A question I’m getting asked a lot these days is, “What’s a quick way for me to improve my ability to focus?” I have several suggestions. One of the new ones I’m working on is connected to a principle from lean management. It’s called the 3S’s—Sweep, Sort, Standardize. See if it doesn’t have potential for you and your situation.

But first, a quick definition of lean management:

1. Sweep: Clearing the clutter

Sweep is about removing the noise, getting rid of the things that are in the way and keeping you from focusing. Imagine walking into a cluttered room. It’s overwhelming, right? The same goes for your workspace or schedule. Sweeping is about removing distractions that hijack your attention.

Physical space: Clear your desk, stash away unrelated items.

Digital space: Close unused tabs or archive old emails.

Mental load: Write down lingering tasks to tackle later.

Example: Before starting a big project, spend a few minutes clearing your desk. It’s like hitting a mental reset button; suddenly, the brain has room to breathe. For more great tips on cleaning up your mess, check out my Jones Zone video.

2. Sort: Setting up your focus zone

Once the clutter’s gone, sort what’s left into intuitive places. Sort is the idea of putting things into place where your brain doesn’t have to work so hard to use them. The goal? Reduce decision fatigue so your brain can focus on the task, not logistics.

Digital tools: Pin frequently used apps or create a “focus” browser profile.

Physical tools: Keep essentials within arm’s reach.

Tasks: Group similar activities into themed blocks.

Example: Create a “focus kit” with noise-canceling headphones and a notepad. Whenever you pull the kit out, your brain will recognize that it’s “deep work” time. Sorting helps your brain use less energy searching and switching between tasks.

3. Standardize: Building lasting habits

Standardizing turns one-off wins into lasting routines. Think of it as creating autopilot systems for focus. This is setting up systems and routines so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time we want to focus. (In other words, we won’t have to sweep and sort as often.)

End-of-day ritual: Spend a few minutes resetting your workspace.

Morning routine: Start with a consistent trigger to signal “work mode.”

Weekly review: Refine your systems to stay on track.

Example: Standardize your mornings by placing a planner next to your coffee maker. Now, planning the day feels effortless.

Why this works

The 3S’s might not be flashy, but they’re effective. By clearing distractions, organizing essentials, and building routines, you create an environment where focus thrives. It’s like tidying a garden: Once the weeds are gone and tools are organized, growth happens naturally.

Published April 7, 2025, in Jones Loflin’s blog.