How to Train Your Attention Span

Life is filled with distractions that can cause you to lose concentration when working, especially if your project is dull or tedious. Thankfully, your concentration skills are not set in stone; rather, it is a muscle that can strengthened and trained. Mindfulness is a practice that places importance on being in the moment, which reduces your mind's tendency to lose focus. As you practice mindfulness exercises, your attention span will wane less.

Instructions

• 1

  Tell yourself "Be here now" when your mind begins to wander. The phrase refocuses your attention on what is important without criticizing yourself for allowing your mind to wander.

• 2

  Turn off music, television and other electronic devices that interfere with your concentration. In addition to audible distractions, your workspace must be conducive to working effectively. An uncomfortable chair or poor lighting reduces your ability to stay focused and decreases work productivity.

• 3

  Take a break. Working on a project for long stretches of time causes fatigue. By taking a short 5 to 10 minute break to stretch or read something different from your work, your mind stays active.

• 4

  Reward yourself. A small reward after completing a difficult task provides an incentive for staying focused.