How do you pull yourself back into focus when you lose motivation during your deep work session?

Try one or several of these. 1. Take 5 breaths using the box breathing method. 2. Sniff an essential oil. Sage works well for me. 3. Start doing a very simple thing like write down your next step. Set a timer and tell yourself you only have to do it for 1 minute. 4. Drink 5 sips of water. 5. Sit up straight. Do spinal twists for 10 seconds on each side. If those don’t work - do a body scan and notice what you’re feeling emotionally and in your body. Ask yourself what you need. You might be dehydrated, headachey, hungry, sick, depressed etc. Consider taking a break early to meet your needs. Whatever they are.

I just sit on my working table. I open my email or calendar. Just read, then little by little you will be able to return to focus. There are times when I don’t want to sit, open my emails or my docs, but I keep thinking, "if I won’t do this right now, I will miss a day of productivity- the more I will feel demotivated." Remember, just one small act, can change your mood. Or perhaps it can also make you move if you think-"the hardest part is taking the first step. " When you reach your chair, or open your documents, your emails-maybe these are the hardest parts for you. But after, as you read emails or your calendar, you will be reminded of the tasks that can fulfill your goals; the deadlines that can be met earlier and make work easier. Nobody says it’s eas, that’s why I am rooting for you, cheering you on. You can do it though it’s hard.

Sometimes situations drive us off our commitment to focus, I try to understand why. It might be that I need a break. So I use the pomodoro technic if I’m at home studying. If I’m at work and distractions come from my coworkers, sometimes you just need to let them be.