How To Find Your Focus When You’re Surrounded By Distractions

Are you a multitasker?

So many of us pride ourselves on our ability to multitask. However, multitasking is just repeatedly interrupting ourselves. So much so that multitasking drains more of our energy resources than focusing on just one task at a time.

This is because every time we focus on something new (which can be every few seconds when multitasking), the body uses glucose and other metabolic resources. With constant stopping and starting, we quickly diminish our energy reserves, meaning we have little energy to focus and succeed with our priority goals.

How quickly are you distracted?

• The average internet user has an on-screen attention span of just 40 seconds

• The typical student can concentrate on a task for no more than two minutes

• An office worker cannot focus on one task for more than 11 minutes

• It takes the average person 25 minutes to find their focus after a distraction.

Clear your mind

If your head is full of all the things you need to do and think about, then you’ll never be able to concentrate on the task in hand.

Your brain tries to help you remember all of the items on your to-do list through something that is known as ‘rehearsal loops’. These loops mean that your brain keeps rehearsing these activities until you can attend to them.

So, the best way to clear your mind is to write down every concern, worry, task, job or activity that you are thinking about.

This can help to free up mental space that you can then use to focus on your current goal.

Create the right environment

Whatever your goal is, or whatever you need to focus on, you need the right space. This should be an environment that works for you. Research shows the top performers are the ones that have a personal space, privacy and control over their environment. The right environment will be a place that is comfortable, safe and free from distractions.