Improving Concentration
Concentration is the ability to focus for an extended period of time. Like many skills, it can be improved with practice.
Concentration is also an important skill for learning. Learning is work and work requires effort over time. Concentration is required to sustain effort.
So, what can you do to build your ability to concentrate?
Here are 3 Thrivapy centered ways to improve concentration.
When you take time to reflect on your learning, you can identify how to adjust your process to achieve better results. This type of reflection goes much deeper than a superficial examination of results. Also, this type of metacognition exercise can help you better align your priorities with your greater purpose - your personal mission.
Begin by scheduling one focus cycle per week to reflect and provide yourself with useful feedback. One focus cycle is the amount of time (in minutes) equivalent to your age + 2 (up to a maximum of 25). Use that time to concentrate on what is working in your life, what is not, and identify one or two changes you can commit to in order to achieve better results.
The topic of mindfulness meditation and its benefits is much too large a topic to try to address fully in this post. However, the ability to increase your awareness of what is happening in the present moment and to be disciplined enough to focus on an "anchor" are two of the concepts practicing mindfulness meditation offers.
If you are new to this practice, I suggest moving slowly into it and building up your time. Start with 5 minutes a day. Pick a time of day that seems to work best for you. For additional information, check out these two articles.
https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-how-to-do-it/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-courage-be-present/201001/how-practice-mindfulness-meditation
If you are looking for a good app to assist you in your practice, I suggest my favorite and go to app, Calm.
Related to mindful practice, another method of increasing your concentration is to pick a few daily activities and focus on all the subtle motions and feelings that you might otherwise ignore or not recognize. In other words, pick something(s) you do daily and do them with total awareness (as opposed to being on auto-pilot).
Some examples of such activities include:
Concentration is also an important skill for learning. Learning is work and work requires effort over time. Concentration is required to sustain effort.
So, what can you do to build your ability to concentrate?
Here are 3 Thrivapy centered ways to improve concentration.
1. Make reflection a habit.
When you take time to reflect on your learning, you can identify how to adjust your process to achieve better results. This type of reflection goes much deeper than a superficial examination of results. Also, this type of metacognition exercise can help you better align your priorities with your greater purpose - your personal mission.
Begin by scheduling one focus cycle per week to reflect and provide yourself with useful feedback. One focus cycle is the amount of time (in minutes) equivalent to your age + 2 (up to a maximum of 25). Use that time to concentrate on what is working in your life, what is not, and identify one or two changes you can commit to in order to achieve better results.
2. Try mindfulness meditation.
The topic of mindfulness meditation and its benefits is much too large a topic to try to address fully in this post. However, the ability to increase your awareness of what is happening in the present moment and to be disciplined enough to focus on an "anchor" are two of the concepts practicing mindfulness meditation offers.
If you are new to this practice, I suggest moving slowly into it and building up your time. Start with 5 minutes a day. Pick a time of day that seems to work best for you. For additional information, check out these two articles.
https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-how-to-do-it/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-courage-be-present/201001/how-practice-mindfulness-meditation
If you are looking for a good app to assist you in your practice, I suggest my favorite and go to app, Calm.
3. Bring awareness to a few daily activities.
Related to mindful practice, another method of increasing your concentration is to pick a few daily activities and focus on all the subtle motions and feelings that you might otherwise ignore or not recognize. In other words, pick something(s) you do daily and do them with total awareness (as opposed to being on auto-pilot).
Some examples of such activities include:
- tying your shoes
- washing dishes
- brushing your teeth
- walking to the car
Concentration is an important skill for learning. As with other skills, you are able to increase it with practice and commitment. Try these strategies to give your concentration a workout.
Peace,
TPR, Ph.D.
