How can you focus better while working in Content Management?

Content management is a skill that involves creating, organizing, and delivering digital content across various platforms and channels. It can be a rewarding and creative career, but it also comes with some challenges, such as managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders, as well as staying updated on the latest trends and technologies. How can you focus better while working in content management and avoid distractions, stress, and burnout? Here are some tips to help you improve your concentration, productivity, and well-being.

1 Set clear goals and priorities

One of the first steps to focus better is to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. Setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals can help you define your scope, expectations, and outcomes. Prioritizing your tasks can also help you focus on the most important and urgent ones, and avoid wasting time on low-value or irrelevant activities. You can use tools like calendars, to-do lists, or project management software to plan your work and track your progress.

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Nouran El-Behairy

Full-Stack Content Manager | Senior Content Manager @airfocus | Partnering with PMs for Product-Led Content
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I believe the keyword is "Alignment". To achieve focus, you need to align 3 things your goals, your tools, and your energy. 1. Goals: Use a framework. I personally use OKRs. Make sure your content objectives align with your company's objectives and the key results you set are measurable and achievable (by achievable I mean, consider your resources). 2. Tools: Anything a tool can do, you shouldn't do manually. This can free up valuable time (that we know we need) and make you more productive, e.g. Use AI to brainstorm, create briefs, or write a boring email. 3. Energy: Understand and accept that not every day will be peak productive. Self-awareness in your work habits means you can schedule needy tasks on days you know you're in peak shape

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Bob R Milne
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Start with an outline. What are the key takeaways for reader? What's the problem you’re trying to solve, or what's your position on a topic? How does it impact the reader and why should they care?

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2 Eliminate or reduce distractions

Another key factor that affects your focus is the amount of distractions that you face in your work environment. Distractions can come from external sources, such as emails, messages, notifications, calls, or noise, or internal sources, such as boredom, fatigue, or anxiety. To reduce distractions and improve focus, you can try turning off notifications and alerts when you need to concentrate on a task. Additionally, set boundaries and expectations with colleagues or managers about when you are available and when you are not. Listening to music with headphones or earplugs may also help block out noise. Furthermore, taking regular breaks and stretching your body and mind can help avoid mental and physical fatigue. Finally, addressing any emotional or personal issues that might be affecting your concentration or motivation is essential.

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Bob R Milne
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Two things work for me. One is to book a meeting in my calendar so I show as busy, allowing me to focus. I'm still available for urgent questions, but most people will respect the fact that you're not available. Two is to start a draft in a text editor like notepad, where there are no spelling, grammar, style, or readability suggestions to distract you. Get your ideas down, organize them, find your flow - polish work can wait until the end.

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3 Optimize your workflow and tools

Content management often involves working with different types of content, formats, platforms, and tools. To optimize your workflow and tools, you can try using templates, checklists, or guidelines to standardize processes and ensure quality and consistency. Automation or delegation of repetitive or tedious tasks is also recommended, as is utilizing a content management system (CMS) that meets your needs. Additionally, it is important to keep files and folders organized and backed up with naming conventions and tags for easy access. Finally, staying up-to-date on skills and knowledge can help improve efficiency and creativity.

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Geetanjali Mukherjee

Assistant Director Content Services EY GDS | Storyteller | Career Counselor | Amplifying Leaders' Voices on Social Media | Voiceover Artist | Indian Classical Dancer
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In my experience, optimizing workflow tools involves assessing the current tools, integrating them seamlessly, customizing settings to fit team needs, automating repetitive tasks, providing user training, staying updated with tool features, fostering collaboration, ensuring scalability, establishing a feedback loop, and prioritizing security measures. These steps collectively enhance productivity and streamline workflows for effective team collaboration.

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4 Manage your time and energy

Content management can be a demanding and fast-paced skill that requires you to manage your time and energy wisely. To do this, you should estimate how long each task will take and allocate enough time for it in your schedule. Additionally, break down large or complex tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks to tackle one at a time. You can also use the Pomodoro technique or other time management methods to work in short bursts of focused attention, followed by short breaks. It's important to avoid multitasking and switching between tasks frequently, as this can reduce your focus and performance. Finally, align your tasks with your energy levels and circadian rhythms, and do the most challenging or creative ones when you are most alert and energized.

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Bob R Milne
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Breaking the task down into chunks is the single best thing you can do, in my experience. Have tasks (and deadlines!) for the outline, first draft, contributor review, peer review, second draft, and final draft. One big deadline can either be daunting or something so far away it doesn't seem urgent - until suddenly it is.

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5 Reward yourself and celebrate your achievements

Finally, one of the best ways to focus better is to reward yourself and celebrate your achievements. Doing so can help you boost motivation and confidence, reinforce positive habits and behaviors, acknowledge your efforts and progress, and even have fun. To reward yourself, you can give yourself a treat after completing a task or milestone. You can also share your work with colleagues, clients, or managers, to receive recognition and praise. Additionally, you can review your goals and priorities, reflect on what you have learned and improved, set new goals and challenges, and look forward to new opportunities and experiences.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you focus better while working in Content Management?

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1 Set clear goals and priorities

2 Eliminate or reduce distractions

3 Optimize your workflow and tools

4 Manage your time and energy

5 Reward yourself and celebrate your achievements

6 Here’s what else to consider

Content Management

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How can you focus better while working in Content Management?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set clear goals and priorities

2 Eliminate or reduce distractions

3 Optimize your workflow and tools

4 Manage your time and energy

5 Reward yourself and celebrate your achievements

6 Here’s what else to consider

Content Management

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