Concentrate, Concentrate!

Today is my last day before a break from work and I need to get a couple of things out of the door before I go. So I’m posting this before I start to actually concentrate because I need to get down to it and not be distracted.

This year I have already looked at my brain and what I need to do to maintain its health. This has been mostly good and I’ve managed to increase my overall energy levels too. I still do things that I know aren’t good for my brain, I haven’t managed to turn myself into a brain ninja just yet but I’m getting there.

One of the areas where I still struggle is the area of concentration. It’s just too easy to all myself to be interrupted and very difficult to create the place of focus. It’s not as if I don’t know how to concentrate, it’s just not something that comes naturally.

Lifehack.org has 10 Tips for Razor Sharp Concentration and today I am going to follow them all.

1. Cut off the noise – the phone is on silent as are all the other distraction. I’m listening to quiet classical music which helps concentration.
2. Structure your environment – my environment is away from distractions, apart from the mess on my desk which I am about to tidy up.
3. Clarify objectives – my next task is to plan the things that I need to get done, and only the things I need to get done.
4. Divide blobs – my planning will be quite detailed because one or two of the things are going to require my concentration.
5. Know the rules – I’m setting the rules on these tasks.
6. Set a deadline – I have a deadline and it’s 17:00. I don’t believe in working late to get things done.
7. Break down roadblocks – If there are any roadblocks they’ll probably need to wait until I’m back.
8. Isolate yourself – I’m working from home today and everyone else is out.
9. Healthy body, sharper mind – already been to the gym and had my fruit smoothie. Unfortunately one of the tasks for today is to meet a couple of colleagues for lunch which will impact my concentration this afternoon.
10. Be patient – not my strongest point, but the planning process helps.

Let’s see if it works.