Getting and staying focused when you know you should be working on a task isn’t always easy. Especially when you struggle with your mental health. While many of the traditional tips to stay focus will help, you may need a few more ideas to try. With practice each one becomes easier to do and eventually you will develop a new habit. Anyone can benefit from these simple tips that will boost your focus and keep you sharp for longer stretches of time. Give them a try and see if you find them as helpful as I do.
Write A To-Do List
Is there anything better than a fresh to-do list? Wait, does not everyone love lists as much as I do? LOL. My family has always made fun of me for my detailed to-do lists. I include activities such as showering, eating, and other basic day to day activities because it truly helps me stay focused on what needs to be done next. When you have a clear objective, broken down into steps you need to do one at a time, it becomes much easier to focus and stay on track with your day. You know exactly what you need to focus on and when that’s done you don’t waste any time figuring out what comes next. You simply move on to the next item on your list.
Before you sit down to get your focused work done, spend a few minutes figuring out exactly what it is you need to get accomplished. Even better, do it the afternoon or night before, so you are up and running first thing in the morning. Then before you call it a day, while everything about the project is still fresh on your mind, make out tomorrow’s list.
Set A Timer
Nothing helps you focus better than a tight deadline. You can use the Pomodoro technique to work under short deadlines using nothing more than a kitchen timer. As someone who has lived with depression for most of my life, I have found this method to be very helpful. Our brains need breaks and the timer forces you to do that. While the Pomodoro technique suggests 25 minutes, feel free to make yours a shorter amount of time in the beginning or on difficult days. Even just 10 minutes of focus and then a 5 minute break can get you through some difficult days with more productivity than you expected. You’ll be surprised how much it will help you focus and get more done in less time.
Grab a kitchen timer, or use an app on your phone. Decide what task you want to work on and set a timer for 25 minutes. Work fast and furious until that timer goes off. Take a 5 minute break and start another 25 minute work sessions. After three to four of these sessions take a longer break, get up, and move around.
Crank Up Some Tunes
If you find that your mind keeps wandering, or if you are working in a distracting or noisy environment, consider plugging in some headphones and listening to some music to help you focus. It can drown out the noise around you and help you keep your mind on the job you’re doing. You can also put on white noise or soothing sounds such as the waves of the ocean crashing on the shore, or sounds of the rain forest. The possibilities are endless!
There is specific music out there that helps you focus, work, or study. Do a quick search on YouTube and try a few different ones. Classical or instrumental music in general also works well for a lot of people. Words can be distracting so by using music without words, it gives you the ability to stay calm and focus on the task at hand.
In the end it comes down to personal preference though. Listen to the type of music that gets you going and helps you stay focused.
Gives these strategies for staying focused a try and find out what works best for you. You want something that motivates you and makes you push harder, concentrate for longer periods of time, and help you produce your best work. You will feel more accomplished and successful which will lead to your feeling more joy and confidence.
We are stronger together.
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