Finding My Focus
When I can focus, I am productive and get a lot done in a short amount of time. I don’t get distracted, and I don’t notice time going by. When I can’t focus, I feel disorganized and am easily distracted by internal thoughts or external events. Tasks feel more difficult and take longer than necessary. To help me focus, I regularly use three techniques: choosing the right environment, brain dumping, and the Pomodoro Technique.
First, I choose an appropriate environment. To focus in my home environment, it helps to put my phone away, block distracting apps on my devices, and make sure my workspace is clean. However, sometimes my home can have a lot of external distractions (e.g., my family, the tv, the noisy environment, etc.). When these distractions become too much, I go somewhere else, like a library or a coffee shop. It’s easier to focus there because of the ambient noise and because I see others studying and working. In addition, knowing what facilitative environments feel like has made me more aware of when external events are hindering my focus.
Second, I use brain dumping. Brain dumping involves getting all your thoughts—commitments, deadlines, worries, etc.—out of your mind and onto something physical, like a piece of paper. Those kinds of racing thoughts can affect my concentration by disrupting the flow in my day, making me feel disorganized. Brain dumping has improved my focus by helping me declutter my mind so I feel calm and organized while working on tasks.
Third, I use the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique involves breaking up work into intervals, typically 25 minutes each, followed by a 5-minute break. The timer encourages me to get as much done as I can, like a competition. The breaks – drinking water, grabbing a snack, or stretching – serve as a reset to easily bring my attention back to what I am working on. Not only does the Pomodoro Technique help me focus, it also helps me complete tasks in less time.
These three techniques are some of the tools that help me focus. Using them, I am able to quiet my mind and my external environment, stay organized, and get my work done quicker. Amidst busy schedules and hectic environments, it’s important to have strategies for regaining your focus and doing your best work. I hope the success I’ve had with these techniques motivates you to find what works for you, so you can reclaim your own ability to focus.
Susan Gutierrez joined the Interactive Measurement Group in the Summer of 2021. She is majoring in psychology and is set to graduate in Spring of 2024. During her time in the lab, she has co-authored two conference posters, mentored lab members, and worked on making documents accessible. After she graduates, she hopes to get into a school psychology graduate program.