How to improve focus
When do you feel like you’re truly tuned in to what you’re doing? It could be while running, reading, cooking, working at the office or spending time with your family. Regardless of what you’re doing during these times, you’re in an extremely focused state when you’re centered on a task that excites you.
What if you could feel like that more often while doing different tasks? What if you could learn how to improve focus, even when doing something you didn’t particularly like? You can – but you must decide right now to throw away distractions and make improving focus an essential part of your daily routine.
The importance of focus and concentration
You can reap many rewards when you learn how to improve focus and concentration. You’ll accomplish a task much faster when you can give it your undivided attention, leaving you with extra time at the end of each day to devote to your other interests. The work you’ll complete on a task you’ve focused on will be of higher quality than it would be if you divide your attention between that task and something else.
Others will take notice as you produce better work more efficiently. You might have promotions lined up before you know it or, if you’re running your own business, additional work from existing clients or new work from those who like what they see.
What area of your life could use a massive improvement? Whether it’s your career, personal relationships, health or something else, learning how to improve focus on what really matters makes all the difference.
8 tips for better focus and concentration
Everyone has the same amount of hours in a day. The difference between those who have achieved their dreams and those who can’t seem to get ahead is that successful people have discovered how to improve concentration – and you can too.
1. Overcome limiting beliefs
When was the last time you didn’t attempt something because you thought it would be too challenging? When did you last tell yourself that you were unable to do something because you thought you lacked a certain quality? These are limiting beliefs, and they prevent you from achieving your goals.
As Tony says, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” You are the product of your thoughts. When you repeatedly tell yourself you’re not smart, resourceful or capable enough to accomplish something, you turn that belief into a reality. It’s often quicker and easier to focus on negative outcomes than positive ones, but it won’t get you very far. Improving focus and concentration starts with changing your mindset. Realize that the negative thoughts you’re currently focusing on no longer serve you, and replace that negativity with a more positive narrative.
2. Visualize your outcome
Goal visualization allows you to achieve anything you want in life – and is essential to learning how to improve focus. First identify your ultimate goal. What is it that you really want to achieve? Use the Rocking Chair Test. Visualize yourself late in life, sitting in your rocking chair and telling some younger people about your incredible life. What are you happy to have accomplished? What are you sad that you never tried to achieve?
That mental image will tell you what to move toward in life. Knowing your purpose is a critical step in shifting your focus and making progress. Now start telling yourself that you’ve already achieved these goals. Act like you have that fulfilling job or that healthy relationship. Visualize it in detail – and do it every day. Concentrating on the end goal helps you use the law of attraction to manifest the success you want to achieve.
3. Break old patterns
Your thoughts can be cyclical, but you can break negative patterns. Thoughts lead to emotional patterns and these patterns determine the story we tell ourselves about what we can or cannot accomplish. The only way to create a breakthrough is to change your emotional state and rewrite your personal story. Learn how to identify negative self-talk and distracting thoughts so you can interrupt them and get back on track.
When you feel your thoughts beginning to shift to a negative or limiting place, stop them. Decide to consciously change your thought process and derail the thoughts that don’t serve you. Increase focus on the positive thoughts and visualize your outcome. Will thinking negative thoughts enable you to better achieve your purpose? No – and eliminating them is key to how to improve focus in your day.
4. Connect with your purpose
You don’t just need to know how to improve concentration when you’re feeling confident and energetic. You must create an unstoppable mindset even when you’re down – and there will always be challenging moments in life. To do this, determine what gives your life a sense of purpose, and connect everything you do back to that purpose.
The goal is to know what you want so deeply that you feel it to your core. You’re so driven to achieve your goal that you will do anything to make it happen. When you feel this way, you not only find out how to increase focus, but you will put a stop to self-sabotage and create empowering beliefs to live by.
5. Set better goals
The ultimate aim of learning how to improve focus is to be more productive so that you can achieve what you want in life. But how will you know if you’re really working more efficiently and getting more done? You need to set goals to measure how your newfound focus is positively affecting your life.
Focus on actionable strategies you can employ to be successful, such as making a Massive Action Plan (MAP). Think big, but set incremental SMART goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored within a Time frame. And don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments with your proud friends and family to reinforce your positive habits. When you have something to work toward, you’ll find it much easier to improve focus and concentration.
6. Get some exercise
If you find it difficult to concentrate due to an excess of energy, increasing your workout routine – or starting one – will trim that energy and help you improve your focus. Start small by taking a break during your workday. Go for a walk around the building if you can, or do some exercises at your desk. Getting up and moving around doesn’t just clear out any energy you may have built up while sitting still – it also refreshes your mind. You’ll find it easier to come up with solutions to problems you may be working through, and will return to your work ready to get more done.
7. Cut out distractions
It’s hard to discover how to improve focus while you’re fending off a vibrating cell phone, email notifications, chattering coworkers or the multitude of other things that demand your attention on a daily basis.
Carve out periods of time where you remove distractions from the picture. Silence your phone and put it in a pocket or drawer so you won’t see the screen. Switch off your email notifications. Put on noise-canceling headphones or shut the door to your office.
You can take things a step further and install apps that will shut off any programs you aren’t directly using for a specified amount of time. By blocking out everything that might otherwise distract you – and that includes multitasking – you’re free to pay attention to the task at hand.
8. Prime your mind
Learning how to improve focus and concentration ultimately requires discipline and a willingness to use new strategies and tactics. It’s largely going to be on you to make this happen, but certain supplements can help prime your mind and give your focus that extra boost it needs.
Energy Now™
Combines caffeine, L-theanine, vitamin C and bioflavonoids to increase your brain function and focus.*
NeuroBoost B12™
Blends folate and vitamin B12 to boost your mood and your ability to focus.*
BioEnergy Greens™
Gives your body the leafy greens and fruits it needs – which in turn pumps up your mental clarity.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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