Do you struggle with concentration? Some common reasons why you might have difficulty staying focused include:
- Feeling tired or in pain
- Worry or stress
- Uncertainty about next steps
- External distractions, such as your phone, email, or other people
- Boredom with a task or the desire to move on to something else
If you struggle to maintain concentration and complete tasks in a timely manner, these tips may help:
- Recognize your energy patterns. What time of day is most productive for you? Schedule high priority tasks for when your energy is at its peak.
- Establish priorities. Prioritizing puts the most important tasks front and center. If you struggle with concentration, prioritization helps ensure that key tasks are completed first.
- Get started. Are you someone who needs to work your way into a state of focus? If so, start with an easy task. Finishing off a few “little things” will create a sense of accomplishment that you can carry into more complex projects.
- Avoid multitasking. Doing too many things at once is a recipe for poor concentration. Every time you switch gears, you lose momentum. Instead, try to complete one task at a time (or take it as far as you can) before moving on to the next.
- Minimize disruptions. Try turning off your phone or email when you must perform a task that requires intense focus. If this isn’t an option, consider only checking email or texts once per hour. People who have difficulty filtering out office noise may benefit from wearing noise-canceling headphones or listening to music that enhances concentration.
- Take breaks. Studies show that we are actually more productive if we take the occasional short break. Use this time to stretch, drink some water, or step outside for a bit of fresh air.
- Seek help. Difficulty concentrating may be a symptom of a physical or mental health condition.
Source: Life Advantages
