But being mentally focused is essential for success.
Fortunately, focus is a lot like a mental muscle.
The more you work on building it up, the stronger it gets.
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Becoming more mentally focused is achievable, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always quick and easy.
If it was simple, then we would all have the razor-sharp concentration of an elite athlete.
Click below to listen now.
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It might take some time, but practicing some good habits and being mindful of your distractibility can help.
Minimizing these sources of distraction isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
Another alternative is to seek out a calm location where you know you will be able to work undisturbed.
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Not all distractions come from outside sources.
Exhaustion,worry, anxiety, poor motivation, and other internal disturbances can be particularly difficult to avoid.
Attentional resources are limited so it is important to budget them wisely.
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Think of yourattentionas a spotlight.
If you shine that spotlight on one particular area, you could see things very clearly.
Mindful Moment
Need a breather?
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Part of knowing how to focus is making the most of the resources you have available.
Stop multitasking and instead give your full attention to one thing at a time.
You have probably heard people talk about the importance of “being present.”
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This notion of being present is also essential for recapturing your mental focus.
It may take some time but work on learning to truly live in the moment.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a hot topic right now, and for good reason.
Fortunately, this breathing activity is something you’re able to do anywhere and anytime.
Not only that, but your performance ultimately suffers as a result.
Researchers have found that even taking very brief breaks by shifting your attention elsewhere can dramatically improve mental focus.
Keep Practicing
Building your mental focus is not something that will happen overnight.
Even professional athletes require plenty of time and practice so you can strengthen their concentration skills.
One of the first steps is to recognize the impact that being distracted is having on your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mental focus refers to your ability to concentrate on relevant information in your environment.
2011;118(3):439-443. doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2010.12.007
Ariga, A, & Lleras, A.
Brief and rare mental breaks keep you focused: Deactivation and reactivation of task goals preempt vigilance decrements.
2011;118(3):439-443. doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.12.007.
