B usy lives, hectic schedules, and the need to get things done quickly—doesn’t it seem like this fast-paced world is making it harder for you to focus? No thanks to the barrage of technology and information that surrounds you, you’re more likely to be easily distracted and even develop a goldfish-like memory over time.
Fortunately, you can reclaim your focus and even hone and increase it. Here’s how:
Adopt a Can-Do State of Mind
How many times have you said to yourself, “I can’t focus”? The fact is you can! Telling yourself that you can’t do it won’t help you at all, so start programming your mind to think that you can develop the ability to focus. Do this over and over again.
Start programming your mind to think that you can develop the ability to focus. Click To TweetTackle Just One Thing at a Time
One of the quickest ways to lose focus is by biting off more than you can chew. If you pick one task and give it your full attention, you’ll be able to complete it sooner and better.
Use a Planner or Calendar
To heighten your concentration, make it a habit to use a planner or a calendar. Use them to manage your time, schedule dates, and allot hours for all the things that require your attention.
Be Healthy
Lack of sleep, inadequate exercise, and unhealthy eating habits—all take a toll on your body and your mind. To foster better focus, treat your body right, and give it the fuel it needs to work at an optimal level.
Lack of sleep, inadequate exercise, and unhealthy eating habits—all take a toll on your mind. Click To TweetDevelop a Longer Attention Span
If you know that you have a short attention span, why not do something about it? Training your brain to focus longer is a lot like training your body for a triathlon. Resist the temptation to switch focus every few minutes until your attention span lengthens. With constant work and perseverance, you will build the endurance you need.
Read for Focus
These days, it’s easy to forget that there are activities, such as reading, that can actually help your mind to focus. If you take it a step further and learn speed reading with proven programs like the ones offered at Soundway Efficient Speed Reading™, you can get even more out of your reading experience by learning to increase your reading speed and focusing on the material in front of you.
Create an Environment That Nurtures Focus
Few people can focus when there’s noise and chaos going on in the background. Whether it’s loud music, endless rings and beeps, or rowdy kids, to have more focus you need to be in an environment that nurtures it, rather than destroys it.
Have a Focus Mantra
This may sound silly, but give it a go. Repeat to yourself mantras like, “I won’t check my Facebook until my homework is done,” or “I won’t switch on the television until I finish cleaning the house.” Mantras reaffirm what you need to focus on.
Finally, in order to heighten your focus, you need to learn to set aside any problems and issues that may be clouding your mind. Not only can your concerns wait a while longer, but there’s a good chance that the pause will help you gain a perspective that will provide a solution.