Focus is the ability to pay close attention to one object or thing and discard the surrounding happenings. Our minds are increasingly becoming more sensitive to the buzz and trends worldwide, and now we have to contend with constant notification alerts, to-do lists, and emails at all hours of the day. As these urgent and trivial demands tug you this way and that way, it becomes increasingly difficult to feed your focus into the things that truly matter.
As a result, the ability to concentrate on tasks that require you to feed your focus becomes increasingly challenging. The constant distractions reframe your attention span, making it difficult to immerse yourself fully in the work at hand. Then, you find yourself constantly juggling multiple demands, each vying for your immediate focus, ultimately leading to low productivity.
If you are not able to feed your focus and control your thoughts, you’ll not be able to control yourself. You can’t control what you can achieve without your thoughts or work in each moment. In this article, you’ll find ten tips to overcome distractions and improve focus, no matter where you work or what you do. You’ll learn how to feed your focus and impact what matters most to you in each moment.
Find The Right Environment To Feed Your Focus Into.
Your environment plays a vital role in increasing or decreasing how you feed your focus by distracting you from your goals or introducing disturbances to your work. Be it your sweet spot in your house, the coffee shop down by the corner of the street, or a peaceful outdoor space—find a workspace that keeps your mind clear and focused.
Although some surroundings are unavoidable, making it difficult to control external distractions and your ability to feed your focus, you are making small changes in your present to help you increase your concentration rather than relying on the perfect work environment.
Clear Your Desk.
Many distractions, such as your phone, social media alerts, or clutter on your desk, can distract you when trying to focus. Keep only the important materials you need within your reach, such as your computer, notebook, pen, and other tools for work that won’t distract you.
A cluttered workspace leads to a cluttered mind, making it harder to feed your focus and concentrate on your work. By keeping your space clean and organized, you can create a more productive and focused environment for yourself. A clean desk equals a clear mind.
Turn Off Notifications.
If you have to use your phone or computer to work, constant notifications can disrupt your workflow and break your concentration; it’s important to silence them when you’re working. Putting your phone and computer on do-not-disturb mode will hide the alerts.
You can consider setting specific times during your work sessions to check and respond to them from tugging you away from your work and slowing you down. This simple adjustment can significantly affect your ability to feed your focus and complete your tasks efficiently.
Make A List.
Having a list of your goals before you start your work helps you know what you want done and feeds your focus on what’s important. Instead of feeling lost or confused midway through your work, you have a clear idea of what you need to do.
The goals should be clear, not too hard, and have a time limit. Reaching a goal can feel wonderful and motivate you to stay focused. Setting clear goals allows you to stay organized and locked in throughout the day.
Break Down Your Tasks.
Big tasks can feel overwhelming, and you can lose focus before working on them. To make them easier, break them down into smaller steps.
Let’s say you need to write a report; you don’t have to jump into it like that. Break the whole report into small, achievable goals that you can measure like this:
- Choose a topic.
- Find information.
- Make an outline.
- Write the first part.
- Check for mistakes.
Doing a little bit at a time can feed your focus into each task and track your progress.
Feed Your Focus Into The Most Important Tasks First.
Not all tasks are equally important. While some tasks require immediate attention, others can wait. To make the best use of your time and feed your focus, start with the most important tasks. These will have the greatest impact on your work or goals, give you more time for less important things.
Starting with the hardest task lets you use that momentum to finish the others. First, prioritize high-priority tasks to maximize productivity and time.
Take Breaks.
Sometimes, when you’re working, it seems like you can’t do any more things or can’t handle the tasks right away. This is simply because your brain has reached its limit and needs a break from the tasks.
Stretch your body. Take a short walk. Listen to music. Or take a short nap. Feed your focus for a short time into something other than the work you’re doing. By the time you resume work, your mind will be refreshed.
Feed Your Focus Into One Task At A Time.
Sometimes, when you’re working, you start to feel like you’re in the zone and you can do many things at once; hence, you start to multitask.
Switching between tasks can disrupt your flow and limit your ability to fully concentrate on the task at hand. Multitasking can get confusing and overwhelm you quickly because you’re taking on different problems and tasks all at once.
Avoid multitasking. Complete one task before moving on to the next. Set specific time blocks for different tasks and feed your focus into each one.
Eat A Balanced Diet To Fuel Your Brain.
The brain needs enough glucose to compete with the daily requirements of nutrients and essentials, so supplying it with a healthy, balanced diet is important to spend the whole day efficiently and feed your focus on every task. Eating various nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to support your brain function and health.
Dehydration can also negatively impact your brain function and mood. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also important. By fueling your body with the right nutrients, you can enhance your mental clarity, focus, and well-being.
Get Enough Sleep.
You should get enough sleep to help you deal with your daily tasks with energy and focus. Lack of sleep can affect not only your cognitive abilities and decision-making skills but also your ability to feed your attention to tasks at hand, as well as your overall mood and well-being.
When you’re well rested, your mind is sharper, your attention span is longer, and your ability to concentrate is significantly improved. Getting enough sleep is as important as getting enough work done. For optimal productivity, prioritize good-quality sleep.
Conclusion
In today’s world, where almost everything is competing for your attention, maintaining focus amidst the constant distractions is a significant challenge. By implementing the tips gathered in this article to easily help you with the practices to feed your focus, you can regain control of your attention and enhance your productivity.
Creating a conducive environment, decluttering your workspace, and removing distractions are important first steps. Setting clear goals, breaking down tasks, prioritizing effectively, and incorporating regular breaks will further optimize your focus. Remember, nourishing your body and mind through a balanced diet, sufficient hydration, and quality sleep is equally crucial for sustained concentration.
If you’re unable to focus and facing high failures in certain aspects of your life, check out my book “Don’t Be A Crab,” where I show you how to pull yourself out of the rut of distractions and change those failures into a triumph.
