Direct Connect Forum: The Organized Mind

You know what they say about multitasking, right? Everyone can do it, but only the really good people can ACTUALLY do it. Unfortunately, that’s false. No one can truly multitask. As Daniel Levitin puts it in his book, The Organized Mind, every person has an attentional filter and an attentional switch. We go from focusing on one task to switching to another, we can never focus on more things than once.

Have you ever wondered how to stay concentrated by organizing yourself so you switch your attention less? Now’s the time to find out. Watch the video below and learn how to organize your mind for a more productive day.

Things to keep in mind about having an Organized Mind:

• Daydreaming Mode
• Whenever you are NOT focused on a task
• Stay On Task Mode
• The mode you are in when doing something
• Attentional Filter
• What you are paying attention to
• Attentional Switch
• Something that directs our attention from one thing to another

Activity

• After watching the video, try organizing someone else’s schedule with absolute focused attention for 60 seconds. Then, organize another list while being interrupted in the same 60-second window. Use this insight to learn if you work better with white noise or absolute silence.
• Then, after learning this about yourself use a personality assessment to further learn what your environment needs in order for you to have a successful work day. At Deliberate Directions, we use the DISC profiles and have helpful information located throughout our website to assist you in determining which profile you are. If you already know your DISC profile, start with this post on DISC workplace preferences.

I Get Distracted At Work, Help!

At our live event on July 27th, 2022, we had two ladies attend that worked in the same Fairway Independent Mortgage group. While not on a team, they both thought the other would enjoy the forum on an Organized Mind.

Vikkie Miller, before the class began, expressed that she hoped she could walk away with techniques on how to stay focused during the work day. After going through the video and the short exercise done with the group, we were able to take notes. We realized that our other guest was an S on DISC and completely tuned out the video that was used as a distraction, while Vikki tried to organize her tasks and watch the video. I also watched as Vikki, an ID, wrote her categories out so fast and slammed her pen down when finishing. While our S guest methodically went through and put each task in its appropriate category.

We began to strategize with Vikki on different ways she could organize herself at work and also the different tasks needed to keep her energized. This was helpful for the other guest as it gave her ideas on how she could better her schedule or maintain tasks she knew were helpful to her.

Overall, Vikki left with a tool in her belt and the motivation to get organized!

“Class was fun and the content was interesting. It was presented in a way it helped us self-discern what are strengths and weaknesses are. Knowing the DISC profile helps and is beneficial for everyone to take and understand. Not only in the workplace but to help all relationships” – Vikki Miller.