Ask Ida Q&A

Question - How can I improve my ability to focus? I often find my mind wandering even in conversations or meetings.

Answer - We are living and working with more distractions than ever, and our concentration skills are declining. As designers it is important to maintain focus to be creative, productive, and do deep-thinking. We want to be in a “flow state” where we are fully focused on a task.

I suggest a daily reading practice. Research suggests that daily reading for 30 minutes can improve our ability to focus. Numerous other benefits from daily reading include:

• Reduce stress

• Improve brain connectivity

• Increase vocabulary and comprehension

• Fight depression symptoms

• Aid with sleep readiness

This is a great time to start reading more with a light “summer read" and building up this habit!

Read/Listen - Research a company before a job interview

For new graduates or job seekers, preparing for an interview should include researching the company. The article & video link below includes the importance of researching, what to research, how to research, and how to bring that research to the job interview. 

Read/listen here from the blog titled, Give a Grad a Go created to support graduates and early career professionals.

Also, check out other resources on the blog. 

Mentoring Minute 

Travel for inspiration. Travel to open your mind and feed your soul. Travel to appreciate history.

Travel Quotes:
“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
–Henry Miller
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous

Bonus Quote:
“Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before.” –Dalai Lama