How to Focus

Improving your focus can make you a better student or employee as well as a happier and
more organized person. If you want to improve your focus, then you need to learn to avoid
distractions and to be prepared with a focus-filled game plan before you set out to
accomplish a task. If you want to know how to focus like a laser, just follow these steps!

Change Your Life

Ad

Helping you achieving your goals &

purpose through Coaching

Part One of Four:

Improving Your Focus

1 Build up your focus stamina. Each person may start off with a certain amount of
"focus stamina" but rest assured that this is something that can be improved over
time. To build your focus stamina, just give yourself a certain amount of time -- say, 30
minutes -- to do nothing but work on a certain task. When that time passes, see how long
you can keep going before actually stopping, whether it's just another five minutes or
another half hour.[1]

If you repeat this process, you'll see that you're able to focus on just one task much
more than you thought. Keep going until you feel you need to stop, and try to focus
for longer the next day.
2 Meditate. Mediating is not only a great way to relax, but if you meditate for just 10 to
20 minutes every day, you will slowly improve your focus. When you meditate, you'll
be focusing on clearing your head and concentrating on your body and breath. You can
easily transfer these skills to clearing your head and focusing on the work ahead of you.
You can meditate when you first wake up or to wind down before bed, or even during both
times.

Find a relatively quiet environment so you're not distracted by noise.

Just find a comfortable seat and place your hands on your knees or lap.
Work on relaxing your body, one part at a time, until all of the parts of your body are
relaxed.

3 Read more. Reading is a great way to build up your focus. Try reading something
without stopping for just thirty minutes, and slowly build your stamina to reading for
an hour or even two hours with only short breaks. Being able to focus on the material in
front of you, whether you're reading a romance novel or a biography, will help you learn to
focus on your work.

As you read, ask yourself questions every few pages to make sure that you
understand what you're reading and that you're placing all of your concentration and
energy into the material.
Reading in the morning is a great way to wake up your mind, and reading in bed is a
great way to wind down before bedtime.
Make a goal of reading for thirty more minutes a day, and watching television for
thirty less minutes. The concentration you build up from reading can be harmed by
the concentration that you may lose from watching a television show with a lot of
commercials.
Try to block out all distractions while reading. Keep your phone on silent and if you
want to, tell your family members not to disturb you while you're reading. This will not
only build up your concentration and focus but will also help you absorb the words
written on the page before you.

4 Multi-task less. Though many people think that multi-tasking is a great way to
accomplish goals more quickly and to get two or three things done at once, multi-
tasking is actually harmful to your concentration. When you multi-task, you may think
you're getting more done, but you're not putting all of your focus and energy into any one
task, which actually harms your concentration.

Work on getting just one thing done at a time and you'll see that you get this done
more quickly.
 Chatting with your friends online while getting work done is one of the worst forms of
multi-tasking. Chatting with a friend can slow your productivity down by half.
If you're working at home, avoid the temptation to do chores while you're working or
studying. You may get the dishes washed, but you'll slow yourself down
tremendously.

Part Two of Four:

Being Prepared

1 Reflect. Have you ever spent a whole day "working" and then wondered how you
managed to accomplish almost nothing? If this has happened to you, then you
should reflect on the experience before you jump into another equally unproductive day.
Before you start working, you should write down all of the things that were and weren't
working during your study or work session to make sure to have a better experience.

Were you supposed to study, but spent the whole time gossiping with your study
buddy? Then you should study solo next time.
Were you doing work in your office, but really spent the whole day helping out your
colleagues instead of getting any work done for yourself? Then next time, you should
be less helpful and a little bit more selfish.
Did you waste your whole day reading random articles that people posted on
Facebook, g-chatting with your friends, or texting with your friends about what you'll
do that night? It's better to do those things after the work day is done.
Before you start your work day, write down whatever it was that kept you from
accomplishing your goals, so that you're less likely to make the same mistake.
2 Have a solid pre-work routine. Whether you're going to the library or heading to the
office for an eight-hour work day, it's important to have a solid routine before you
start working so your day starts off on the right foot and you're more motivated to get
everything done.

Get enough sleep. Wake up and go to bed around the same time every day, so that
your body feels alert and refreshed when you get up, not groggy and tired.
Eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, so you
should eat enough to have the energy to start working, but not so much that you feel
sluggish or bogged down. Eat healthy carbs like oatmeal or wheat cereal, proteins like
eggs or lean turkey, and some fruits or vegetables to get your day started.
Make time for some quick exercise. Just 15 to 20 minutes of walking, light aerobics,
or sit-ups and abdominal exercises will get your blood pumping without making you
tired.
Watch your caffeine intake. Though coffee can jolt you awake, try not to have more
than one cup a day, or you'll crash by noon. Instead, switch to a low-caffeine tea, or
even wean yourself off of caffeine completely, if you really want to have a productive
day.
3 Pick the right time and place. Though you may not have the luxury of choosing when
to start and end your work day if you work in a traditional office, if you do have some
flexibility, then you should start working when you feel most alert, and pick an
environment that helps you do work.

Remember that everyone's most productive hour is different. Some people are most
productive when they first wake up, while others need some more time to get settled
before they really feel alert. Pick the time when your body is most ready to say, "Let's
go!" and not, "Let's nap."
It's important to find the right work environment for yourself. Some people work best
from home because they feel the most comfortable there, while others feel more
motivated when they're in a coffee shop or library where everyone is doing work.

4 Anticipate your needs. If you want to be as focused and productive as possible, then
 you should anticipate your needs before you start studying, or your mind will start to
wander if your body wants to do something other than work.

Be prepared with healthy snacks like nuts, apples, bananas, and carrot sticks to keep
you going instead of stepping out to the vending machine.
Always hydrate. No matter where you go, you should bring a bottle of water to keep
your body refreshed.
Bring or wear layers of clothing. If the room where you're working is too hot or too
cold, you should be prepared to take off some layers or throw on a scarf or a sweater.
You don't want to lose your focus because you're sweating or shivering and can't do
anything about it.

Part Three of Four:

Getting Organized

1 Make a to-do list. If you want to focus better, you need to make a to-do list every day
so that you have a tangible list of things to check off when you're done, and feel more
direction to accomplish your goals. Instead of sitting around aimlessly, you'll have a list of
goals in front of you, and will feel a sense of pride when you get them done.[2]

Write down at least three things you need to get done that day, three things you need
to get done the next day, and three things that need to get done that week. Tackle the
things that you need to get done that day first, and feel accomplished if you have time
to get a jump start and work on the other tasks.
Reward yourself with breaks. Give yourself a small break every time you check
another item off of your to-do list.
 Try doing all the small tasks, such as getting groceries, as soon as you can. This will
narrow down your list and will ensure that you do all the minor tasks first. Don't be
lazy and procrastinate those small things!

2 Prioritize your tasks. Remember to do the most creative or difficult tasks in the
morning, when you're full of energy and motivation. Save the easier things, like
scheduling meetings, filing old papers, or cleaning your work space, for the afternoon,
when you're feeling more drained.[3]

Don't put off the hardest task until the end of the day, or you may find that it will spill
into the next day.

3 Keep an organized space. Keeping an organized space is the key to being able to
focus. Focusing is much easier if you know exactly where everything in your office,
library desk, backpack, or general work space is. Having an organized space will save you
countless time when you need to find something, and it will keep you more motivated to
get work done.

Clear anything not work-related away from your work space. Aside from a few photos
in your work office, everything you keep out should be related to work, whether it's
paper, a stapler, or a set of pens.
Put away your cell phone unless you really need it to work. You can check it every
hour or two, but don't keep it out on your desk, or you'll be tempted to look at it all the
time.
Have an organized filing system. Knowing exactly where all of your documents are
will save you tons of time throughout the day.

4 Manage your time. Managing your time is an important part of being focused. When
you start a new work day and write your to-do list, write how long you think it will take
to accomplish each task next to the task, so that you have a sense of what your day will
look like. Try to do the most time-consuming things first so you can get them out of the
way.

Set reasonable expectations for each task. You shouldn't give yourself twenty
minutes to do something that should take an hour. Otherwise, you'll get disappointed
when you don't accomplish your goals.
If you finish a task early, use that time for a quick break. This will motivate you to get
more work done.
 5 Plug breaks into your schedule. Taking breaks is just as important as staying on
task. If you plan your day to include bursts of productivity followed by short breaks,
then you'll be far more focused than if you just spend the entire day "sort of" working
without taking any real breaks.[4]

Give yourself at least 10 to 20 minutes to take a break after every hour of work. You
can use this time to make a quick phone call, respond to a friend's email, or step out
to get a cup of tea.
Reward yourself with breaks. Use the breaks as a motivation to get work done. If you
think, "I can have a delicious smoothie once I'm done with this paper," then you'll be
much more motivated than if there's nothing positive on the horizon.
Use one of the breaks to get some mild exercise. Just taking a quick 15-minute walk
or walking up five flights of stairs and then back down will get your blood going and
will make you feel more alert and energized.
Take a break to get some fresh air. Don't spend all day cooped up in your office or
home. Step out to breathe in some fresh air, catch a morning breeze, or let the
sunlight hit your face and you'll feel more focused and ready to get back to work.

Part Four of Four:

Avoiding Distractions
1 Avoid distractions online. The Internet may be filled with interesting and valuable
information, but when it comes to getting work done, it can be a huge time-suck. If
you really want to get work done, then you need to avoid Facebook and chatting with your
friends throughout your work day, and to check your email only a few times a day if you
really need to.[5]

If you spot an interesting article, tell yourself that you can read it during your
scheduled break time -- but not sooner.
Avoid sending personal emails while you're working. This will distract you and will
usually take a lot longer than you intended.
If you don't really need the Internet for work, then disconnect your wireless
completely. You can reconnect it every hour or two to check back in.
Avoiding online distractions completely takes time. If you check your Facebook and
email every fifteen minutes, start by checking it every 30 minutes, and see if you can
work up to checking it just two or three times a day, or to avoiding Facebook all
together.
If you do need the Internet to work, try not to keep more than five tabs open at a time.
Focus on what you need to read and move on. If you have too many pages open at
once, your mind will be in multi-task mode.
2 Don't get distracted by other people. Other people are a major distraction, whether
you're working in an office or a library. Don't let them keep you from accomplishing
your goals. Though it may be tempting to socialize when you're supposed to be working,
this will slow you down and will make you work longer.[6]

Let everyone around you know how important it is that you get your work done,
whether you're working near your family or your colleagues. They'll be less likely to
butt in if they see how committed you are.
Don't take personal phone calls or text messages unless there's no avoiding it. Tell
your friends and family to contact you while you're working if it's really important, and
you'll get less messages.
If you have a study buddy or a study group, make sure everyone stays on task. You
can even clap your hands once every time people get off task to serve as a reminder
of how important it is to stay focused.
3 Don't get distracted by your environment. Any work environment can be distracting if
you allow it to get to you. But if you have the right mindset, then you can use almost
any work environment to your advantage. Here's what to do:

If you're working in a loud and public place, invest in some noise-cancelling

headphones or listen to music without lyrics to stay focused.
If you're sitting next to someone who is talking on his phone, or two friends who are
loudly engaged in conversation, move away from them, even if you're settled in your
place.
If you're working somewhere where a television is on, don't look up at it more than
once an hour, or you can get sucked in.

4 Stay motivated. If you want to avoid distractions and focus more, the best way is to
stay motivated to finish your task. You should write down why you're motivated to
 get your work done, and look down at this reason several times a day, to remind yourself
why it's important to focus and not be tempted by a distraction.

Consider the importance of your work itself. Tell yourself that if you're grading
papers, it's important to give your students feedback. If you're wrapping up a project,
then it's important for the success of your company.
Consider yourself. What personal advantage will you gain from getting the work
done? If you study for a test, then you'll be able to get a good grade and boost your
GPA. If you seal an important deal with a client, you may be able to get a promotion.
Consider the fun things that await once the work is done. Remind yourself about the
fun things you can do once the task is done, whether it's taking an evening yoga
class, catching up with an old friend over ice cream, or having a nice, relaxing meal
with your significant other. While doing maths, listen to cool and slow songs as it will
keep your mind fresh and you will be enjoying studies
Ad

Change Your
Life
Helping you achieving your
goals & purpose through
Coaching

Tips

Try to make your mind as much relaxed so as not to be thinking or having any tension
about anything or anyone.
Exercise often helps improve focus. A 20-minute jog doesn't take very long and can work
wonders.
A long attention span helps as well. To ensure that you do not develop a short attention
span, do not spend much time on activities that divert your attention every few seconds.
These types of activities train your brain to only focus on tasks for a short amount of time,
 making it hard to focus. Some examples of these activities are texting in chat rooms, and
video games. All of this is backed up by science.
Know a good tip? Add it.
Add

Warnings

The inability to focus is not always a matter lack of motivation or laziness. Certain
medical conditions, such as ADHD, can physically prevent someone from focusing, so if
you've tried everything to focus but nothing will keep you from being distracted, you may
need to seek professional help.

Related wikiHows

How to Re Program Your Ability to Focus

How to Meditate

How to Think for Yourself

How to Set Goals

How to Stop Getting Distracted when Try...

How to Focus on Doing Work at Home

How to Concentrate on Studies

How to Focus on Studying

How to Get Your Homework Done Fast

How to Focus on Homework

How to Concentrate on Your Homework

How to Do Homework Without Getting Dist...

How to Focus with ADHD

Ad
Article Info

Search How to...