By Lizi Zakareishvili
With so many distractions such as cell phones, TV and social media, sometimes focusing on homework is a challenge for GZAAT students. If there’s one thing we could all probably use a lot more of, it’s the ability to focus.Telling yourself to stay focused is easier said than done, especially on a task we don’t enjoy doing.
The good news is that there are several ways that can help you stay focused on the task at hand.
Artist: Elene Rapava
1. Get Rid of Distractions
First things first, it’s important to get rid of things that distract you from your task and this could be done by:
Turning off your phone
Moving to a quiet area
Telling those around you not to disturb you for a period of time
Closing the door to your room or wherever you are in
2. Try the Pomodoro Technique
Staying focused helps you get more done in less time and while this sounds simple it isn’t always easy to stay focused. Pomodoro technique is a timing method that helps you train your brain to stay on a task for short periods of time. Here’s how it works:
Set the pomodoro timer on 25 minutes and try to get as much work done as possible
When you hear a sound that indicates that the time is over, take a 5 minute break.
After this, set the timer again and repeat.
Once you have done four or three rounds of this you can take longer breaks like 20 minutes or so
3. Make a to-do list
It’s important to point out that a written plan of action can increase productivity.
After you make your list, choose two or three main tasks and put them at the top. Then rank the rest of the items in order of importance. This allows you to do important tasks when you are thinking clearly and you have a lot of energy.
4. Focus on similar tasks
Despite what you may think, multitasking is not more effective or efficient, especially if you’re struggling with staying focused. Jumping from one thing to another can reduce productivity and make it hard to focus on a task. That’s why it’s important to group similar tasks together and do them one by one. Multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do tasks one by one, your brain has the capacity to perform it successfully.
5. Be more mindful
Distracted thinking is common, and something we all experience. Sometimes the mind wanders away from the tasks you need to complete and these little distractions can make you lose focus.
By being mindful and recognizing when your attention starts to drift, you can bring your focus back to your task. You can actually train your brain to be more mindful by following ways:
Can you think of any task that can be performed perfectly without giving it your full attention? Many activities, including paying attention at school and doing homework require high levels of concentration. As you train the mind to remain present and fully focused on one object – physical sensations or the process of breathing, for example – you learn to let go of all other thoughts and distractions as well.
Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve concentration, motivation, memory, and mood. Physical activity immediately boosts the brain's dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention.
6. Get enough sleep
Good sleep helps us to think clearly, remember information, and make decisions. When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it impairs our “executive function”—a set of abilities we need to do well in school, at work, and in all realms of daily life. A clear, alert brain allows us to focus, learn and remember information and to be creative. Research shows that we need good sleep to feed our high-level, innovative thinking and problem solving abilities.
When you are dealing with too many tasks, stress or lack of sleep, maintaining focus can pose a bit of a challenge. That’s why it’s important to know a few tips like the ones described above. There’s a lot of freedom in discovering that you don’t have to pay attention to every little thing that pops into your mind. Knowing how to be focused can help you stay on track with the important tasks you may have each day.
Edited by Iviko Sakvarelidze
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