Do you know how to increase concentration and focus to do valuable work, or are you fine with letting noise, distractions, and gadgets destroy your productivity?
As Graham Bell said, “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” And these words are painted with reality— and wisdom.
You yearn to give your best, but find it challenging to achieve significant work —worth talking about. Wondering why concentration skill is important?
Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work, presents the ability to increase focus and complete cognitively demanding tasks as a rare skill that leads to significant success.
You work hard but often find your attention wandering, resulting in average performance and results. You can stop this lousy habit if you learn how to increase concentration and focus. Let’s see what research says on the issue.
In a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, it was found that an average office worker gets interrupted every 3 minutes and that it takes around 20 to 23 minutes for them to get back on track—to refocus.
Tips on how to increase concentration and focus
You can learn to increase your concentration and outsmart and outwork most of your colleagues in no time. It’s a process that requires time and practice, but smart professionals— like you—can do this!
If that interests you, start with the following strategies and stick to them— until they become second nature.
- See yourself as a productive person and that you can keep your mind on the task
- Practice working on a task for a specific length of time ( 20 or 30 minutes at a time) and do not stop until the time is up
- Put your mind on a leash and bring it back on track as soon as it goes off task
- Using classical or instrumental music— if that helps you focus
- Turn your cellphone off while working on a task
- Compartmentalize your time and schedule your work accordingly
- Set small and achievable goals for yourself until you get more comfortable with this new process
- Practice monotasking and avoid multitasking— as much as you can
- Take proper mental breaks after completing your time or tasks
- Have a healthy sleeping routine to help your brain stay strong
- Practice these tips every day to train your mind to focus and track your accomplishments
Do you need guidance to create a system to increase your concentration skills? Email the CBL Team now and check out our book: Creating Winning Career Systems. Please share this post with your smart friends.
PS: A few posts that you might have missed:
- A Daily Mistake That Devalues Even Smart Professionals
- Want a Rewarding Career? Avoid this Employee Performance Appraisal Trap
- Why Employee Training Might be Hurting Your Career and Professional Development Efforts
- Why Smart and Ambitious Employees Refuse to Bet and Rely on Career Goals
- How to Use Critical Thinking Skills to Look Sharp and Well-Informed
- Why Hiring Mistakes Shouldn’t Destroy your Job Search Strategies
