In this episode of Building Better Habits, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche delve into an essential skill for productivity—improving focus. Drawing from personal experiences and practical methodologies, they explore ways to enhance your attention span and align your efforts with meaningful outcomes. Here’s a recap of their discussion, peppered with insights to help you sharpen your focus and stay on track.
The episode opens with an acknowledgment of the common struggle many face—distractions. From holiday chaos to unexpected snow days, Rob and Michael discuss how life’s interruptions can derail even the best-laid plans. The key, they emphasize, lies in understanding the why behind your tasks and maintaining clarity about your goals. They draw a distinction between being busy and being productive, urging listeners to focus on what truly matters.
Rob highlights how distractions, such as digital notifications or seemingly minor tasks, often lead to wasted time. By contrast, deliberate planning and mindful action can help you avoid these pitfalls.
1. The Pomodoro Technique
Rob praises the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management strategy that involves breaking work into focused intervals (typically 25 minutes), followed by short breaks. He suggests starting small by committing to just one or two Pomodoros a day and building from there. This approach helps sustain concentration and prevents burnout.
2. Prioritize Your “Why”
Both hosts stress the importance of understanding the purpose behind each task. Before diving into work, ask yourself:
This reflective practice can help you stay focused on tasks that provide real value rather than getting sidetracked by unnecessary details.
3. Avoid Rabbit Holes
Rob and Michael caution against spending excessive time on minor, non-essential details. For instance, tweaking the color of a button or perfecting a report with excessive detail can eat away at time without adding meaningful value. Instead, focus on functional outcomes that directly address the needs of your project or customer.
One of the most relatable moments comes when Rob shares his analogy of creating a forest path. He explains that when cutting a path through dense woods, the goal is to clear a functional route—not to make it beautiful right away. Similarly, in software development and other projects, focus first on achieving functionality. Aesthetic enhancements can come later once the foundational work is complete.
Timeliness is a recurring theme in this discussion. The hosts emphasize delivering work just in time—when it’s needed. Agile and Scrum methodologies align well with this principle, encouraging developers to prioritize high-value features and tackle them incrementally. By focusing on timely execution, you can avoid overengineering early stages and adapt as requirements evolve.
1. Build Habits Around Focus
Developing habits like regular breaks, structured time management, and prioritization can significantly enhance your focus. Rob suggests starting your day by creating a thoughtful to-do list. Before beginning a task, identify the quickest, most efficient path to completion.
2. Stay Productive, Not Just Busy
Michael adds that being productive means focusing on meaningful work rather than trying to appear busy. Clear communication, especially in status reports, ensures that your contributions are visible without unnecessary fluff.
3. Define Completion
Understanding what “done” means for each task helps you stay aligned with your goals. Whether you’re developing software, writing reports, or managing a team, knowing the endpoint keeps you on track.
The hosts leave listeners with a practical challenge:
By incorporating these habits, you can sharpen your focus, improve productivity, and avoid wasting time on distractions.
Improving focus is a skill that requires intention, practice, and self-awareness. Whether you’re tackling a software project or managing daily responsibilities, Rob and Michael’s strategies provide a solid foundation to enhance your productivity. As they remind us, the key is not to work harder but to work smarter—one habit at a time.
We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, there’s always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.
