Staying focused when working on screen
Imagine that you open an email from your manager or someone in your team. It could be about a customer enquiry, a policy update, a meeting action or a service request. The email may include tasks to complete, links to open, information to read and deadlines to remember.
You may also be writing a report, updating a form, checking guidance or getting ready for a meeting. You open one link, then another, then another. Soon, it can be hard to remember what you were doing first.
If this happens to you, you are not alone. Many work tasks involve moving between emails, documents, systems, guidance and online forms. When there is a lot on the screen, it can be hard to focus and keep track of the most important information.
What is getting in the way?
You might find yourself:
- losing your place when reading long documents or web pages
- forgetting what task you were trying to complete
- feeling distracted by menus, links, notifications, or adverts
- struggling to keep track of multiple instructions
- feeling overwhelmed when there is too much information on screen at once
- finding it hard to concentrate for long periods of time
The good news is that there are tools and settings that can help.
Tools that can help
Different tools work for different people. You may want to try:
- Microsoft Immersive Reader – reduces distractions and can make text easier to read
- Microsoft Read Aloud – reads text to you so you can listen instead of reading on screen
- text spacing and page zoom – makes content easier to follow
- Microsoft Dictate – lets you capture thoughts and notes by speaking
- sticky notes or simple note-taking tools – helps you keep track of important information and next steps.
You do not need to try everything. Start with one small change and see what helps.
