Use these simple steps to improve your concentration and keep your mind sharp.
Having trouble concentrating? You are not alone! With today's hectic pace of life, it's easy to be overwhelmed with demands on your time, and even easier to become distracted. Try using a few simple steps to recharge your mind and regain your focus.
Eliminate Distractions
Not that indicate obvious, but to really focus, it is important to eliminate or at least minimize distractions. But what is distracting to one person may not be for another. Most people like to listen to music to concentrate, but for some people, it just makes them want to throw things across the room. Identify your distractions - everything from noise to telephones for people - and do whatever you can to reduce their distraction potential.
Take a break
This may seem inappropriate to concentrate but let your mind wander or indulge in a change of scenery for a few minutes can be very beneficial and allows you to concentrate more easily when you return to the task at hand.
Exercise
Exercise helps reduce tension and goes a long way towards improving your concentration. Whether you train in the morning or evening or take a quick 5 minute walk when you need a break, exercise helps melt away the stress of impending deadlines or problems and helps you think more clearly. Plus it makes you healthier and looks good, too!
Build your stamina
Although this sounds like something athletes do, you can use it to concentrate on one task, so good. When you have a particularly hard time staying focused enough to finish a task, simply push you to take a little longer. For example, set a small goal to work just 5 minutes more, or read five more pages. Your mental stamina will improve, and chances are that when reaching your goal, you will be in the mindset to go further.
Reward yourself
Hey, we're human, and as such, we like rewards. Pamper yourself in a movie, new CD, massage, night, or even candy bar when you finish a project. If it works for children and dogs, can it work for us adults, too!
Meditate
Regular meditation helps keep your mind keen. It's kind of like exercise for the brain. Plus it's fun to think all zen to your colleges.
Music
As mentioned above, music is one of the key to the merger. If it works for you, great. Connect your mp3 player or pop in a CD of the music that works for you and get to work. If music has the opposite effect on you and you find yourself dong improvement project karaoke instead of working, you should probably file this under "distractions. "
Breakdown
This does not mean you need a break down - it means you must break a large project into smaller parts. It is much easier to concentrate on a few less goals in a row than one big panic-inducing one.
Chew on it
Remember when your grade school teachers put a garbage can in front of your face and made you spit out your gum?. Well it turns out that maybe they were wrong. Studies have shown that chewing gum actually improves memory and concentration. Just be sure to select sugar-free gum if you are happy for your teeth and not chomp it out loud unless you want to be added to an 'distractions' list.
Get a drink
Save the adult beverages for after work but while you work, be sure to drink plenty of water. Why? Even mild dehydration can make you tired and sluggish and less able to concentrate. So get yourself a reusable water bottle, drink and let the transaction begin.
Reclaim your focus by using these simple tips. You'll be more productive, spend less time procrastinating and get more time for yourself.
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