2 answers
Aubrey
Student
Kuna, Idaho
1
Question
Updated
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What can I do to stay focused on one task at a time when I get distracted by my to-do lists?
I'm a senior in high school in Idaho. I plan on double majoring in child development and agribusiness to open an agriculturally based childcare center. I'm trying to balance work, class, scholarships, college applications, and FFA. It all gets really overwhelming and I can't seem to get myself to focus on one thing at a time.
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2 answers
Yami Rodriguez
Human Resources
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Yami’s Answer
Hi Aubrey! An agriculturally based childcare center sounds really cool! What you’re juggling is a lot, and the fact that you’re already planning your future so clearly says a ton about your drive. Feeling overwhelmed by it all is normal and just means your brain is trying to carry too many open tabs at once. I often feel like I try to take on too many things at once as well and get easily distracted. Because of this I've learned a few tricks that have helped me stay focused.
1. Time-box your tasks - When I have five big things floating around, I sometimes can’t focus on any of them or don't know where to start. So I’ll give myself 30–45 minutes for one task, set a timer, and tell myself, “You only have to focus until this timer’s up.” I've noticed it takes the pressure off and keeps me from bouncing around.
2. Break things down into smaller tasks - Instead of telling myself to “finish scholarship application,” I’ll break it into tiny pieces (e.g., pick the scholarship, read the prompt, outline 3 ideas, write the intro, etc). When a task looks small, it suddenly feels more doable. And every check mark gives your brain a tiny dopamine boost (instant relief) and can help you stay focused. Using a to-do list is really helpful here since it helps you to breakdown your tasks/projects and visualize it all.
1. Time-box your tasks - When I have five big things floating around, I sometimes can’t focus on any of them or don't know where to start. So I’ll give myself 30–45 minutes for one task, set a timer, and tell myself, “You only have to focus until this timer’s up.” I've noticed it takes the pressure off and keeps me from bouncing around.
2. Break things down into smaller tasks - Instead of telling myself to “finish scholarship application,” I’ll break it into tiny pieces (e.g., pick the scholarship, read the prompt, outline 3 ideas, write the intro, etc). When a task looks small, it suddenly feels more doable. And every check mark gives your brain a tiny dopamine boost (instant relief) and can help you stay focused. Using a to-do list is really helpful here since it helps you to breakdown your tasks/projects and visualize it all.
Thank you so much for the tips! I just tried them and it worked great!
Aubrey
Justin Connor
CAT Insurance Director
4
Answers
Broomfield, Colorado
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Just a small tip that has worked well for me... If you are trying to work on a specific task (task #1) and find yourself getting pulled away to work on something else (task #2), as long as task #2 is also something you need to get done, let yourself work on that task until completion rather than trying to pull yourself back to focusing on task #1. Work task #2 until it is done and then go back to working on task #1. If you get distracted or diverted again, take the same approach, allowing yourself to complete a new task rather than spending all of your time pulling yourself back and forth between two areas of focus. Never let yourself get more than "once removed" from the original task until it is completed though. This obviously takes for granted that you have a list (perhaps mental, but better physical) of tasks to be completed for the day/week/month. Hope this helps!