Today’s world is more full of distractions than ever. In the frenzied rhythm of life, we rarely get a chance to stop and carefully weigh a decision, make a truly conscious choice. How hard is the gre achieve it?
However, the problem is not always in our environment, although its role is really important. The problem with concentration can also be related to other factors. In this article, we will explain in detail what affects our ability to concentrate and how to make sure we keep our attention on the same thing without being distracted by anything. The methods presented here will be perfect for any kind of tasks and will be useful in work and study, as well as in any kind of creativity, hobby.
To begin with, we will tell you about the main factors that may prevent us from focusing on one particular task.
State of health
It is no secret that the quality and duration of night sleep directly affects our attention. However, not many people know that excess sleep is just as harmful as its lack. In both cases, we feel broken and sluggish, and no concentration is out of the question. Each person needs his or her own number of hours to sleep fully. In general, it should be at least seven hours. Try to observe your condition, and after determining what length of sleep is ideal for you personally, stick to it on a regular basis.
Nutrition also plays a role. You’ve probably noticed how hard it is to concentrate when we overeat or, conversely, are hungry. Both have a negative impact on the health of the body, which in turn affects the brain. It is not only attention that begins to suffer, but also memory. Try to diversify your diet as much as possible by consuming enough protein, fiber, carbohydrates every day. Do not avoid sweets, but reduce their consumption if possible.
And finally, stress. It wears out all body systems and disrupts their work, which also affects sleep and appetite, creating a vicious circle. Chronic stress can lead to much more serious problems, including mental illness. How do I focus in this case? It is very important not to postpone solving your problems and to work through them as they come in. Remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It just means that you’re a living person.
Sync, corrected by elderman — for —
As amazing as the human brain may seem to us, even it has its limitations. Multitasking is almost as malicious as sleeping and eating badly without a system. In this respect, our brain is very much like a computer: it starts to “hang” if a lot of “programs” or tasks have been run. In other words, the more we plan to do in one time interval, the harder it is for us to focus on one single or even the main task. Consequently, its quality will suffer, which will only add to our own uncertainty. How can we focus if we have to do a lot? We’ll talk about it a little later.
Routine, monotonous and boring.
No matter how much you love what you do day after day, sooner or later you will get a feeling of boredom. And it’s not that once a favorite thing ceased to be so, to arouse interest and inspiration. However, when you do the same thing for a certain period of time our brain naturally goes into the mode of energy conservation. Consequently, it becomes more difficult to focus your attention. This usually happens when we “get stuck” at the same level of complexity in the workflow. Or it’s progressing, but not fast enough. We’ll tell you how to focus in this scenario.
We have found out what prevents us from concentrating on one task. It turns out that it is not always about the reality around us, and it is often worth thinking about your own way of life. However, we should not forget that everything in nature is interconnected. What happens in our bodies and thoughts can be a direct reflection of the environment in which we live or spend most of our lives. And vice versa.
Finally, we have come to the central question of how to focus on one thing without spraying on other things and worries. So, where do we start? How do we direct and keep our attention on what is really important and necessary?
Formulate a goal and a plan. How hard is the gre stick it?
If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re not going anywhere. The same situation is with any case: if you do it without any specific goal, it is unlikely that anything will come of it. When we work for the sake of work, learn for the sake of the very fact of learning, we are engaged in creativity for the sake of creativity itself – this is knowingly a losing option. After all, in addition to the fact that we do not make tangible progress, in addition to everything we waste their strength, energy and, of course, time. And they, in turn, are invaluable resources, which, when used correctly, help to achieve great success.
To focus your attention on one and the most important thing for you, set yourself a clear, and most importantly, achievable goal. This can be a near-term goal (about five days) or a long-term goal (up to a month or more). Choose an option that is within your personal abilities. It is very useful in such situations to know your personal characteristics. What motivates you more: to get results as soon as possible, or to do everything gradually, without rushing anywhere?
In addition to setting a goal, make your own individual plan for the task. It is best to do it in writing. The goal, broken down into stages of its implementation, seems more achievable and real. In this way you will clearly understand what exactly and in what order you need to do to get the desired result. On top of that, the plan will not let you forget anything important, and you will not have to keep everything solely in your head, which will give you extra energy. Focus on the main thing, having a clear goal and a plan to achieve it, and your attention will be much more stable.
Prepare the work area
The environment in which we work, learn or create sets the pace of the entire workflow and directly affects its quality. It is important to adjust the environment so that it is comfortable for you to work in it. After all, we are all very different: someone needs everything to be in place to concentrate, and someone is inspired by the creative mess.
Often, however, the large number of objects in the work area only makes it difficult to concentrate. “I can’t concentrate on work,” says the person who covers himself on all sides with stationery, paper and other things, which he says he can’t do without. Even so, try to keep the work area as free as possible, leaving only the essentials behind. You can always get everything else out of drawers or shelves. The fact is that a lot of things in the workplace is perceived by our brain as multitasking, which we talked about. Attention is simply beginning to be missed, because it is distributed to every nearby object.
Complementing the answer to the question of how to focus on one thing, it is important to say the benefits of silence. Even if it is easy for you to concentrate on working in noisy environments, your brain still has to process the information you hear one way or another. This, in turn, takes up additional energy. Make sure that you are not disturbed by extraneous sounds in your work area, and if this is not possible, take breaks when you go to a quieter place. And don’t forget to ventilate the work area.
Make up your own rules and restrictions
When considering how to focus on your studies, your work or your creative process, it’s crucial to know what might be distracting you. Social media, messengers, colleague offers to take a tea break or just chat with them for a minute or two – all this is great, but only during a really necessary break, which you will talk about later. Appreciate your work and respect your abilities. Pass the attentive cogat test. For example, schedule a clear time to check out social media and stick to it. If possible, buy a second phone that is solely for business calls and correspondence.