In the fast paced world we live in, concentration can sometimes seem impossible. Distractions abound at every corner. Especially on the interwebs, its so easy to go from being on a roll with your work to wasting half an hour on Facebook. Don’t let that happen. Instead, make a plan and stick to it. Incorporate these 5 tips to ensure you stay on track.
Multitask the right way
There’s a difference between multitasking and compulsively switching tasks in order to avoid the big assignment you know has to get done. Prioritize your tasks, make a list, then do them by order of importance. Give your brain a quick refresher when you need one by switching to another less important task for a few minutes. If you take a break by going on Facebook or Twitter searching random celebrities, you’ll lose motivation. If you take a break by working on a more fun task, you can rest assured that all of your work time will be well spent.
Quit procrastinating
Don’t procrastinate your life away – be someone who gets stuff done. Ask yourself if the task you’re putting off be any easier in an hour, a day, a week. Probably not. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you’ll get it off your mind. Then you’ll feel awesome after its done, or even when you’re halfway there. The really big looming projects only seem daunting when we’re procrastinating.
Bribe your brain
Be sure to reward yourself a post-task treat. This could be something as small as 15 minutes of indulging in mindless stuff on Youtube. Our brains thrive on hope, and feeling like you’re working toward something, ideally, both during your day and on a grander scale, will make getting through a tough task much more bearable.
Change your environment
Make sure your brain doesn’t get bored by switching up your environment every once in a while. A new setting will feel like a fresh start, which can be especially helpful if you had trouble concentrating in a previous location. Make sure the area you choose to work in has a bit of white noise and movement. This will serve to keep your subconscious occupied while your rational brain focuses on what you need to do.
Live in the moment
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re not present in the moment. Remind yourself that the past is over and the future doesn’t exist yet. Thoughts of regretting what’s already happened or dreaming of the future will inevitably pop into your mind, and it can be hard to quit them. If it helps, write down the nagging thought and make an appointment with yourself to think about it later. Chances are, you’ll see how much more important the task at hand is.
