Stay Focused with These 15 Essential Tips

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How To Stay Focused?

The definition of focus varies from person to person. Some consider it the ability to stay on task, while others consider it the ability to shut out all other stimuli and remain in the present moment. Whatever your definition, the ability to control your focus is a skill that can vastly improve your life and your productivity. Being able to focus is not only a great way to improve your productivity but also a key to unlocking your full potential as a person.

Focus often brings to mind a state of mind in which we have narrowed our field of attention to one thing. In other words, it’s a state of being hyper-conscious and paying close attention to something. When we are in a state of focus, we are completely immersed in what we are doing at the moment. We don’t allow anything else to intrude on our experience.

15 Tips to Help you Stay Focused:

1-Organize your workspace:

A clean workspace, whether in your office or at home, can aid you in concentrating and getting your work done more efficiently. Remove anything that could potentially serve as a distraction from the task at hand. Having a decluttered desk, with only the important tools, can help you relax while you work.

Related:How to Be More Organized at Work ? « 15 Tips 

2-Create and follow a To-do list:

As we know, multitasking can make it harder to focus. One way to overcome this when you have to switch between tasks is to prioritize your work. To start your day off right, you should create a To-do list that you will follow. This way, you will be aware of what needs to be done today and what tasks you need to reserve time for on your calendar.

Related:How To Plan Your Day ?

3-Write down all your ideas:

When working on a task, it’s not uncommon to come up with new ideas. However, there are days when the influx of new thoughts can be so overwhelming that it’s difficult to maintain focus.
The best way to deal with your spontaneous ideas is to have a pen and notebook close by. Whenever an idea pops into your head, jot it down, let it go for the time being, and come back to it later.

Related:10 Tips to start Journaling and make it a Habit

4-Keep your to-do list organized:

An unorganized to-do list with many unfinished tasks can negatively impact productivity. This is because there is no clear plan for which tasks need to be completed first.
To make your to-do list more manageable, create three separate lists for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Organize these lists in order of priority, so that you are aware of what needs to be done first. As you complete each task, be sure to cross it out on the list. This will help you keep track of your progress.

Related:How to Be More Organized at Work ? « 15 Tips 

5-Eliminate distractions:

If you want to be more productive and stay focused, it is helpful to get rid of anything in your surroundings that might interfere. If it is possible, try keeping your phone in another room or staying offline to reduce distractions and improve your focus overall. Working by yourself or in a quiet place will also make you more concentrated.

6-Train your mind:

Various brain training activities can improve your cognitive abilities and, as a result, your ability to focus. When you train your brain to become more disciplined, you can become more successful in paying attention to the task at hand.

7-Work in a quiet space:

Working alone or in a secluded area usually allows you to be more productive, as there are fewer distractions from colleagues or your workplace environment. A quiet environment also helps you improve your focus.

8-Get a good night’s sleep:

It is more difficult to maintain mental focus when you are tired. Getting good sleep or taking a quick nap when you are exhausted can help you stay focused and increase productivity.

Related:Sleep Deprivation: Symptoms, Causes, & 10 Effects

9-Choose the time of day that works best for you:

Some people focus best early in the morning, while others find they work better late at night. It’s important to find out what works best for you and then do that, so you know when you’re most productive. If you are not a morning person, do not wait until the evening to get work done. Utilize the morning hours instead. The same goes for night owls.

10-Exercise:

Stimulating and refreshing your brain regularly through exercise not only improves memory capacity and concentration but also helps you to stay energized. This, in turn, allows you to stay focused and on the task at work.

11-Set a time limit for each task:

To manage your time more effectively, create a to-do list, and next to each item, include an estimate of how long it will take to complete the task. It is important to be realistic when making this estimate. To avoid slacking off or spending too much time texting your friends instead of completing the task, try to work within the given time limit.

12-Make time for breaks during the day:

It may sound counter-intuitive, but plugging relaxation into your daily schedule can help you be more productive and focused. To stay motivated, refreshed, and focused, take a 5-10 minute break for every hour of work or a 3-5 minute break for every half hour of work.

Related:20 Things To Do In Your Free Time

13-Avoid coffee, and drink more water:

Though it might seem like it would be better to drink more coffee while working to stay energized, too much coffee can make you more tired. Caffeine overdose can cause dizziness and insomnia, making it hard to concentrate.
To maintain a healthy body, try replacing some daily coffees with water to stay hydrated.

14-Comfortable chair:

A comfortable chair might seem like a small change, but it makes a big difference in your work performance. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair will cause backaches, and you’ll get tired more quickly.

15-Connect with nature:

Being in nature, or even just being around plants, has been shown to increase concentration and productivity, as well as work satisfaction and better air quality.

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