Focus and concentration are very important in almost every aspect of our lives. No goal, however small or big can be achieved without it. Our energies flow wherever our focus flows. Our reality is decided by our level of focus. When life gets blurry, the only thing left to do is to refocus.

We live in a time where we are constantly surrounded by noise and distractions. There is always some notification waiting to ruin our focus. With low attention spans on the rise, remaining focused can be a very tricky process. But, it is very important nonetheless. 

What is Focus?

Being focused, in simple words, is the act of concentrating on one activity without being disturbed by noise or any other kind of distractions. Being focused is linked with having strong will power and the ability of regulating attention on various things. 

It means occupying the mind with attention and concentration. It means making conscious and serious efforts from being distracted. It takes a lot of hard work and patience to achieve razor sharp focus. Therefore, maintaining focus can prove to be a Herculean task. 

Why Do We Have Such Poor Focus?

Is it possible for us to pay attention to someone talking for more than fifteen minutes? Do we have the patience for slow Wi-Fi? Can we meditate for ten minutes, without our minds spinning with all kinds of random thoughts?

Probably not. 

But, this doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. We live in an era of constant connectivity and it seems to be doing us more harm than good. The services that were invented with noble intentions to save our time and make us more productive are unfortunately, doing the opposite. Isn’t it ironic? 

So many examples around us support this claim. The television, Internet, smartphone. You  name it. The TV was infamously called ‘The Idiot Box’ for a reason. All of these amenities only distract us and the noise nullifies the usefulness. We usually pull out our smartphones to Google even the most basic queries. 

Distractions eventually lead to procrastination and the attitude of, “I will probably just do it later.” Important, time-consuming tasks are ignored. 

Therefore, being a part of this constantly connected world, distraction is just a ping away, and this does not bode well for our levels of focus and concentration. Our minds are not made for such overwhelming levels of sensory overload. This situation is indeed proving to be a bane, rather than a boon. 

How To Improve Focus?

The wide reach of the Internet and other devices cannot be denied. We live in this world now and we have to keep up with changes, as it is the only constant. But, we should not lose our focus due to that.

Focus is an indispensable part of success. Whether it is staying productive or getting back in shape- it is required. Ultimately, it is a practice which only gets better with time; just like any other habit.

Read on to know to improve your focus. 

1. Take a step back and think about your current levels of focus. If you feel that you need to make changes, then taking control of your situation is the way to go. Access your habits and the way you manage time carefully. If you feel that you lose track of what you are doing and catch yourself daydreaming, then it might be the time to make some changes. 

   
   

2. Have clarity about your goals and tasks. Before you begin, visualise what you are going to do. By doing so, you can save a lot of time and get a lot of done.

   
   

3. Get rid of distractions. Consciously, keep your phone away and cut out every possibility of being distracted. Turn the TV off and prepare your mind to concentrate on the task at hand.

   
   

4. Utilise apps like Screen Time, that track your phone and Internet usage. This information will help you recognise where most of your time is being used, and can help you cut back and budget your time.

   
   

5. Set a mood. Clear your desk and organise your tasks in an order of most importance to least importance. An organised desk means an organised mind. Fewer distractions means a calm and relaxed mood, which contributes towards better focus. 

   
   

6. Practice meditation and mindfulness. Doing these practices regularly are proven to reduce stress and improve focus. It becomes easier to focus when you are calm. It cuts out all the unnecessary noise.

   
   

7. Remember to take breaks. Remember to do this as focusing for a long period of time can be tiring. Switching your attention to something different can be relaxing and improve overall focus. 

   
   

8. Try and get exercise. Regular physical exercise improves blood circulation and can regulate mood. Everything seems possible when you are in a good and positive mood.

These are very simple steps that we can take in our everyday lives. It is only about a little bit of self-discipline and self-control. Easy breezy lemon squeezy!

Conclusion

In order to achieve goals, having good levels of focus and concentration is very crucial. It is literally no other way to function. No task is daunting when you have mastered the ability to focus. Learning how to focus is the need of the hour, especially now when we are constantly surrounded by distractions. But, the good news is, where there is a will, there is a way.