Focus Your Mind: 10 Ways to Keep Clarity

Schedule Your “Reachable Times”

Instant communication is great, but when you’re trying to get something done, it can make for constant interruptions. Schedule a time to do all your e-mails, phone calls and instant messaging. It’ll seem hard at first, but it won’t take long to get used to it, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you get done.

Post a “Do Not Disturb” Sign

Yup. Just like at a hotel. Except you can hang this one outside your office, den, or wherever you go to focus and get work done. Let family members and coworkers know that whenever you have the sign up, you really need to focus and can’t be disturbed. Then be sure to take the sign down and be available when you’re not concentrating on a task.

Keep Still

Fragmented attention and fragmented movement go hand in hand. By staying put, you give your mind a chance to focus on a thought, rather than your physical environment. The key is to find a comfortable position and remain in it. After a while, you’ll notice that you fidget less and are more “in the zone” with what you’re focusing on.

Use Headphones

If you’re in a noisy environment, consider picking up a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Music is a great way to block out distractions. If you’re using an ipod or an mp3 player on your computer, create a playlist of songs that help you concentrate. That way you can just plug in, hit shuffle, and you’re off.

Savor a Reward

At the end of the day, look back and recognize all of your accomplishments. Plan for tomorrow and then relax for the rest of the day. Enjoy the reward you promised yourself, even if it’s just some time alone before dinner.

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