How to Improve Your Focus and Concentration

We live in a world in which we are bombarded with distractions. Our phones are constantly buzzing with texts, Tweets, and emails. And there is the constant pull of our social media accounts and the 24-hour news cycle. With so many distractions, it is amazing that we can get anything done. It’s no small wonder that most of us are looking for ways to improve our focus and concentration.

The problem is that when we can’t focus, it takes twice as long to do things. Drafting a simple work email will take 30 minutes if you constantly are interrupted by text messages. Preparing a 20-minute recipe will take an hour if you keep checking your Facebook page.

Below are some easy ways to improve your focus and concentration. Try them and see how much more productive you can be!

Improve Your Focus by Doing One Thing at A Time

There is no such thing as multi-tasking. You simply can’t do two things at the same time. Realize that people who claim to be multi-tasking really are just jumping back and forth between tasks. And as a result, they end up doing multiple things poorly.

If you want to improve your focus and concentration, you need to do one thing at a time. That is the only way to truly give a task your undivided attention.

Admittedly, we tend to scoff at that kind of singular concentration. Most folks think that if you aren’t doing six things at once, you aren’t really busy. But nothing could be further from the truth. Only by giving your undivided attention to a task can you do your best and most efficient work.

If you aren’t used to do one thing at a time, you’ll need to train yourself. One approach is to set a timer for 20 minutes and commit to doing only one task for that time – without interruption.

Doing one thing at a time will take some getting used to. But you’ll find that you will do your best work when you simply focus on one task for an extended period of time. When you do so, you give yourself the chance to get in “the zone,” that elusive state when you are so engrossed in a task that everything around you virtually disappears.

Put Away Your Electronics

There is nothing wrong with using electronics as a distraction when doing a mundane task. For example, watching television while folding laundry is a great idea. Or listening to music while cleaning the house is another way to make an unpleasant task seem painless.

But if you have a task to do that requires real brainpower, you need to shut off your electronics. That means turning off your music, getting off the Internet and ignoring your phone. Those are all distractions which will prevent you from fully concentrating on the task at hand.

And those things aren’t just distractions. They are temptations. Realize that anytime we are presented with a challenging task, most of us will find ways to avoid it. For example, if you have a difficult paper to write for school, suddenly answering non-emergency text messages or responding to silly Facebook posts seems important!

The only way to truly focus and concentrate is to put away your electronics and commit your attention to the task at hand.

Improve Your Concentration by Getting Enough Sleep

Being well-rested is critical to your ability to concentrate. No one can think clearly when they are tired. At best, you can sort of muddle your way through the day.

So, if you want to improve your focus and concentration, one of the most important things you can do is to adopt good sleep habits. That means getting to bed as early as possible and getting up at a reasonable hour.

Good sleep habits also are about having a relaxed sleep. That means you need to stop looking at your television and electronics at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. And you need to stop drinking caffeinated drinks a couple of hours before you go to sleep. That way when you finally turn out the light, your mind will be calm and ready for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Remember that our brains function best when we are well-rested. So, establish good sleep habits to improve both your focus and concentration.

Take Regular Breaks

Laser-like focus cannot be sustained for long periods of time. You only can achieve that level of focus by taking periodic breaks.

For example, I work from home, and I do a lot of work at the computer. Most days, I have to look at a computer screen for hours. As a result, not only do my eyes get tired, but my brain gets tired too!

To maintain my focus, every so often, I will step away from the computer to do something simple. I might make a cup of tea or throw in a load of laundry. The key is that I do something that doesn’t require much thought and gives my brain a break.

Of course, how many breaks you need depends on how long you can concentrate at a single task. I will admit that I need more breaks than most people. After 30 minutes of mentally challenging work, I need to walk away and rest my mind. Some people may be able to concentrate for an hour without issue. The key is to figure out how many breaks you need to be able to fully focus.

To Improve Your Focus, Get Comfortable

Whether you are working or studying, to increase your ability to focus, you need to be physically comfortable. You can’t concentrate if you are thirsty, hungry or uncomfortable. If you are, your physical discomfort will be a persistent distraction.

As a result, to really focus, make sure you are well fed and have a beverage on hand, whether it be a glass of water or a cup of hot tea or coffee. And be sure to have a comfortable place to sit. That may mean investing in an expensive office chair so that you can sit and focus for longer periods of time.

The key is to make sure that your physical needs are met so that nothing distracts you from mentally giving your task your full attention.

Consider using the above approaches to improve your focus and concentration. The better you become at focusing on the task at hand, the more efficient you will become. And then your only problem will be to figure out what to do with all the extra time you now have at your disposal! (To read about how to end the procrastination habit, click here.)