What's Your Concentration Quotient

Control Your Environment: Identify the environment obstacles that prevent you from developing concentration and focus. Analyze the lighting, chair, clutter, noise level, poor airflow, temperature, etc.

Identify and Eliminate Interruptions: Close your door when you need to concentrate. Set aside time each day for dealing with routine matters, and encourage people to meet with you at that time. Let voicemail answer your phone for a part of the day. Don't encourage socializing. Remove visitors' chairs from your office; turn your desk so you don't face the door. Don't be an interruption to others.

Improve Your Listening Skills: Let people finish speaking before responding. Demonstrate that you are paying attention (nod, say, "I see."). Pay attention to body language. Establish rapport. Concentrate on facts and behaviors. Use silence to draw out a response from a reluctant speaker.