You will find throughout your professional and personal life that some people simply don’t “try hard enough” to be rigorous and complete. They rush to get a project done but don’t have the energy, focus, or time to really make it “perfect”. Of course, nothing is ever perfect and everyone makes mistakes. If you don’t focus and try to pay attention to detail, your mistakes will define you. And that is a reputation you do not want in your life.
inspiration with Cynthia C Hakutangwi
Details matter
Attention to detail is the ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task. Details matter because they add up to a more efficient use of your time. When you are not paying attention, you are making mistakes, wasting time, potentially wasting money and causing undue stress for yourself. It is really easy to get involved in too many projects at one time and suddenly having all the details of those projects start falling through the cracks. This can happen with things at home, at school, or even at work. Fortunately, attention to detail is a learned skill, and it’s one that you can definitely cultivate! You can improve attention to detail by using organisational tools, limiting distractions, and giving your mind the conditions it needs to focus.
Make a positive first impression
Paying attention to details is important for avoiding errors, maintaining efficiency, preventing injuries, making a good impression and analysing information. Professionals who are detail-oriented have an advantage in a variety of career fields. Making a positive first impression is part of the foundation for building professional and personal relationships. Attention to detail when meeting someone for the first time involves considerations such as physical appearance, body language and attitude. Noticing details also helps individuals recognise common interests and opportunities for collaboration. Detail-oriented individuals are preferred as employees by many businesses for their analytical and problem-solving abilities. Attention to detail contributes to the capacity to foresee challenges and address them proactively.
Get organised
You will need to have organisation in your life to have any hope of paying attention to the small things. This means having organisation in your work or school life by keeping track of appointments and tasks that need to be accomplished so that you are not surprised when it is time to turn them in.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Make lists
Lists are one really useful way to be organised and to make sure that you know when and how everything needs to come together. You will be less likely to lose track of the details when you have them written out and kept somewhere that you see every day. Have a long-term list and a short-term (weekly or daily) list so that you are able to plan for things in advance. When the items on the long-term list come up, put them on your short-term list, but this way you won’t be surprised by anything in your schedule. Once you’ve completed an item on your list, check it off. That way, you’ll know that you actually did do it and you won’t be in a dither trying to remember whether you’ve completed each step of a certain list item.
Keep to a specific schedule
If you are running around willy-nilly and each day is a different mess of times and items, try to sort it into a routine that follows the same general rhythm. Your brain will be quicker to notice when you’ve dropped the ball on a detail than when each day is a hodgepodge of different things. Do your best to go to bed and get up at the same times each day. This way, your body will be in a single routine and you’ll be getting enough sleep so that your memory will be working better anyway.
Limit distractions
Distractions come in a variety of forms: your family, your friends, that annoying co-worker who won’t stop talking, everything ever on the internet, even being hungry. When you are distracted and you are trying to pay attention to the details of a project or your homework, you are not going to be able to recall things as easily and you’re more likely to forget the details. Try to work in an area that is conducive to focus; not too hot, with good lighting and fewer people coming in and out. If you are working at home, avoid working in your bed and try to have a designated, organised workspace.
Handle multi-tasking with wisdom
Multi-tasking spreads your attention out over a variety of items instead of focusing it on one specific item, which means that you end up unable to give full attention to each item and you won’t be able to get all the details in order. Using the list that you’ve drawn up, you can go from project to project, giving each your full attention. Sometimes you have to multi-task, or you have to conserve your energy by letting some of the details of a project slip because you have so much to do. Focus your attention on the most important projects so that they get your attention to details, while giving less attention to the less important projects.
Get exercise
Exercise helps improve your memory and your concentration abilities while also being good for your whole body. To help improve your attention to detail and to keep your memory strong, you’ll want to engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Your exercise routine could be as simple as walking or biking. You could go for a run, or even just put on some music and dance.
Take breaks
A good way to keep your brain sharp and willing to focus on the smaller details is to allow it to take breaks. Make sure that you schedule them around the same time each day and try for 10 to 15 minutes each. This will give your brain a chance to relax in time for the next project. A break can be something as simple as stretching and taking a short walk around the building. Remember that when you make mistakes or don’t dig deep, you don’t only harm your own reputation; you waste the time of others. And in some cases, you could cost your organisation a lot of money.
Cynthia Hakutangwi is a communications and personal development consultant, life coach, author and strategist. Wholeness Incorporated Coaching offers you strategies you can implement today to become a critical thinker and pursue a significant life. E-mail: [email protected]. Facebook: Wholeness Incorporated.
