There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to focus on concentration, clarity and cutting out noise. It then involves doing your best to achieve the desired concrete results.
This sometimes involves taking control of your environment and cocooning. This calls for cutting out both physical and psychological noise. It then involves focusing on delivering the desired results.
Imagine that you want to follow elements of this approach when doing a piece of work. This involves exploring the following themes.
Concentration
Different people choose different ways to concentrate and do what Cal Newport called deep work. This calls for being able to immerse themselves into doing a piece of work without distraction.
Some people start by focusing on what they can control in a situation. They then set aside a block of time where they can slow down, recentre and focus on what they are going to do.
Such people do their best to prepare properly and set things up to succeed. They then take the following steps.
They rehearse what they are going to do and then follow their ritual for move into action;
They are positively engaged and fully present when doing the piece of work;
They immerse themselves fully in the work and sometimes go into a state of flow.
Different people then concentrate in different ways. Some prefer to work in silence in order to focus on the work. Some actually like to have background music that is stimulating or soothing.
Different people also have different periods of time when they are able to concentrate fully. Much depends on the kinds of work they are doing and what is required to fulfil the task.
Some writers, for example, can work for an hour. They then need to take a break, go for a walk or do something else to refresh themselves. They are then able to return to the work with renewed energy.
Some people are in professions where they may need to concentrate for a long period of time. They may then need to build in small periods for reflection, however, in order to stay on top of their game.
You will have your own way of being able to concentrate. Whatever route you choose, it often involves focusing on the next step.
Clarity
Great workers focus on clarity. They aim to be crystal clear on: a) what they want to achieve; b) how they can do their best to achieve these results; c) when they want to make this happen.
Such workers spend a lot of time exploring these themes before they embark on the work. They also keep focusing on them when doing the actual work.
Different people follow this approach in different ways. Some keep focusing on the What, How and When. This involves exploring the following themes.
Great workers also keep reading reality and focus on continuous improvement. They immerse themselves in the work but also sometimes take time out to focus on:
The specific things that are working are how they can build on these;
The specific things that could be better and how;
The specific things they can do to implement these ideas.
Such workers then follow their ritual for moving back into action and, when possible, going into a state of flow. They do their best to get the desired concrete results.
Sometimes this also means taking the next step in order to be able to concentrate fully.
Cutting Out Noise
Great workers concentrate on the task in hand. They aim to take control of their environment, cocoon themselves and cut out distracting noise. They then do their best to deliver the desired concrete results.
Some people focus on being in charge of any physical noise. They may aim to find a quiet place, put on their headphones or do other things to create such a space.
Some people focus on being in charge of any psychological noise. They may have a positive mantra that they say to themselves before clicking into action or when tackling challenges.
Sometime this involves creating a positive script they say to themselves. Such as: ‘Be positive, be present, do your personal best’. They need to create their own script, however, that means something to them.
There are many forms of cocooning. Whilst Faith Popcorn popularised the term in the 1980s, it is an approach that has been followed by many people throughout history. Different people do cocooning in different ways.
Some do it by going into a sanctuary to gain comfort. Some do it by creating a safe place that is also stimulating. Some aim to do creative work by cutting off outside noise. Some do it by concentrating fully when tackling a challenge. Let’s explore these themes.
Cocooning For Creating
Some people follow the cocooning approach when doing creative work. Many writers, painters, sculptors, designers, thinkers and others have taken this route throughout history.
Such individuals aim to create a safe place that can also be stimulating They aim to focus fully when pursuing their work. They therefore protect themselves from various influences that may be distracting.
Some sensitive people may aim do work that helps to build a better world. They may therefore cocoon themselves by creating a positive environment and stop exposing themselves to negative things happening in the world.
Cocooning For Tackling Challenges
Some individuals follow the cocooning approach when tackling challenges. They often start by gathering lots of information before settling on their strategy. They then focus fully on following their chosen process for working to achieve their goal.
Many athletes, golfers and other sports people describe how they follow this approach. They talk about being in their bubble but also being present in the moment.
As mentioned earlier, they may have a positive mantra they say to themselves to keep focusing on the task in hand. They stay in the present rather than get ahead of themselves. Such individuals then do their best to achieve their picture of success.
There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to focus on concentration, clarity and cutting out noise. It then involves working to achieve the desired concrete results.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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