How to focus - 7 tips to help you concentrate at home!
No matter how old you are, whether you're a student, freelancer or in full time employment, we all struggle with getting things done from time to time (or all the time). It seems like we simply can’t focus. According to research, in the last 20 years our concentration span has plummeted from 12s to around 8 seconds. Just to give you perspective, they say that the average goldfish can concentrate for around 9 seconds. How has it come to be that goldfish have more concentration power than us?
I suspect it might have something to do with the development of smartphones and our reliance on them, but also, it might have something to do with the fact that goldfish simply don’t have to deal with the same type of attention consuming tasks as us.
Either way, due to covid-19 many of us are doing our best to get things done at home, which in addition can pose its own challenges. To help you out, Love Learning Tutors have put together our top 7 tips for those who are finding it difficult to get into the flow, those who feel that they’re not being productive.
1) Break it down
Have you noticed that you’ve been dancing around starting a particular task? Some tasks may seem too big to even begin with, this is why we have the tendency to do the small, menial tasks, leaving the most important one to last. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA! Get cracking with the most important tasks first. If it’s big, spend a few minutes breaking it down into more digestible chunks, then ATTACK!
For example, if you have to write a report…
· Research (read and underline)
· Gather key information
· Find your key message
· Essay plan
· Write it out, paragraph by paragraph
· Add references
· Proofread and tweak
Not so scary now right?
2) Breathe
Before starting, take a few seconds to get your mind in the right mindset. Personally, before doing brain-work, I like to run or do some exercise (for fun exercise you can do at home, click here ). This means that by the time I start working/studying, I have ironed out all the kinks in my body and have lots of oxygenated blood running to my brain. Another great option is to take a few minutes to breath. “Breathe?”, you ask. “Really? Is this really going to make a difference?” Yes, 100%! You can do this alone, or by following this counter for 1 minute of equal breathing if you’re not feeling the yogi/zen/meditation stuff.
3) Stimulating Smells
There are a few types of aromas that have been proven to help you focus, for example, peppermint and rosemary. You may choose to have a plant near your workspace, burn the essential oil or make a cup of peppermint tea. According to research, peppermint can increase your concentration by 8 percent. Pep me up peppermint!
4) Chew
It sounds strange that we’re recommending chewing gum, but it has a double-whammy positive effect on your concentration. The mint perks you up and the chewing action ensures that you’re breathing properly. Often when we’re on the computer we do automatic, shallow surface breathing, which means we’re not getting as much oxygen around our bodies as we could
5) Switch off your phone
Clear your workspace and remove all distractions. Turn your phone off or put it in another room. You’re only cheating yourself by using it. You can use your phone during the breaks. Whatever message comes, it’s probably not going to be so urgent that it can’t wait 25min.
Also, make sure apps and websites that you gravitate towards are also switched off on your laptop.
6) Concentrate in bursts
We love the the Pomodoro Technique at Love Learning Tutors. The Pomodoro Technique involves concentrating as much as you can for 25 min (it’s very achievable). Then, when your 5 break time comes around, step away from your desk and do something else, somewhere else. If you stay on your laptop doing internet shopping your brain will not register it as a real break.
7) No Lyrics
Some people like to have music on in the background, some people like TV. I have been guilty of working with background TV for many years, and for many years I would tell people that this somehow improved my concentration. In truth, I only realised how much my concentration could improve once I let go of my crutches and switched everything off. Now, if I can’t bear the silence, I listen to one of Spotify’s focus playlists. Many of tracks don’t have lyrics, so your mind will stay on task for longer. I personally really enjoy film music, it can be epic. Spotify’s Cinematic Chillout playlist is a fave!
Adjusting to social distancing and quarantine life has brought about its challenges. We are creatures of habit so building a new routine is crucial. By doing the aforementioned steps, your brain will know that it’s GO-Time when yousit in front of the laptop or your paper. Let’s get it done!
We’ve also created a study group on Facebook to learn together, answer questions as well as to conduct live sessions with various innovative and creative individuals from all walks of life, get a sneak peek into their lives and what drives them!
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