Struggling to Focus and Concentrate?
Some days it’s harder to focus and concentrate than others. These top tips will help you when your mind starts to wander.
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STRUCTURE YOUR DAY
If you have a whole day with no plans, it can be easy to fritter it away, even though you have several tasks that need to get done. Make a plan for your day, for example, ‘start the report first thing, take a break mid-morning and walk to the café for some coffee, then, get it into a good draft state by lunchtime’.
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STREAMLINE YOUR WORKSPACE
If your workplace feels cluttered, it can be hard to focus. Try to make sure at the end of each day you tidy it up. But, don’t let cleaning up your workspace become a delaying tactic, stopping you from doing what needs to be done.
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REDUCE DISTRACTIONS
Turn off email notifications for 30 minutes, put your phone on silent, close the door if possible and let co-workers know you need some time without interruptions.
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MAKE NOTES
If you find your mind wanders when reading an important document, or in a meeting, then take notes. You will have to really listen to make sure your notes are accurate.
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BREAK UP BIG TASKS
A big task can be off-putting and therefore feel hard to achieve. Break it up into smaller ones and work out how you can achieve each smaller piece.
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SET A DEADLINE
Open deadlines can be hard to work with, so if you don’t have an actual deadline to work with, give yourself one. Tell yourself you will finish the task by a certain time, or day, to give you something to focus on.
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STAY HEALTHY
Concentration can be affected by lack of sleep and poor diet. Try to reduce sugar and caffeine intake as they only give short-term benefits.
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PRIORITISE
Decide what is vital that you do today, what is desirable and what would just be a ‘nice to do’. Start with the vital tasks and get them done. Sometimes that can give you the boost you need to get everything on your list done!