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They said that a goldfish has a low attention span. Little do they know, we are not any better. According to a study from Microsoft, the average human has an 8-second attention span. That is even less than a goldfish by one second. I personally believe that the number has also shrunk over time because our digital world keeps moving fast. And we are always seeking out for what’s new and what’s next all the time.
You might develop an easily-distracted habit that is making it difficult for you to complete your work in an efficient manner, but the good news is that there are several ways to improve your focus and concentration. Here is a list of effective ways you can begin to use today.
1: Avoid Multitasking Too Much
You might think that performing several tasks at the same time is a great way to finish more projects, but this can lead to making errors because you must change your mental focus all the time. In addition, as you switch from one activity to another, you may need more tools to complete a task, causing you to waste time and eventually lose your focus. While multitasking occasionally is a good idea, try to avoid this work habit would be a better idea.
2: Have a Written Schedule
Rather than working on tasks randomly, create a written schedule to get more accomplished. You can place a written schedule on your desk or wall to remind you when you can take a break. A schedule at work might include making a certain number of telephone calls to prospective clients or writing several emails to current customers. By having a written schedule, you will become more focused on what you need to do each day.
3: Taking Breaks Occasionally
You might think that taking breaks while working is a waste of time, but this is a wrong assumption. It is important to take breaks throughout the day to clear your mind, engage in physical activity, brain exercises or consume a nutritious meal. Find a quiet place at work where you can meditate, go outside for a walk in the sunlight or eat a fantastic lunch to recharge your mind and body.
4: Give Your Brain a Challenge
Puzzle games can improve your mental flexibility. Whether they are jigsaw puzzles, serpent puzzles, Rubik’s cubes or chinese checkers, they challenge you to expand on your usual approaches to problem-solving. The puzzle games are varied in their genres. Do you know that even the video game can help you to improve mental abilities? However, in your break time, it is best to do something off the screen. Taking part in daily strategy games like this is also a good way to help you improve your mental focus.
5: Create Your Own Deadlines For Completing Tasks
Learn how to manage your time effectively by creating your own written deadlines for tasks. If you have 30 days to write a term paper for a class, then it doesn’t mean that you actually need to wait until the last day to begin researching and writing it. By creating your own deadlines to finish a project, you can break it down into rough steps, making it easier to write an excellent term paper that will receive a high score from a professor.
6: Stay Away From Distractions
Stay away from unnecessary distractions while working in order to complete a job faster. Some of the most common distractions while working include stopping to talk to coworkers, watching television or reading your email. Close your office door, disconnect the cable from your television and use self-control to avoid reading the messages from friends.
7: Do What You Enjoy First
There are probably several tasks at work that you enjoy completing more than other tasks, and if you finish these jobs first, then you will have extra time to work on the difficult or less enjoyable tasks. Think carefully about the tasks that make you feel energized doing them, and place these jobs on the top of your daily work list.
8: Manage Your Own Well-being
To boost your own productivity, make sure to manage your own well-being by eating nutritious foods, exercising and getting enough sleep. Monitor yourself of how you feel with the change you might make in your daily routine. This is to see what works best for you. If you feel fantastic, then you are going to have a brain that focuses longer and works better, making it possible to complete tasks efficiently
9: Meditation
Meditation is notorious for relaxation that can greatly improve your ability to concentrate and focus. By spending a few minutes in meditation, you can noticeably restore your calm and inner peace. Meditation is for anyone. It's simple and inexpensive, and it doesn't require any special equipment. All you need is your mind to
10: Turn Off Your Cell Phone
While having a cellphone is a great modern convenience, it is a huge distraction and it can also waste a lot of your time. If you are addicted to your cell phone, then you may need to turn it off while you are working to avoid reading texts or making calls to friends. By keeping your cell phone turned off while you are working, you will focus on your tasks better, helping you get things done.
You've read 10 Tips to Improve Focus and Dramatically Boost Your Performance, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.