I recently conducted a survey asking experienced business owners and CEOs about their challenges at work and also in their personal lives. One question was, ‘At this stage of your career, are you happy with your overall quality of life?’

Fifty per cent said ‘No’!

Despite earning well above average incomes and having the flexibility to make their own decisions on most issues, there was a high level of unhappiness within the ranks of these business leaders. As I get invited to share my expertise in more countries, most recently in Bahrain and Dubai, it is intriguing to discover that this quality of life issue crosses international borders, despite cultural and geographical differences.

Why is this?

One reason is the ever-increasing speed of technology is now a global reality. Today, smartphones are as common as reading the daily newspaper used to be. We are bombarded with emails, texts, promotional junk and never ending requests from our clients, suppliers and superiors to complete our work faster.

The pressure is now on to perform, often at unrealistic levels. We are told the competition is getting stronger, so we need to suck it up, take work home, and sacrifice our weekends if necessary, all for the common cause.

What cause would that be, I humbly ask? To burn ourselves out, become workaholics who have little memory of a leisurely family picnic or a true holiday with no interference from the office?

The fact is, in many organisations around the world stress levels have become dangerously high, mental health days are now essential, and the idea of enjoying a healthy work/life balance no longer exists.

The paradox to this unhealthy evolution is that the more complex our lives become, the less effective we are at work and the more dissatisfied we are with our quality of life. Someone wisely observed that complexity is the killer of execution.

And let’s get this straight; multitasking is not the answer! More and more evidence clearly shows that juggling five or six tasks makes you less productive.

We are also living in an age of distraction. The slightest interruption … a phone call, a new email or someone disturbing your concentration means it takes anywhere from 7 to 15 minutes to get back on task again.

How many interruptions do you battle or allow every day?

This complexity extends beyond the office, too. Many parents seem to think it’s a competition to have their children enrolled in more activities than their friends or neighbours.

Can you imagine a family with three children, each one enrolled in three or four weekly activities, all at different times?

Dance classes, swimming lessons, team sports, extra tutoring to ensure the best grades at school, to name a few.

Of course, that isn’t you is it?

What’s all this got to do with focus? Everything …

In business, a lack of focus is absolutely the core issue concerning productivity and results. Our ongoing research shows that the current level of focus among business leaders is in the range of 15-35 per cent during a typical week.

per cent That means only 15-35 per cent of their time is being spent on their most important priorities, those activities aligned with their greatest strengths that drive the business forward. That’s shocking.

Peak performance requires 80 per cent focus on these crucial activities.

In our personal lives, due to longer working hours, (often due to a lack of focus) and the crush of time pressure, is it any wonder family time is being dramatically eroded.

So what’s the solution? Here’re a few proven strategies that will reduce the stress and boost your energy, as well as bringing more joy back into your life.

Be aware of your reality. Discover what’s not working and make a firm decision to do something about it.

Design your week instead of creating lengthy to-do lists every day that never get completed. Focus on completing your Top Three priorities every week. Make it a habit.

This will make a big difference.

Create blocks of ‘focus time ‘on your calendar for working on your top priorities.

During these times concentrate on one task only — no interruptions, no daydreaming, no excuses. Every week practice flexing your focus muscles.

Set clear boundaries to minimise interruptions. Say “NO” more often. Be polite but firm on this. Communicate clearly when you are not available.

Take regular rejuvenation breaks, without guilt. At least one day off each week with nothing whatsoever to do with work. And here’s the big one — six weeks off a year, just to enjoy that quality of life so many people seem to be missing.

— The writer is an executive coach to business leaders, international speaker, and a ‘New York Times’ best-selling author of ‘The Power of Focus’. He will be in Dubai in September for the Right Selection Speaker Bureau series.