10 Ways to Improve Focus

Problems focusing can easily send you into a downwards spiral. It is sometimes difficult to get back on track once concentration is broken, and can lead to anxiety and feelings of unworthiness. This list is a good starting point towards gaining your power back!

1. Make a schedule and try to stick with it. By having a roadmap for your day, you are more likely to pull yourself back onto your task if you have a direction.

2. Make a to do list. By getting to see real results, it will help with satisfaction, and combat feelings of anxiety and not knowing how to get started.

3. Set a concentration timer for 10 minutes...25 minutes...whatever you can successfully achieve at first. By letting yourself know that you earn a break after intense focus time, it will often help the mind to block out the frustration and let you work.

4. Set small goals/tasks within a larger goal/task. By having easier to attain milestones, it will encourage you to keep going towards the end goal without feelings of hopelessness consuming you.

5. Set small rewards to celebrate your achievements. It is important to appreciate yourself and others. Appreciation is one of the most important motivational tools to encourage positive behavior.

6. Try listening to calming music. Some people concentrate better if they have some background music to satisfy a busy brain; others find it distracting, and find that it doesn’t help promote concentration. Play around with different kinds of music and see if it helps your focus improve.

7. Getting plenty of rest. While we all know adequate sleep is necessary for optimal concentration, it is also important to take breaks to stretch, drink water, walk around, etc. if you ignore your needs, it becomes increasingly more difficult to concentrate effectively.

8. Exercise regularly. If you notice that you’re reading a book and you’ve gotten through a chapter, just to look up and realize that you don’t remember a single thing in that chapter; then it may help to move around vigorously to allow yourself a physical break to get your mind back in the game.

9. Remember to eat. For people who struggle with concentration, remembering to eat can be a real problem. Forgetting to eat can exacerbate the ineffectiveness you’re trying to fighting against.

10. Talk to someone about what’s bothering you. If we try to take on the world by ourselves, it will become too much, and will cause anxiety and concentration issues if left to fester.