One of the most important things to have while you are working towards your goal is concentration. This can be hard to do, especially when others around you are convincing you to have fun, or to do it later. By following these 7 strategic tips, you will learn how to overcome the concentration obstacle within minutes.

1. Music

When athletes are about to play their sport, you see them a lot of times with headphones on, and a ‘don’t bother me right now’ look on their face. This is what they do to get focused. They are listening to that song that pumps them up to get them motivated to do their best. It provides them with that winning feeling. Music is known to offer different emotions to certain situations. Use it as an advantage to build your concentration, while preparing to do your best work.

2. Ritual

Having a ritual signals to your mind that you’re about to go into that concentration ‘zone’. Most writers have a ritual they perform before they begin to write. For me, I have a cup of hot tea, while sitting in my favorite chair, doing a puzzle. This gets my mind and body to settle, so that I can sink into writer’s mode. Exploring different rituals can help you naturally ease into your concentration.The great thing about rituals is you can customize them to your benefit!

“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.” – LL Cool J

3. Get In A Good Space

Do you find that you do your best work at the kitchen table or on the living room floor? Lying on your bed or at a desk? Dim lights or sunlight? Your work space contributes a lot to your concentration. If you’re not comfortable where you are, your work could suffer, or not exist at all. Find a space that is suitable to you, but not too comfortable. You want to be able to produce awesome work, not drift off to sleep.

4. Remove All Distractions

Cell phone notifications, or anything that makes you look up when it goes off, remove it or silence it. Various noises interrupts your thinking and your ability to get in the ‘zone’. What can easily take an hour will take 2 hours or more, if you don’t remove anticipated distractions. Distractions take up precious time that could have been used working on your task. Starting over and attempting to get back in the ‘zone’ will be difficult after a distraction has occurred. Get rid of them before you dive into your work.

5. Begin

As simple as it sounds, it’s probably the hardest thing to do. Just begin. Whatever your task is, sit down (or stand up, depending on what the task is) and start. After you begin, you should experience a ‘flow’ in what you’re doing. You’ll be performing your task at a great level, without wanting to stop. The only drawback is that it may not work all of the time, but you won’t know until you begin. The more you follow these tips, the better chances you have of getting into your ‘flow’ every time.  

6. Use Your Emotional Energy

Concentration takes mental energy. Your emotions play a big role in how you concentrate. When you are mad, sad, anxious, or happy, that’s emotional energy. Depending on the type of task you are doing, you can easily channel that energy into your concentration. A songwriter creates their best love song after a break up. That’s using emotional energy to your advantage. Instead of sitting there with all of that energy bouncing around in your mind and body, make it work for you –  ‘concentrate’ that energy towards your task.

For example, if you are mad or stressed out, you can channel that energy into your exercise routine. If you are happy or just received good news, channel that energy into studying for an exam or practicing chess. It’s simply focusing your emotional energy, to enhance the outcome of your goal.

“The biggest challenge is to stay focused. It’s to have the discipline when there are so many competing things.” – Alexa Hirschfeld

7. Mindset

Just like you should get in a good space to improve your concentration, you also have to be in your good mind. This means quieting the negative chatter in your head. Whenever we’re faced with a task, self-doubt creeps into our thoughts. Whether it’s a critical voice or just plain fear, you have the power to turn those judgmental ideas around. You know you can do it and you can do it well. Don’t doubt your own abilities – there are enough people who do that already. Be positive and concentrate on working towards your unlimited potential.

There are many methods that can contribute to gaining and maintaining your concentration. Whether it’s music, a ritual, or just learning how to start, find what works for you. Using these tips will help you concentrate more efficiently, while supporting the task at hand. Allow your ability to concentrate grow you closer towards your goal!

How do you stay focused? Comment below!