How To Focus Better (20 Tips)

It's quite clear to us that our ability to focus seems to be deteriorating quickly.

And if you're like me, who uses social media quite often, then we see that the short-form content offered to us seems to be making it even worse.

But why do we find it difficult to focus in the first place?

Just stay with me for a minute before rushing to the tips, and I promise that once you get this, focus won't be a problem for you anymore.

Now, imagine your brain as a computer.

When you use computers, the speed the computer works is similar to how intensely we can focus and process information.

Now, when you have a lot of tabs open on a computer, it might slow down the speed, right?

This is because there are too many instructions for the computer to process at the same time, and computers have limited bandwidth.

The only way you can increase the speed is if you close up some tabs, or if you use a computer with higher RAM (Random Access Memory).

So, how does this apply to you?

20 Tips on How To Focus Better

There are two main things you can do to focus better.

1. Reduce Your Cognitive load

2. Increase Your Processing Speed

Reducing Cognitive Load

Cognitive load is how much "mental effort" your brain has to do a task.

Your brain has to process information and make decisions when you're doing something.

But if there’s too much to think about, like trying to do many things, your brain gets overloaded and struggles to focus.

So, here are some things you can do to reduce your cognitive load.

1. Warm Your Brain Up

Before you start any task that requires your focus, make sure you warm up first.

We seem to understand this when we're about to play sports or exercise. But then we underestimate how much work staying focused takes.

What warming up does is that it brings the task to the front of your mind.

You can do this by having a quick think-through of the work you have to do, trying to remember what you did the last time, or just letting yourself know what your goal for the day is.

2. Know What You Want to Achieve Beforehand

Before you start focusing, have a clear goal. I know it sounds simple, but we usually forget to set the goal of our tasks.

Again, focus takes energy, and time.

You want to ensure that you're putting that energy and time into the things that will help you to actually achieve your goals within a specific time frame.

If you don't know what your main goals are, it would be easier for you to get distracted, or, even worse, concentrate your energy into the unimportant things that you think are necessary.

3. Let Your Environment Help You

If you want to start studying more, it'd be easier if you have your study materials around you or study partners who would encourage you. So, why do we try to focus in noisy places or with a lot of distractions surrounding us?

Sure, there will be times when you won't be able to help it.

But for the things that are in your control, control them.

Start by turning off your notifications, being in a quiet place (or at least a place with monotone sounds), cleaning your desk, etc.

My personal favorite is having reminders on sticky notes that encourage me to focus.

4. Get Everything Ready

Get whatever you need near you before you start on your tasks.

Start by thinking of everything that may possibly be needed.

Do you need to drink water? Then have the water bottle beside you.

Would you need a note and pen at some point? Then have them already on standby.

That way, you'd free up the space that thinking about going to get those things occupies.

5. Do one Task At A Time

Do not fall into the "efficiency trap". I've fallen into it myself, over and over.

You might want to get as many things done by multitasking, but that only slows you down in the long run.

That's similar to having too many tabs open at the same time.

This would drain your energy, and even if you don't notice it, slows you down in the long term.

Insider Tip: If you're working, try not to do other things that require you to use your cognition, like singing, listening to music, or podcasts, having conversations, etc.

6. Have a Focus Mantra

If you have a short attention span, then understand that this takes work and time. And your focus will only be strengthened if you're willing to put in the work.

You could repeat some sentences (preferably in your head) that would help you focus on what you're doing.

It could be something as simple as "This is what matters now", "You have a goal", etc.

And no, you don't have to say them throughout the task. Just say them when you notice your focus slipping.

7. Don't Switch Between Tasks

This is almost the same thing as trying to do more than one thing at a time.

And it can happen when you feel your tasks are related, like studying a note and answering past questions.

Unless one task completely depends on the other, you should 'try' not to do both at the same time.

Trust me on this.

8. Have a Queue of Tasks

This reduces your thinking about what you have to do next.

You don't even need to have it in your head, because that may take up unnecessary space.

So, try having a simple to-do list or planner, or you could put things on your digital calendar.

It might take some time to create, but it would help you.

9. Create a “mental switch”

These are similar to the focus mantra. You may need a specific thing you do that would bring you back to focus mode instantly.

It could be crossing your legs, sitting up, snapping your fingers, etc.

Anything that can snap you out of being distracted works really.

10. Work With Time Blocks

Working with time blocks is so important.

At one point, I disliked using them, mainly because I could never seem to follow them. But when I did eventually start using them, my mental load dropped significantly.

First, time blocks give you clear deadlines to complete specific tasks.

This would create a sense of urgency, making it easier to stay focused.

Second, you wouldn't have to think of what to do next, because you've already planned it out.

Increasing Your Processing Speed

Your processing speed is how quickly your brain can understand and respond to information.

That means the higher your processing speed, the better your focus, and the faster you complete tasks.

Here are a few things that can help increase your processing speed.

1. Don't Force Focus

You have to learn to pay attention to your body and mind.

When you realize that you keep losing focus over and over, then it's a clear indication that you need to step back for a minute.

And this might be confusing because what do you do when you haven't even been focused for a long time ? It doesn't mean you should force it.

Listen to your body. Try to figure out why you can't focus. Maybe you need water, sleep, light food, or something. Figure it out first.

And, if on the contrary, you've been working on a task for a long time, let's say you've been studying for about two hours straight, of course, you're going to lose focus eventually.

Remember that staying focused uses up a lot of energy.

If your muscles are in severe pain when working out, do you stop and take a break or keep going?

2. Know When to Take Breaks

This reinforces the previous point on not forcing focus.

The major difference is that you need to have already planned out breaks.

Let's say you need to work for 2 hours. Depending on how healthy your attention span is, your plan should include at least one break that lasts for 10 - 30 minutes.

3. Drink Water Strategically

Water helps your mental clarity, which helps you to process things way quicker.

A few sips here and there could be really helpful.

Sometimes, you could add some mint or lemon to your water to boost your energy.

Tea and coffee also work, but you don't want to be too dependent on coffee.

Insider Tip: Avoid sugary drinks and meals if you're trying to focus for a long period.

4. Work with Your Energy Peaks

You need to know when your energy is at its highest or lowest. This is in line with the circadian rhythm.

If you're not a morning person, then trying to focus in the morning would be more difficult for you than others.

That being said, as much as you can, track your energy cycle and know when focusing would be the easiest for you

Insider Tip: If you need to work when your energy isn't high, try taking coffee or actively reducing your mental load.

5. Work in Cycles

The Pomodoro technique is a great representative of working in cycles.

So, if you feel you can't work for extended periods, then break it into 25-minute focus and 5-minute breaks.

Insider Tip: If your energy levels are low, you can start with the Reverse Pomodoro of 5/10 mins focus and 25 mins break, before increasing the focus time gradually.

6. Actively Work on Your Attention Span

You can work on your attention span by practicing focus in everything you do.

How you are in one area of your life is usually how you'd be in most areas.

I mean, if you're messy at home, you most likely are going to be messy at work.

If you can't be focused when you're reading a novel, or listening to a podcast, or doing basic things, it will affect you when you really need to focus.

7. Reduce Getting Quick Dopamine Fixes

Trying to get a feeling of reward from places like social media, games, sugary meals, etc., can affect your focus stamina

You can start by reducing the amount of short content videos you watch, the amount of sugary meals, and drinks you consume.

This will require some discipline, but with time, our brain will slowly stop resisting doing things that may not give you an immediate dopamine rush.

8. Work in Wavelengths

Your brain operates in patterns called brain waves(wavelengths) depending on what you're doing.

When you're exercising or doing something that requires you to be active, listening to upbeat music would boost your brain waves and motivate you.

When you need to focus on doing something that requires a lot of attention, slower brainwaves are better because they will help you stay calm and concentrated

Insider Tip: For deep focus, play calming background sounds or repeat calming phrases like "Take it slow" or "Stay focused".

9. Use Deep Breathing

You've probably heard that your body can go into "fight or flight" mode.

This usually happens to us when we're stressed, and it can make it harder to focus.

And, when you take deep breaths, it helps to slow your heart down and, in some way, reduces the stress hormones, which puts you at ease.

That way, your mind clears up gradually, and your focus improves.

10. Move!

When you can't seem to concentrate, no matter what, move away from where you are. Seriously.

Try doing things that will wake your brain up. You could go on a short walk, go to the restroom, or anywhere. It doesn't matter.

If need be, you can change the location of where you're trying to focus.