How to Improve Focus & Minimize Distraction

Are you always distracted? Struggling to focus on the task at hand?

Whether you are struggling to focus on your work or can’t study or can’t seem to just concentrate on whatever task lays in front of you, you aren’t alone! Surprisingly, about 70% of workers claim they are distracted on the job, costing companies thousands - if not millions - of dollars.

And here’s the thing…

Every time you are distracted, it takes time to refocus and resume the activity you’re working on. So you don’t just waste time with the distraction. You also lose time getting back on task.

How Can You Improve Focus & Minimize Distractions?

Let’s take a closer look!

1. Put Away & Turn Off the Distractions

Are you constantly reaching for your phone? Don’t set it down near you. Put it out of arm’s reach. Or better yet, just turn it off until the task you are working on is completed.

The same goes for T.V. or any other distractions. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.

2. Meditate

Did you know that meditation can help improve your focus and concentration? Try starting with a few minutes each day. It will be tough at first, but practice makes perfect.

Here’s a mini-meditation you can do right now: Set a timer for 1 minute. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Inhale, then exhale. As you exhale, count 1. On your next exhale, count 2. Do this until you reach 10, then count back down. Continue until the timer goes off.

For meditation, consistency is key. If you only do it every now and again, you won’t necessarily improve. You have to be doing this each day to get better (and trust us, it works!).

Read this: How to Develop a Habit of Daily Meditation

3. Plan Out Your Day & Prioritize

Maybe you’re distracted because you don’t know where to even start. This can easily be solved by creating a to-do list and a plan for each day. What do you need to get done? What should come first?

A great trick here is to do the tasks that are stressing you out the most first. This will make everything else that much easier.

4. Set Small Goals

If the tasks seem too big and again, you don’t know where to start, this can derail you from getting anything done.

Break your tasks down into smaller goals. By breaking these tasks down into steps, you can ease into it and you’ll know exactly where you need to start.

5. Get Enough Sleep

When you don’t get enough sleep, it’s much easier to become distracted or lose focus. While getting work done is important, don’t let it get in the way of your sleep schedule. Sleep is the key to your day-to-day performance - and it might also be the crucial piece missing to help you achieve the focus you need.

Required Reading: Sleep Debt - The Consequences of Sleep Loss on Your Mind & Body

6. Take Breaks

Breaks may seem like the last thing you need when you’re trying to stay on task. Yet, they are so so important! Try to take a quick break every half an hour. You can even use the Pomodoro Technique to do so.

The Pomodoro Technique involves setting a timer for 25 minutes and then taking 5-minute breaks at those intervals. You can also download apps that work in a similar fashion. Countless people worldwide have claimed this method works the best for them, especially when they just can’t focus.

7. Use Visualization Techniques

Imagine yourself doing the task, It’s really that simple. This might help you get in the “right” mood for it. It can also give you an idea of what doing that task might actually look like.

If you work best in physical manifestation, try a vision board or a journal.

8. Delay a Reward

Ever notice how you work harder and get everything done when you have somewhere to be at say 5 pm? You know you have to get this work done to be able to do something that you love, so you get it done.

Save a reward for when you are done your work. For instance, this could be delaying a special treat or food or not allowing yourself to play that game you love or read that book you get lost in until you are done with what you need to get done.

9. Move on from What You Don’t Know

If you are stuck on a particular task, go onto the next one. You can always come back to it. You will feel more productive and you won’t be held back by one simple hang up.

Learn to Focus!

Sometimes, it’s all about just learning to focus or concentrate. Perhaps you just never have been good at it but that may be because you’ve never been taught how to do so. Now is the time.

Try different techniques or methods. Narrow in on what your distractions are and eliminate them. Take the pressure off and ensure you take enough breaks. You can absolutely turn your focus around and start being that productive force of nature you know you are!

Want some tips on how to make working at home a little more productive? Check out this article next.