved in at your organization. If you see a need that your organization is not already filling, now might be a great time to bring it up with your supervisor.

During this and other periods of uncertainty and unrest, it is essential to stay informed and to act in any way you are inspired to. But maintaining a healthy balance in consuming the news—and always taking care of yourself and those you work with—is key to staying on track and maintaining your productivity.