Staying on task can be difficult, but it can be particularly challenging when you are surrounded by constant distraction. In today’s always-connected world, diversions are nothing more than a click away.
Even during quiet moments, distraction is literally at your fingertips as you find yourself checking your Instagram notifications or the latest news updates.
The ability to concentrate on something in your environment and direct mental effort toward it is critical for learning new things, achieving goals, and performing well across a wide variety of situations.
1. Direct focus instead of scattered.
A. Scattered.
-broadly distributed attention/multitasking
-Tring to focus on one thing while thinking about another.
B. Directed
-Focusing on one thing & ignoring everything else.
How to avoid scattered focus?
Remove all distractions and avoid any stimuli that could potentially harm your concentration.
PHONE = Biggest anti-focus machine.
2. Have clarity.
You need to have a clear understanding of what you want.
People with clear, written goals accomplish far more in a shorter period than people without them could ever imagine.
Actionable steps:
- Define your goals
- Write it down
- Chunk it into byte size steps
- Prioritze
- Set deadline
- Start
- Stay consistent.
3. Prioritization.
Knowing what to do and when to do is crucial. Use the image below method to prioritize your activities.
4. Use the POMODORO method.
Step 1: Pick a task. Remember you can only focus on one thing.
Step 2: Set your timer for 25 minutes.
Step 3: Work for the next 25 minutes shutting off all the distractions.
Step 4: When you hear the timer go off, stop working and put a checkmark. Take a short break make sure you dont exceed 5 minutes.
Step 5 After you have 4 checkmarks, take a more extended break of about 15 to 30 minutes.
Repeat the same process.
5. Concentration is a skill.
Have a certain time in your day when you concentrate intensely on just one task.
-Train your brain
-Do it everyday
-Make it a habit.
Best time = morning, 30 mins after waking up.
6. Find your peak hours.
To determine your most productive hour – your “peak hours,” you need actively track your productivity throughout the day.
Pay attention to your:
Energy
Thought patterns
Distractions
Motivation
Moods
Make sure you allow at least a week to establish these peak hours.
7. Build power and Discipline.
Willpower and self-discipline are two related traits that should be developed at the same time.
Your willpower is the fuel of your actions.
Your discipline is your ability to go past:
Intrusive thoughts
Comfort zone
Laziness
These skills require consisten practice, building them is not easy, and giving up is not an option.