8 Lesser Known Ways To Effectively Improve Your Focus
Written by Michelle Ong | September 29, 2024 | Productivity
Discover eight lesser known ways to sharpen your focus and enhance productivity.
Brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine, the biological wiring of our attention-related networks, plus factors like sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress, all affect how well we can focus. Early experiences and our environment also shape these skills, which explains why some people seem to focus better than others.
If you feel like you’re falling short, don’t worry—focus is like a muscle you can train. By practicing regularly, you can improve. Let’s dive into eight lesser-known ways to boost your focus.
Know Your Why
“Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.” – Wilfred Peterson
You might wonder what knowing your purpose, also known as your ikigai, has to do with improving focus. Staying focused isn’t just about using techniques—it’s about knowing your “why.”
When you’re clear about your goals, it becomes easier to prioritize tasks and avoid distractions. Each decision is guided by whether it aligns with your purpose, keeping you on track.
By asking, “Is what I’m doing right now helping me reach my goals?” you stay motivated and make steady progress toward the outcomes you want in life.
If you’re curious about what ikigai is and how to define yours, check out my related posts for more insights.
Stimulate Your Brain
Understanding how the brain influences focus helps individuals apply strategies to improve concentration, boost productivity, and enhance well-being. To enhance your cognitive function and focus, engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, brain games, and learning new skills. These activities can improve your ability to pay attention and think flexibly over time.
If you’re looking to boost your brain power, you might check out this post for some effective strategies.
Panoramic Vision
According to Stanford neurobiologist Andrew Huberman, sometimes, if you struggle to focus, it might be because you’re paying too much attention to one thing and missing everything else around you. And the solution is called “open monitoring,” or developing “panoramic vision”. This involves dilating your gaze instead of just focusing on one thing. This can help reduce momentary lapses in attention, also known as tuning out, and keep your attention from drifting.
Interoception
Interoception is how our bodies sense what’s happening inside—like your feelings, breathing, and overall internal state. When you meditate with your eyes closed, it helps you connect with these sensations more easily.
Dr. Andrew Huberman’s research even shows that just 17 minutes of this practice can rewire your brain for better focus. The best part? You can feel a difference after just one session!
Non-Sleep Deep Rest
To sharpen your focus, consider incorporating NSDR (non-sleep deep rest) into your routine. NSDR involves entering a state of relaxation and rejuvenation without following traditional sleep patterns.
This can be achieved through practices like meditation, mindfulness, or deep breathing exercises. During NSDR, your body undergoes processes that promote healing and replenishment, leading to reduced stress levels and improved cognitive function.
By engaging in NSDR, you give your mind and body a chance to recharge and refresh, even when you can’t get a full night’s sleep. This revitalization can enhance your focus and overall well-being, providing a valuable alternative to traditional sleep for boosting productivity and mental clarity.
Daily Logging
“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” – David Allen
Writing things down is a great way to clear our minds and make decisions more easily. Daily logging, a combination of rapid logging and interstitial journaling, offers a powerful approach. Let’s unpack what they are.
Rapid logging allows you to quickly jot down a few thoughts after completing a task, aiding in decluttering your mind and enhancing decision-making.
Interstitial journaling involves using a journal to track your work and select your next task, minimizing interruptions and maximizing attention. This method helps prevent unnecessary context switching, saving time and energy. By recording your plans in a journal, you can stay focused on your priorities and avoid being distracted by urgent matters. Simply noting the current time, what you just accomplished, and what you plan to do next keeps you on track and maintains your focus.
Thinking of starting a journal but unsure how? Check out my post on my journaling journey for some inspiration!
Hemingway Effect
The Hemingway Effect, also known as useful interruptions in a task, involves intentionally pausing your workday in the middle of an idea that you’ve already fleshed out to some extent. By doing this, you have a clear direction for what to do next when you resume work the following day.
This approach reduces the activation energy required to get started again and minimizes procrastination. Knowing that you’ve already laid the groundwork for the task makes it feel like completion is within reach, boosting motivation to continue and complete the task.
For more ideas on reducing procrastination and staying motivated, you can check out a helpful article here.
Regular Breaks
You might be surprised to learn that taking regular breaks can actually help you focus better and longer. For those of us who struggle to step away from our tasks—like me, who tends to work non-stop for hours—it’s important to recognize that this isn’t great for productivity. Our bodies aren’t machines; we need to pause and recharge.
If you think working non-stop shows discipline or feel guilty when your focus wavers, remember that it’s normal to lose concentration. Regular breaks are crucial! Your brain needs downtime to stay sharp. Try the Pomodoro method: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break to refresh your mind.
When you take breaks, avoid activities like watching TV or scrolling through your phone. These things can actually make it harder for you to focus when you get back to work. Instead, take short walks, meditate, or just doing nothing for a bit.
You might want to check out this article for tips on managing your time better and boosting productivity.
Check out the Pinterest pins below for more articles on improving productivity.
Apply These Methods
How many of these focus-boosting tips did you already know, and which ones are you excited to try? Remember, the key to seeing real results is to combine several of these strategies and weave them into your daily routine.
Start small and gradually build these habits, and you’ll notice a difference in your focus and productivity. Don’t wait—begin today, and watch how these tips transform your ability to concentrate!
I hope you found this article helpful! Pin and share it with your family and friends so they can benefit from it too.
If you’re looking for more tips, be sure to check out this post on proven strategies that can supercharge your focus!
