4 Mistakes That Can Cost You Time and Concentration
How many times already have you sat down in front of your computer, determined to get on with your work only to find yourself on Facebook or YouTube?
Our productivity is attacked from various directions all day long, especially when disconnecting is nearly impossible in this day and age. And for the creatives who need to work with computers and online, the temptation that can break your concentration is stronger than ever.
Regardless of whether you design, write or do something else entirely, it seems that everyone notices similar symptoms when it comes to doing something they’re passionate about:
· State of ecstasy — out of reality.
· The understanding that the activity is completely achievable because your skills allow you to complete the task.
· Serenity — No worries. There is a feeling of growth beyond limits.
· Timelessness — Hours seem like minutes.
· Continuous motivation.
Your goal is to feel all these things as you concentrate on work in front of you. However, being cornered by distractions constantly can hinder your focus. It’s essential that you’re aware of the mistakes that you make if you want to combat poor concentration as efficiently as possible.
1. You try to do too many things at the same time
If you want to focus on doing something right, it really doesn’t make any sense to want to do several things at the same time. The human brain can process maximum of110 bits per second; by listening to ourselves and understanding what we say we process 60 bits (which is why we cannot fully understand when two people speak to us at the same time).
In the same way, our ability to process information is divided among the tasks we want to perform. So, if you want to maintain your concentration, focus on doing just one thing in order to actually do it well.
Remember, don’t be proud of multitasking. It doesn’t truly work.
2. You give in to temptations
As a first step to break all bad habits, you must first recognize that you have them. In this case, it’s your responsibility to pinpoint the distracting agents that don’t allow you to maintain your concentration for longer.
Pay attention — Facebook, email and even just popping to the kitchen to grab something quick to eat are all distractions and “bad work habits” in a way that will prevent you from focusing on and completing your tasks.
When the Internet is concerned, programs like Self-Control for Mac or add-ons like StayFocusd for Chrome, allow users to limit the time they spend on web pages that waste their time.
3. You fail to organize time properly
There are plenty of theories explaining just how long we stay focused during different activities, but, in the end, they are all rather similar.
It seems that the best formula involves full concentration for one hour and then a 15-minute break. This will allow you to relax while actually getting the work done.
4. You plan your activities poorly
Making to-do lists for the next day can be very useful, but not if the tasks you put down are overly general. Generalization leads to distractions. The key is to get as specific as possible with planning out your tasks and activities so that you know what needs to be done immediately. Otherwise, it will be just too easy to succumb to temptation and break the concentration.
For example, if your task is to learn to play the guitar you may not know where to start, which will only make your mind go all over the place. But, if you break down the activity into more specific parts, like recognizing some chords and memorizing the positions of the fingers, you will know exactly what you should do. That way, you won’t get distracted by unnecessary things and pastimes that only hinder your productivity.
How to stop procrastinating and take advantage of time?
Be careful with excuses
We are all experts when it comes to excuses.
It just may happen that you want to exercise in the morning but then you think about having some breakfast first. After breakfast, you’re too full. Then you don’t have your water bottle with you. Later on, you remember all the important tasks you have to complete for the day and put off exercising again. In the end, you conclude that it would be best to work out in the evening, but once the evening comes, you’re too tired. And then the exercise gets “rescheduled” for tomorrow, time and time again.
You need to stop with the excuses. If you want to do something, JUST DO IT! There’s really no magic behind this. If you think of something you have to do that’s also good for you, you need to get on it in the first 5 seconds, or the excuses may crawl back to you.
Focus specifically on what you set out to do and establish at least some time frame; for example, 45 minutes that will be reserved for one activity only.
Modify your environment
The bad news for many people is that procrastinating is rooted in our habits and personality. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to change our personality. The good news is that it is possible to modify our environment and adapt it so that we react in a different way. For example, if you know that the television is your greatest distraction, you can go to a café or library to work, completely distancing yourself from what prevents you from being productive.
Another very common problem is the Internet. The laptop and the smartphone have become our best friends, work tools and information sources; but they also entertain and, eventually, distract us. Facebook, for example, can be an excellent resource but it’s also a huge distractor if you don’t know how to control your time on this social media.
The “why” is the most important
If you’ve tried to start doing some activity and then postponed it for a long time, it’s important that you ask yourself why you want to do it.
Clearly, it’s much easier to engage in activities that have great value for you and you believe that they will truly benefit you in the future. You must assess the true meaning of the activity/task in question in order to understand its importance. This will encourage you to either commit to or leave it; anyhow, you won’t be wasting your time.
