How to Improve Your Focus to Up Your Game
When we’re in the zone, we feel we’re at our optimum condition for productivity and creativity. But most of the time, we’re just functioning at our “normal” levels, sometimes even below what we perceive is acceptable. And because we want to function at our peak, we end up trying too hard and constantly pressuring ourselves to get to that point. Alas, in almost all the cases we try, it doesn’t happen and we just end up even more frustrated that when we started.
There are a few tricks that you can at least give a try and see if it works for you. Note that this is not an ironclad process that will deliver results. Something that works for one person does not necessarily work for everyone else. However, if you keep an open mind, you may just end up realizing that there are a few things you can tweak to your advantage and find your own groove.
Take a Break
If you tend to do the same tasks over and over each day, you’ll find yourself slowly burning out. And that’s not good. The first moment you realize you’re feeling tired of what you’re doing, take a break. Find a hobby you like doing and focus on that for a couple of minutes each day. That will make all the difference. This can be anything from spending a few minutes in absolute quiet, read, paint, play a game, or tidy up a little. Whatever it is, fit this in your daily schedule. Do not take breaks for granted. Many think that this is a waste of time that you can instead spend working and being productive. However, failing to do so will not fuel you, in fact, it can drain you faster than you’re prepared to admit.
Listen to Music
Some people work more productively when they listen to classical or soft music, possibly because it relaxes them. Others like the concept of listening to dance music while they work because the rhythm makes them feel energized and realize they end up doing things faster. Others still find listening to alternative music and realize it has a positive effect on their productivity as well. So ask yourself, what’s yours? If your favorite music genre doesn’t work for you, don’t just give up on this concept. Sometimes, people find themselves unproductive when listening to what they like, possibly because it transports their minds elsewhere. But when they switch to a different genre, they find themselves working so well. Find yours.
Caffeinate
When you feel your energy is dropping, a cup of coffee or tea can perk you up just fine. If you’re not much of a coffee or tea drinker, you can try a small piece of dark chocolate instead. Phytochemicals found in coffee, tea, and chocolate can help you refocus and lift your energy. But note that you should not overdo this, remember that too much of something is bad for you.
Get a Little Sugar in You
NOTE: A LITTLE SUGAR. This isn’t actually the best tip to give, but sometimes this is all you’ll need. It’s easy to abuse sugar without you knowing it, after all, there are very few people without a sweet tooth. But sometimes, you don’t realize that your sugar levels are running so low that it’s the root cause of your declining focus and energy. A small piece of candy or sugary drink such as a glass of soda or even a popsicle can give you a quick energy boost that you need to get you back on track. But if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of using simple sugar as an energy kick, you can easily substitute this with something healthy such as a fruit smoothy or a piece of fruit. Trivia: did you know apples can wake you up better than a cup of coffee? A banana can also give you an energy boost and actually give you the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your joints healthy.
Use Ergonomic Furniture
Your table and chair might be comfortable to use, you might even be keeping them around because of sentimental reasons, but you have to realize that just because you’re so used to your furniture, doesn’t mean they’re good for you. Think about it, does your focus, creativity, productivity, and energy start declining after an hour on your chair? Ergonomic furniture is especially designed to conform to your body so that it naturally stays in optimum posture. And the longer you use an ergonomic chair and an ergonomic desk, the bigger the benefits you will reap. Maintaining good posture will allow you to avoid developing a hunch that you can never repair as you age. Your legs will not feel tired, your neck and shoulders will not feel sore, and your lower back will not feel pain when you get up after a day’s work.
The great thing about ergonomic furniture is that it has the ability to lift your mood and your energy. Sounds too outrageous? It’s true. This is simply because you won’t feel pain or discomfort while you’re working or staying on your chair for a long time. When you’re comfortable, you tend to be happy. Your energy doesn’t drain out. And if that’s not enough, here’s the bonus part: these chairs can spare you from developing depression and anxiety out of constant frustration. It might feel weird at first when you make the switch, but in a day or two, you’ll never want to part with it. And why stop there, start exploring what else in your home you can switch to maximize your ergonomic choices.
Again, keep in mind that the aforementioned are not always guaranteed to work for you (maybe except for the idea of switching to ergonomics), but it surely must give you some inkling of what you can do that may just work for you. Feel free to tweak these tips to ones you feel comfortable doing, and hopefully, soon, you’ll find yourself constantly working at optimum levels. Good luck!
