As the saying goes, procrastination is the killer of all progress.
Tips to improve your concentration range from dietary supplements like The Focus Capsules to interval-timing strategies like the infamous Pomodoro technique, but how can we combine these various strategies to achieve our optimum focus potential?
There a few lifestyle changes we can make to improve focus, up our concentration and generally increase our performance levels, but how do you know which options are best? And where do you start?
The enemy: procrastination
Many people struggle to focus as they keep getting distracted. Whether you're distracted by your phone, your colleague, the television or your mind tends to wander, this all leads to a delay in focus and performance. The art of procrastination is a difficult concept, as the actual reason that many people engage in this self-sabotaging behaviour is out of fear of failure, not laziness.
If we put something off, maybe a chore, a work task or an important piece of academic work, often what we subconsciously think we are doing is solving the issue at that present moment by pushing it into the future. Whereas, really, if we just set aside a dedicated slot of time to smash out the task and focus, the task becomes a lot less overwhelming.
Easier said than done though, right?
Whilst it can be pretty hard to stop these habits dead in their tracks, with the right mindset and by following our carefully selected tips, you’ll be well on your way to improving your concentration in no time.
How to improve your focus levels
Self care
The building blocks to improve your concentration actually stem from taking good care of your body and mind. Nothing good can grow from bad roots, so ensure you are staying healthy and active. This includes a balanced diet, proper exercise and dedicated self-care time. You deserve it.
Be at one with nature
Now, we’re not suggesting you ditch the urban lifestyle and set up camp in the nearest woods. But, make time every day to get outdoors, get some natural light and take a walk.
Fresh air resets your mind, which is a huge positive boost for your mental health, allows you to relax and improves your concentration levels tenfold. It’s also a massive stress-buster, so if you’re finding that you procrastinate as a result of being too overwhelmed, this tip is definitely for you.
Write a to-do list
Envisioning all the tasks you’ve got set for the day is a great way to break down an otherwise overwhelming thought. Writing down your thoughts and tasks is a great way to get everything out on the page, acting as an external memory aid. Not only does this increase your productivity levels but ticking off your tasks as they’re done is a real serotonin-booster!
Engage in some brain training
If you’re looking for some quick-fix advice in the face of an upcoming deadline, skip to our next point.
Regularly engaging in brain training exercises such as word searches, sudoku and classic board games such as chess keep your brain switched on. Studies into this area have backed up this theory, finding that engaging in a range of cognitive training techniques like these has a beneficial effect when it comes to improving your focus. Winning!
Get rid of all distractions
Your phone? Lock it away. Turn off the TV. Put down any and all electronic devices that aren’t necessary for your task.
If you’re in a busy, bustling environment, try and take yourself off into a quiet corner or find a room away from everyone else. Put some headphones in, listen to a podcast, some lo-fi beats, or your favourite playlist, and block out the world.
Summary
Unfortunately, improving your focus is no easy feat, but it’s definitely not an impossible one. In combination with the above tips, focus supplements such as The Focus Capsules are a great addition to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Improving your focus in the key, as this increase in concentration will make you more productive, more efficient, and in the end – more successful.
Whilst we know all too well that it can be hard to focus on what is required of us at work with the numerous stresses and hustle and bustle of daily life (as that is what makes us all human), by taking a step back, having time for yourself, putting in place a focus strategy and fuelling your body with a balanced diet, you can combat some of the biggest hurdles when it comes to focusing on the task at hand.
You've got this, we believe in you!
References
- Hardy, J. L., Nelson, R. A., Thomason, M. E., Sternberg, D. A., Katovich, K., Farzin, F., & Scanlon, M. (2015). Enhancing Cognitive Abilities with Comprehensive Training: A Large, Online, Randomized, Active-Controlled Trial. 10(9). Click here.