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How do you stay focus when you are feeling distracted?
For example; I am working on an assignment but I am tempted to touch my phone or I get distracted by others.
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6 answers
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Doc’s Answer
We've all been there Faith. even with the best intentions of staying on task, we all still catch ourselves scrolling through social media when we should be working on our projects. We can't help but grab our cell phone the moment we hear a notification, and then there's email. If we aren't checking our phones every five minutes, we worry we might miss something import.
TURN OFF ALERTS
Constant notifications and text messages are every college student's enemy. Put your phone on silent or in "Do Not Disturb" mode, and close unnecessary tabs on your computer. If you need the Internet, keep one tab open. You can fight online distractions by blocking or hiding time-wasting websites and apps.
TAKE SMALLER BITES
Break down your work into smaller tasks. Defeat procrastination by breaking a large project into small pieces. It's easier to motivate yourself to do something in smaller tasks rather than jumping into a huge one. If you're having a difficult time studying or getting work done, break up your time effectively. Try giving yourself a 10-minute break for every 45–50 minutes of work you do. Studies show that taking breaks can help you retain information and increase productivity.
USE HEADPHONES
If you're working in a noisy environment, use noise-canceling headphones. Listening to music through earbuds can also tune out distracting noises like people talking too loudly or construction work. Often, though, music with lyrics can be too distracting. Researchers suggest listening to classical or instrumental music to improve concentration.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Find the right place to do work, some students work best with a little background noise, while others need complete quiet. Get to know your work style and the type of atmosphere you prefer. Are you the kind of person who works better in silence at the library? Or do you prefer the campus coffee shop with ambient noise? Try a few different spaces and see how each study session works out.
Hope this was helpful Faith
TURN OFF ALERTS
Constant notifications and text messages are every college student's enemy. Put your phone on silent or in "Do Not Disturb" mode, and close unnecessary tabs on your computer. If you need the Internet, keep one tab open. You can fight online distractions by blocking or hiding time-wasting websites and apps.
TAKE SMALLER BITES
Break down your work into smaller tasks. Defeat procrastination by breaking a large project into small pieces. It's easier to motivate yourself to do something in smaller tasks rather than jumping into a huge one. If you're having a difficult time studying or getting work done, break up your time effectively. Try giving yourself a 10-minute break for every 45–50 minutes of work you do. Studies show that taking breaks can help you retain information and increase productivity.
USE HEADPHONES
If you're working in a noisy environment, use noise-canceling headphones. Listening to music through earbuds can also tune out distracting noises like people talking too loudly or construction work. Often, though, music with lyrics can be too distracting. Researchers suggest listening to classical or instrumental music to improve concentration.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Find the right place to do work, some students work best with a little background noise, while others need complete quiet. Get to know your work style and the type of atmosphere you prefer. Are you the kind of person who works better in silence at the library? Or do you prefer the campus coffee shop with ambient noise? Try a few different spaces and see how each study session works out.
Hope this was helpful Faith
Updated
Marti’s Answer
It depends on the time of day and how distracted I am. Sometimes all I need to do is put my phone in a different room or in my bag for 30 minutes. Then I take a break and check my phone for 5 minutes, take a quick 5-minute walk and set an alarm for another 30 minutes ... rinse and repeat until I finish what I'm working on.
Sometimes I use the Headspace App to listen to one of my favorite focus and concentration playlists like John Legend's 60 min Focus Music.
When I'm having a very difficult time concentrating, I'll take a longer walk to clear my head and shake-off the distractions.
Taking breaks every 50 - 60 minutes helps me stay productive and energized.
Sometimes I use the Headspace App to listen to one of my favorite focus and concentration playlists like John Legend's 60 min Focus Music.
When I'm having a very difficult time concentrating, I'll take a longer walk to clear my head and shake-off the distractions.
Taking breaks every 50 - 60 minutes helps me stay productive and energized.
Updated
Sundar’s Answer
Get organized with a to-do list
Silence alerts and keep open Internet tabs to a minimum
Break big projects into small pieces
Use music and headphones to cut down noise
Clean up and organize your work-space
Silence alerts and keep open Internet tabs to a minimum
Break big projects into small pieces
Use music and headphones to cut down noise
Clean up and organize your work-space
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Faith!
One good way to focus is to minimize the risks of distractions.
Phones (especially specific apps) are made to aim to control your attention. You could take your phone and hide it far, far away. (In a drawer, cabinet, under your bed, etc).
Also, I want to point out that it's near impossible to stay completely focused 100% all the time 24/7.
The longest I'm able to focus without thinking about something random is 20 minutes. (Yes... I timed myself).
Some people can't focus longer than 20 mins either, while other's can enter a flow state.
Either way, you *will* benefit from taking a break.
On breaks, give your brain either a simple activity do or rest.
You can check out these videos for ways to recharge/refocus your brain. These all come from a variety of perspectives. See if these tips can work for you:
How to Give Your Brain a Break | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30IpveNICwU
How to Get Stuff Done [ADHD]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLkOZhROvA4
Better Alternatives to Pomodoro | https://youtu.be/olX0mXl1B9s
Sending you support as you find new ways to focus :)
One good way to focus is to minimize the risks of distractions.
Phones (especially specific apps) are made to aim to control your attention. You could take your phone and hide it far, far away. (In a drawer, cabinet, under your bed, etc).
Also, I want to point out that it's near impossible to stay completely focused 100% all the time 24/7.
The longest I'm able to focus without thinking about something random is 20 minutes. (Yes... I timed myself).
Some people can't focus longer than 20 mins either, while other's can enter a flow state.
Either way, you *will* benefit from taking a break.
On breaks, give your brain either a simple activity do or rest.
You can check out these videos for ways to recharge/refocus your brain. These all come from a variety of perspectives. See if these tips can work for you:
How to Give Your Brain a Break | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30IpveNICwU
How to Get Stuff Done [ADHD]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLkOZhROvA4
Better Alternatives to Pomodoro | https://youtu.be/olX0mXl1B9s
Sending you support as you find new ways to focus :)
Updated
Luke’s Answer
Staying focused can be challenging, especially when there are distractions around you. Here are some tips to help you stay focused when you are feeling distracted:
Create a distraction-free environment: Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible by working in a quiet, organized environment with minimal noise and visual distractions.
Use the Pomodoro Technique: This technique involves breaking your work into 25-minute intervals with five-minute breaks in between. During each interval, focus on your work and avoid distractions, and during each break, give yourself permission to take a quick break or check your phone.
Turn off notifications: Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, so you are not tempted to check them while you are working.
Set goals: Set specific goals for what you want to accomplish during your work session, and focus on completing those tasks before allowing yourself any distractions.
Use apps: There are apps available that can help you stay focused by blocking certain websites or apps during certain times, or by providing timed work sessions and breaks.
Take breaks: Taking regular breaks can help you stay focused and productive. Use your breaks to get up and move around, stretch, or meditate.
Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness by focusing on your breath and your present moment experience. This can help you stay centered and focused, even when distractions are present.
Remember, staying focused is a skill that takes practice. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself getting distracted - simply acknowledge the distraction and refocus on your work. With practice, you can improve your ability to stay focused and be more productive.
Create a distraction-free environment: Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible by working in a quiet, organized environment with minimal noise and visual distractions.
Use the Pomodoro Technique: This technique involves breaking your work into 25-minute intervals with five-minute breaks in between. During each interval, focus on your work and avoid distractions, and during each break, give yourself permission to take a quick break or check your phone.
Turn off notifications: Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, so you are not tempted to check them while you are working.
Set goals: Set specific goals for what you want to accomplish during your work session, and focus on completing those tasks before allowing yourself any distractions.
Use apps: There are apps available that can help you stay focused by blocking certain websites or apps during certain times, or by providing timed work sessions and breaks.
Take breaks: Taking regular breaks can help you stay focused and productive. Use your breaks to get up and move around, stretch, or meditate.
Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness by focusing on your breath and your present moment experience. This can help you stay centered and focused, even when distractions are present.
Remember, staying focused is a skill that takes practice. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself getting distracted - simply acknowledge the distraction and refocus on your work. With practice, you can improve your ability to stay focused and be more productive.
Updated
Trudi’s Answer
If I want to spend time on my phone or another activity besides work, I will give myself some reward time. For example, if I can finish writing this letter, I will give myself 5 minutes of phone time to reset my brain.