Keeping focus is difficult but possible. By practicing tips to improve concentration and focus, you can work with minimal distractions, improving your performance and progress. So, let's begin.
Turn off autopilot and perform tasks deliberately
In life, you do various things that require a lot of attention and yield positive results, as well as those that are just distractions. A lot of your daily tasks are done on autopilot. Autopilot is convenient when you want to conserve energy for more complex tasks. Yet managing your focus is a crucial skill for being productive without overexerting yourself. Start by categorizing the types of tasks you most frequently perform into main groups and analyzing them. Then, allocate specific hours at work for each group to do.
Filter tasks and set priorities
The human brain receives over 10 million units of information per second but can only analyze about 40 of them. Some things people multitask, such as cooking dinner, talking on the phone, and helping a child with their homework. But try to limit the number of things you do simultaneously to stay focused.
Imagine your brain is like a computer's RAM. You can remember from four to seven units of information for a while. So when you're doing any task, you allocate a certain space to it. Therefore, don't overload your "RAM" and prioritize. Otherwise, you'll be overwhelmed, even without doing energy-intensive tasks.
Rest physically and mentally
Pay attention to the moments when you're exhausted. This indicates that you're focused on your actions and suddenly become distracted and reactive. Moreover, excessive multitasking means you're too tired to do one thing at a time. Excessive focus depletes part of your mental energy, making you less attentive.
If you understand that you need to reboot, take a break. For example, take a fifteen-minute break after every hour of intense focus. This is also called hyperfocus — when you’re deeply immersed in a specific task, employing all your energy. Find out more about it in our summary of Hyperfocus.
Organize your work
If you want to focus more on problem-solving, try some ideas to improve your abilities. Start by studying new ideas from others – the internet makes this easy as it helps you look at the problem from a different perspective. Try writing down your thoughts in a note-taking app on your smartphone to organize them conveniently. Find a new environment where you'll be comfortable working.
There are more extreme methods for developing creative thinking. You can intentionally not finish your tasks to have more time for ideas. You can also delay your exercises so that you need more time. This will create a stressful situation, and it's in such conditions that we often broaden our horizons.
Be productive, not busy
Create a success list. Composed of sequential tasks, it will help you gradually achieve the desired result. However, all these steps will be in vain if you don't learn to prioritize deliberately. The point is that achievements often arise from a small number of actions. Focus on being productive, not busy. It doesn't matter how much time you spend on an activity, as the result is what's important. Don't be afraid to say "no" to secondary tasks.
Start tasks gradually
The idea of the "domino effect" is that a change leads to a linear series of other changes, similar to how lined-up dominoes fall. In other words, one action of yours has many consequences that follow one another. It takes a small amount of potential energy to knock down one domino, and the longer the row of dominoes, the greater the potential energy.
To succeed, you must correctly identify and focus on task number one. Proper prioritization plays an essential role. It helps focus and directs effort in the right direction, leading to success. Read more about the "domino effect" and other tips in our The One Thing summary.
Find balance in your life
The concept of a "balanced life" emerged during industrialization and marked a social transformation that prompted people to reconsider their rights. They no longer wanted to sacrifice their personal life for work, thus giving birth to the idea of a "work-life balance."
Finding "balance" is no easy task, so let's replace this word with "counterbalance." If you want to achieve great success in your field, prioritize your career. All other aspects you engage in during your free time will act as a counterbalance. Sometimes, perfection lies in imperfection.
Find your work rhythm
If you have a flexible schedule or work multiple jobs, you can try working like a journalist. This method encourages working on tasks that require attention when you have the opportunity. For example, you can tackle tasks while your family members are busy with their activities. A video editor might work on editing while his children sleep, as there are more important matters to attend to during other times of the day.
If you have a relatively stable schedule, try working rhythmically. This way, you can plan hours for work. For instance, you can set your phone to "Do Not Disturb" mode for two hours from 12:00 to 14:00, notifying your colleagues in advance. Learn more tips and examples of organizing your schedule in the Deep Work summary.
Create and maintain boundaries
There are two main reasons why it's challenging to concentrate. The first is that you change activities too quickly. The second is your willpower, which you can develop only through constant hard work. You can combat these factors by creating certain habits or patterns that can facilitate your hard work. You can turn off Wi-Fi or switch to airplane mode. For example, Neil Stephenson, a science fiction sensation, deleted his public email. Find what works best for you!
Pay attention to scatter attention
While hyperfocus is crucial for productivity, don't underestimate the time you spend on distractions. Leisure time is your second way to be attentive. Scatter focus is the time when you're not doing anything typically considered productive. It's time spent doing what you enjoy or simply relaxing, and this scattered attention has some advantages.
Scatter attention enhances creativity, and allows for a "complete reboot." You become energetic and ready to do something new and discover new horizons. It helps to plan your productive time better. As a result, you subconsciously analyze your thoughts deeply.
By following the above advice, you'll be able to focus on what you need and reap the benefits for your physical and mental health. You'll develop your skills and strengthen your willpower. Next time you wonder how you can stay focused, separate yourself from your environment and take action.
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