Surely we all know the feeling when we sit to work with a to-do list but are constantly distracted by something. Social media notifications, private phone calls or a colleague sitting nearby at work. For the most complex and demanding tasks, we need concentration. Without it, the results are much worse. In our article, we will show you proven ways to show you how to concentrate. There is no single golden rule, but there are a few actions that can help improve your concentration.
Use a To-Do List to organise your work.
It is very sensible to have an accurate plan. This way, we will always have an idea of what we should do on a given day. This allows us to concentrate on the task. No more distractions or jumping between threads. It’s a good idea to start with a task that is a priority. If you don’t know how to focus, organising your work can be the real key to succeeding in this situation and improving your concentration .
The best way is to prepare such a list at least one day in advance, so that in the morning we can go to work with a clear vision of what we have to do. It is best to cross off each task you have completed straight away, this is a very effective motivator for further duties. This way you will be better prepared to move on to the next activity. In addition, you can specify the amount of time you want to spend on the task. This will also motivate you to be effective in your concentration.
You’re probably wondering how to make an effective task list. It’s very simple, and a big help these days are specialised task management tools or technology that allows you to create a To-Do list.
If you want, check out IC Project tool for more effective task management. You will define your tasks, set a deadline for them and, in addition, manage the entire completion process. You always know what needs to be done and for when – this will improve your work organisation immensely, while keeping you focused on your planned duties. In addition, you have your tasks visualised in a number of ways – from a Kanban board, to a list form, to the to-do list mentioned in this section.
Technology is the most popular solution, while you can make a task list any way you like. It doesn’t matter where you save. What matters is that the tasks are in one place. Use a calendar, a piece of paper, a smartphone, or the mentioned task management app. With a list like this, you don’t waste time and attention on unnecessary thoughts. After every single task you complete, you cross it off the list and move on to the next one. Your work will become more organised and clearer, and this will ultimately allow you to focus on your duties. Put this into practice and you certainly won’t regret it in terms of your concentration.
Set your phone aside or turn off notifications for better concentration.
We currently know of no greater distraction than the smartphone. Constant curiosity about what’s new on social media, scrolling through our favourite pages or writing off the news is a habit for most people. We find it hard to focus if our concentration is directed in several directions. Looking at a screen for moments turns into hours of scrolling through our favourite apps. Turn off your phone or app notifications.
Nowadays, most mobile systems offer special opportunities to mute notifications for a selected period – a great solution to adjust what is important to us and what can wait for our break. For your efficiency, this will be a real stepping stone for your focus to go to the next level. If you’re asking yourself: how do I concentrate? You already know the answer to that, putting your phone down will be the first step to guarantee full focus on the duties at hand.
Remember that every person’s job is slightly different and very often for a salesperson to completely put the phone down is not necessarily a good solution. You need to use common sense in everything. The worst thing is social media, which is designed to get your attention at times when they don’t have it. Therefore, a particularly good solution for improving your focus would be to get rid of notifications just from these apps for times when you want to devote your attention to the key tasks at hand. Concentration is very important, this way you will take care of it.
Keep your body hydrated and eat regularly – this will indirectly improve your concentration!
Diet is extremely important in the functioning of every human being – it affects many of our internal processes. You are well aware that when you are hungry, you cannot necessarily concentrate on your tasks. The analogy is with your dehydration. This is why you need to keep your body hydrated and also eat regularly. Your body gets used to a certain routine very quickly, so working it out will be key. If you provide the required amount of water at the right time, as well as good quality meals, you will see results in your functioning.
A healthy and balanced diet will have an impact on your focus and concentration, but also many other processes. In short, you will feel better in your body, and this is key to improving your own performance on many levels. To maximise your concentration, try to eat high quality foods, because so-called junk food will not be a good option, and your body will sooner or later verify this against a negative approach to your focus. See the principles of healthy eating.
When we are dehydrated, many processes also slow down. Even a slight lack of water weakens us and makes us work less efficiently. In order to function properly, the body needs fuel, and that fuel for everyone is food and hydration. Our thoughts often return to what we are going to eat and how thirsty we are. If you want to focus better on your tasks, take care of this and your work will take on real colouration.
Take care of your workstation! This will help you concentrate better!
A tidy workspace helps you to concentrate. Make sure it is clean and organised. Superfluous objects distract us. It is best to limit your workspace to the essential tools you may actually need for your job. A clean environment helps you to concentrate.
Many studies also point to the support of greenery and flowers, which can add variety to your office and workstation. The colour green always supports your concentration and focus. Also remember to ventilate the room. This is a method that works well in everyday life and is practised even in early childhood education. This often takes care of problems with concentration and creativity, and even sleepiness often occurs. So if you want to improve an aspect of your focus, rely on greenery and a well-ventilated place for your work. This works and is very effective.
A comfortable chair, preferably with adjustment, is important in your workstation. This will not only make for enjoyable work, but also for potential health aspects. Wrong posture when sitting at a desk all day can cause curvature of your spine and many other negative effects. If you know that you use certain items frequently, leave them within your reach – this will speed up your work and not cause you to become distracted from the duty at hand. The moment we leave, our concentration drops considerably, and then often back to the original ceiling.
Guarantee yourself breaks at work. Each break should ultimately result in better focus and higher productivity!
Sitting in front of a laptop for long hours is not conducive to productive work. The light emitted from the screen tires your eyesight and causes tiredness. You can’t work continuously for several hours, as this is a real killer for your health and productivity. You need a rest, if only to recover a little, step away from the computer and take in a slightly different environment. Short breaks make your working day less monotonous.
Did you know that if you work at a computer you are entitled to a five-minute break after every hour worked? That’s what the Labour Code says, and it’s a great illustration of how our productivity can be negatively affected by uninterrupted work in front of a screen. It’s important to bear this in mind and really plan your breaks head-on to ensure you maximise your focus in your daily duties.
Many modern companies overlook the code and ensure a positive experience for each employee. We are well aware that there is no employee made of a slave, and so we want to make everyone in the team enjoy what they do. Many companies thus provide special relaxation areas in the office, or places to take a break from daily duties, including a chillout room that guarantees some activities.
Remember, too, that there has to be common sense in this madness and it is important to remember, however, that you are at work to… work. Many employees like to stretch their breaks a bit and thus little positive is left of their productivity. Plan your breaks, implement them, but all with your head so that it improves your productivity.
Take care of your sleep. If you don’t know how to focus, your sleep could be the solution.
Sleep plays a huge role in our lives. It regenerates us not only physically but also mentally. If you sleep enough hours, your work is efficient and you absorb knowledge faster. It is not only the length of sleep that is important, but also its quality. To fall asleep faster and easier, avoid blue light just before you fall asleep. Its presence is a message to the brain that the day is going on, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Experts recommend that 8 hours is the optimal length of sleep. Contrary to what you may think, sleeping too long is not a good thing, so it is best to find the popular golden mean in this. Again, it is extremely important to have a routine that your body gets used to very quickly. If you go to bed and get up at a similar time every day, your body will quickly read this and signal at every turn. After a while, you won’t even need an alarm clock because you’ll wake up at a certain time anyway. Effective sleep will improve your concentration and this will ultimately lead to higher productivity.
You probably know the situation when you come into the company after a very poor night’s sleep. A party has happened or simply the night turned out to be sleepless. You can’t concentrate on anything and your body is unable to function. This perfectly illustrates how your concentration can be impaired by negative sleep. Make sure you get proper sleep, it’s very important.
Physical activity the key to success in your concentration.
Physical activity has a very positive effect for the mind. The well-known saying “a sound mind in a sound body” is more than just a cliché. Systematic and well-executed training has a beneficial effect on the whole body and helps to make it more efficient. Any physical activity generates a lot of endorphins, which give you energy. It is best to exercise regularly, at least twice a week, although more exercise will have even more positive effects on your body. Physical activity is very often a springboard for your daily routine. Contrary to what you might think, your mind will be relaxed during exercise, and you will see a key difference for your body right after your workout.
We have many types of activity. Running or gym are very popular. For the first suggestion, you need virtually no equipment except comfortable shoes. You run into the field and fight with yourself. We have many gyms available in cities that offer equipment for individual exercise, but also many group classes. This is another great option for people who don’t have the right training knowledge. You work with a trainer, do specific exercises and are assured of correct training.
Sports offer a lot for everyone – tennis, volleyball, yoga or whatever. There’s something for everyone. If you don’t want to get out of your comfort zone, home exercises on a mat are also great. We live in such a time that there is a lot of factual material available with exercises at home. All you have to do is pull out this information and implement on your own mat or living room carpet. It’s no problem and a great solution. The sooner you implement activity into your life, the sooner your concentration will get to a higher level. Your body needs to be given a break from everyday life, and this will ultimately help you to focus in your daily routine. Many processes are linked.
