These days, it seems like we’re being pulled in a million different directions at any given time. From constant advertisements to social media, the internet, and a never-ending news cycle, our attention spans are shorter than ever. In 2013, a study came out saying that the average attention span of a human being is 8 seconds. To put that into perspective a goldfish has an attention span of 9 seconds. This makes it difficult to focus on the decision-making process in a way that serves your goals best. In this blog, we’ll give you five tricks to increase focus and give you the best decision-making process possible.
- Layout A Plan Of Action
The first thing you need to do is gather all information you’ll need in order to make the decision. Then create a plan of action to make your decision, make sure you fully comprehend what you need to do next to make your choice. Sometimes it can be hard to focus when you don’t clearly understand what needs to be done. Different people require different amounts of information to remain focus in their decision-making process, but it’s always best to err on the side of too much, rather than not enough. This helps you understand what steps you must take and allows you to create a workflow. Take the decision-making process one step at a time, making each step your focal point. Workflow is helpful for focus as it helps minimize distracting thoughts, and creates forward momentum in your decision-making process.
- Create An Environment Free Of Distractions
Nothing hinders focus and makes the life and work decision-making process more difficult than they need to be like being in an environment that is uncomfortable. Lighting, temperature, and surroundings have been proven to have an effect on one’s ability to focus. Whenever possible, try to be in a quiet space, with natural bright light. Temperatures that are mild also aid in focus and create a space where you can do your best work. Move distracting devices like phones iPads and computers out of the room. This will help you resist reaching for your phone without noticing and will keep you from looking up and having lost an hour to social media.
- Schedule Minute Reviews Of Your Work
All it takes is one minute every hour to review what you’ve accomplished and recognized what needs to be done further. This helps you see how focused or distracted you’ve been and allows you to make changes when necessary. Minute reviews also help aid in mindfulness, which is the practice of being present in each moment. If you’re someone who struggles to focus, meditation and mindfulness are highly beneficial, and they are a practice, meaning that the more you do them, the better you’ll get. Don’t despair if it doesn’t come easily at first, just one minute every hour will help you begin the process of being focused and present in each moment. Once you’ve done them enough it will become second nature.
- Know What Your Goals Are, and Make A list of Priorities
Handwrite your tops five goals of the day, then make a list of priorities that starts with your number one goal. Our focus is best at the beginning of the day when we’re most alert and able to reject distraction impulses. Therefore, one should always start their day off with their #1 priority that serves their most important goal or decision. Some people will say to start with you easiest task, and although that can be useful for those of us who struggle with procrastination, it doesn’t also serve the people who struggle with focus.
- Play Teacher To An Imaginary Student
This may sound silly, but it has been proven that teaching information enhances focus because you have to continually retrieve it from your brain and attempt to present it in an interesting way. Drawing diagrams and pictures (they don’t have to be good), can help stimulate different parts of the brain and allow us to engage with the information we’re considering in new ways. Voice memos can also be helpful as they allow you to talk it out, without looking like your just talking to yourself. With these tools, neural pathways are developed and air your recall which enhances your ability to concentrate.
Staying focused throughout the day allows you to make the smartest decisions possible. And through these steps be present in your work and life.