Use sticky notes to write reminders and help you stay focused.
With work, family and friends vying for your time and attention through phone calls, e-mails, text messages and face-to-face encounters, you may find it difficult to stay focused and pay attention to what is really important. This lack of attention to detail can lead to absentmindedness in both your personal and professional life. Improve your attention to detail by remedying the factors that cause you to lose focus. Turn off unnecessary distractions, use cues and reminders, get sufficient rest and exercise regularly.
Turn Off Distractions
Avoid distractions when you want to concentrate on your work or studies. Switch off phones, do not check e-mail and choose a quiet room to minimize your chances of being distracted by interruptions and external sounds. If you cannot work in a quiet or secluded area, wear headphones and play soft classical background music to cancel distracting external sounds. Position your chair and desk to face a wall instead of the window or doorway to avoid paswsing distractions.
Use Cues and Reminders
Keep a reminder of important things that you must attend to by using cues and reminders such as sticky notes and calendars. Set phone calendar alerts or write reminders on physical calendars and sticky notes. Place the calendar and sticky note reminders in areas that are in your line of sight, such as on your desk or refrigerator. Prepare a to-do list at the end of each day, detailing the things that you need to accomplish the following day.
Get Sufficient Rest
Revive your tired body and recharge your energy by getting at least seven hours of sleep every night. The quantity and quality of your sleep should be good enough to enable you to wake up without the need for an alarm. When you are tired, your body cannot produce brain chemicals such as dopamine and adrenaline, which are necessary to help keep you focused. Moreover, lack of sufficient rest diminishes your concentration levels, making you prone to forgetfulness and a short attention span.
Exercise Regularly
Perform aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, running and cycling at least twice a week to improve your concentration levels. When you engage in aerobic exercises, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that relieves stress and improves your attention to detail. If you have a desk job and cannot leave your desk, simply stand up in place. This act of standing is a signal to your brain to become alert and focused.
Tags: sticky notes, aerobic exercises, attention detail, concentration levels, cues reminders, external sounds