Welcome to our short guide of how to concentrate properly.
Staying focused is difficult at any time, but it is especially difficult when constantly distracted. Diversions are a click away in today’s always-connected world.
Even in quiet moments, you can be distracted by checking your Instagram notifications or the latest news.
The ability to focus on something in your environment and direct mental energy toward it is critical for learning, goal achievement, and general performance.
Focus is important whether you’re trying to finish a report at work or running a marathon.
Luckily, the focus is a mental muscle. It gets stronger as you work on it.
It’s possible to improve your mental focus, but it’s not always simple. If it was easy, we’d all have the focus of a top athlete.
It will take some effort on your part and possibly some changes in your daily habits. Here are some psychological tricks to help you focus and concentrate like a laser.
Tip 1 on how to concentrate properly:
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Remove Distractions
While it may seem obvious, many people underestimate the number of distractions that prevent them from focusing. A loud radio or an obnoxious coworker who constantly stops by your cubicle to chat are examples of such intrusions.
Minimizing distractions isn’t always as simple. While turning off the TV or radio may be simple, dealing with an interrupting coworker, spouse, child, or roommate may be more difficult.
One solution is to set a time and place and ask to be left alone for that period of time. Another option is to find a quiet place where you can work uninterrupted. Try a library, a private room in your home, or even a quiet coffee shop.
Not all distractions are external. These and other internal disturbances can be difficult to avoid.
To reduce or eliminate internal distractions, make sure you get enough sleep before the task and use positive thoughts and imagery to combat anxiety and worry. If you find yourself distracted, consciously bring your attention back to the task at hand.
Tip 2 how to concentrate properly:
Focus Limitation
A great way to get a lot done quickly, multitasking turns out to be a bad idea. Multitasking reduces productivity and makes it difficult to focus on the important details.
Attentional resources are limited, so use them wisely.
Imagine your focus as a spotlight. You can see a lot more if you focus the spotlight on one area. Trying to spread that same amount of light across a large dark room may only reveal shadowy outlines.
Making the most of your resources is part of improving your mental focus. Stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time.
Be in the Now
Mind-wandering, worrying about the future, or being distracted from the present moment makes it difficult to stay mentally focused.
You’ve probably heard about the value of “being present.” It’s about putting away distractions, whether physical (your phone) or mental (your anxieties), and being fully present.
Being present is also important for regaining mental focus. Staying present keeps your mind focused on the details that matter at a given time.
It will take practise to truly live in the moment. Your actions today can help you avoid repeating past mistakes and pave a path to a more successful future.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a hot topic right now. Although mindfulness meditation has been practised for thousands of years, its many health benefits are only now becoming known.
In one study, researchers had human resource professionals simulate complex multitasking they do on the job.
These tasks included answering phones, scheduling meetings, and writing memos in 20 minutes with information coming in via phone calls, emails, and text messages.
Only those who had received 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation training improved in concentration and focus.
The meditation group stayed on task longer, switched tasks less frequently, and worked more efficiently than the other groups.
Mindfulness can be as simple as learning to meditate or as complex as a simple deep breathing exercise.
Begin by taking several deep breaths, focusing on each one. When you notice your mind wandering, gently and uncritically bring it back to your deep breathing.
While this may appear to be a simple task, it may be much more difficult than it appears. Fortunately, you can do this breathing exercise anywhere, anytime. You’ll probably find it easier to disengage from intrusive thoughts and return your focus to the right place over time.
Take a Rest
Have you ever tried focusing on one thing for a long time? After a while, your focus starts to wane, and it becomes more difficult to concentrate. Not only that, but your performance suffers.
Traditional psychological explanations suggest this is due to attentional resource depletion, but some researchers believe it is due to the brain’s tendency to ignore constant stimulation.
Researchers discovered that even brief distractions can significantly improve mental focus.
So the next time you’re working on a long task like taxes or studying for an exam, take a mental break.
Distract yourself from the current task for a few moments. These brief breaks may help you maintain mental focus and performance when you need it most.
Our guide on how to concentrate properly ends here.
Also read, How To Increase Stamina By Food?
