Getting distracted too often? With notifications on your smart devices going off every five seconds, it can be hard to stay focused on your study or work. Before long, you realize that you just spent an hour scrolling on social media or chatting with a friend instead of completing an important assignment. While you cannot control everything that goes on around you, there are some things you can do to improve your focus and increase your productivity. Here are a few ideas!
1. Block some apps
Some apps are notorious for being distracting. If you find that you are always on Facebook or Twitter, try turning off the push notifications for that app so that you can get work done without being constantly interrupted. And if you still find yourself manually checking the apps, try using an app blocker to block iPhone apps for a certain period of time. This allows you to focus on your work without being interrupted by things like email notifications or chat messages. Some of these apps even come with focus reports, so you can see how much time you spent on different apps and set actionable goals to decrease your distractions.
2. Set a work/rest schedule
When you are working on an important project or studying for an exam, make sure that you are giving yourself enough time to get work done without stopping. Some of the most productive people have been found to work in a ‘sprint’ of 52 minutes, followed by 17 minutes of rest. While you may think it is most important to work for long stretches of time, the key here is actually making sure that you do not forget to take a break. The break allows you to recharge and refocus, and concentrate on your task again when the next cycle commences. If you find it hard to take breaks, try setting an alarm on your computer to remind yourself.
3. Create a productivity plan
You may hear a lot of talk about hacking your productivity by getting up at 5 a.m. but what works for someone on TikTok may not work for you. According to Syracuse University, the key to optimum productivity is to schedule your tasks based on your lifestyle. For instance, early risers tend to be more alert in the morning around 9 a.m. while night owls tend to do their best work in the afternoon around 4 p.m. The key to creating an effective schedule is to figure out what time works best for you. Try out the basic schedule, note down your performance at different times, and tailor your schedule accordingly.
4. Practice mind training
Multitasking can get many things done at the same time, but it can be mentally exhausting. Our easily distractable brains love to chase information around, so you need to teach yourself to focus on a single task instead of switching back and forth between several. Your attention span is like a muscle and it can be trained to become stronger. One way to do this is to do something that requires sustained attention such as learning to play an instrument or reading a complex book. You can also practice mindfulness to become more aware of your distractions and start making conscious decisions on whether you address them.
5. Feed your brain
Your brain is a hungry organ! It needs plenty of nutrition in the form of proteins and fats to function optimally. Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables, nuts and berries, and omega-3 fatty acids will help your brain function at its best. Avoid sugary treats or alcohol as these will only make you crash and feel lethargic. There are also herbal supplements that you can take that are thought to boost cognitive function such as ginseng and ginkgo biloba. Some studies have found that caffeine can also improve mental function. However, be careful not to consume too much caffeine late in the day as it can interfere with your sleep.
6. Get enough sleep
Staying up to chat with friends or binge-watch Netflix is fun, but too many late nights can hurt your ability to focus during the day. Make sure that you are getting at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night. This will give your brain the rest it needs to function well and concentrate. If you find yourself feeling tired during the day, take a 15-minute power nap to reenergize your brain. Your smart devices also play a part in disrupting your sleep cycle, so try to turn them off an hour before going to bed to prevent you from becoming too ‘wired’ before bedtime. Ideally, you should always keep your smartphone or laptop out of the bedroom.
In the era of information overload, we have become accustomed to multi-tasking and juggling multiple projects at the same time. But constantly doing more than one thing at a time can hurt our concentration, accuracy, and ability to learn new things. Improving your focus and productivity is a two-fold process that combines changing the way you work with taking good care of your mind and body. If you find your attention drifting throughout the day or have problems completing your tasks, the above tips may be just what you need to get your focus back on track.