How to Focus on Something

In today's fast-paced modern world, focusing and concentrating on one thing at a time can sometimes seem impossible. People are constantly being exposed to a barrage of different things, whether it's loud music, email alerts, television or advertising. However, being able to focus on one thing at a time is within your reach, with a little patience and preparation.

Instructions

• 1

  Organize your life. If your life is full of excess clutter, then it is highly likely that you will be distracted and as a result, have difficulty in focusing on one thing at a time. If your workspace looks like a disaster site with countless miscellaneous papers, memos and envelopes, then it is no surprise that you are having problems with concentration. Minimize the clutter in your life.

• 2

  Go somewhere where people cannot interrupt you. Sometimes loud and busy environments can be counterproductive when it comes to focus, whether in a working or home atmosphere. If you are surrounded by people, consider going to a quiet and small workspace, whether it's an unused conference room or unoccupied bedroom. If you feel that you are "unreachable," it could help to greatly increase your ability to focus.

• 3

  Restrict your information. Life can be an information overload, from social networking sites and email inboxes to television. To focus your life and to improve your overall concentration skills, it can help greatly to limit your sources of information. Cut down on the amount of time you spend surfing social networking sites and blogs. Reduce the amount of television you watch every night.

• 4

  Reduce noise. Noise can be a great barrier when it comes to focusing on something. Achieving a sharp level of focus can take upwards of 15 minutes, so it is important to try to create a quiet and consistent environment for yourself. Turn off your cell phone. Close the door. Shut the windows so you don't even hear the birds outside.

• 5

  Exercise patience. When you're trying to focus on one thing, it can be extremely difficult to overcome the urge to just go off and do something else. Concentration can get really tiring, really fast. Understand that focus doesn't always come instantly. It takes practice. Do not allow yourself to abandon what you are focusing on, and you most likely will hit some big inspiration or find yourself in a rhythmic flow of productive work.

• 6

  Do not multitask. Focusing on one thing at a time involves just that - only one thing. Although it is often expected that people will be able to multitask, it actually can be counterproductive. If you jump rapidly from one idea or task to another, it can train your mind to be both mentally restless and inattentive. Sharp focus requires your undivided attention.

• 7

  Give yourself a reward. Provide yourself with an incentive to focus. Before you begin working, determine how you wish to be rewarded, whether it's by lounging on the couch and watching television for two hours or indulging in your favorite dessert. The more motivation you have to complete a task, the better your focus will be.

• 8

  Divide up your task. If you split a task up into segments, it will make it seem significantly less intimidating. You will be able to dive into the task with a lot more positivity if you don't think of it as scary or unachievable.