Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Arranging jobs
• Part 2 of 3: Eliminate distraction
• Part 3 of 3: Finishing the list
• Tips

Sometimes it seems like every time you sit down to work, you are immediately interrupted by an incoming email on your phone or by a roommate who is bothering you with yet another disastrous story. Busy people often suffer from all sorts of things that distract them, and it can be difficult to do about it. But it doesn't have to be difficult. You can sort your tasks and decide what to do first, then you can finish things on your list one by one by eliminating anything that might be distracting.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Arranging jobs

1. Write down everything you need to do. If things get too much for you or if you are stressed and can't concentrate, making a list is the easiest and fastest way to sort everything out and draw up a plan of action. Write down everything that concerns you so that you can figure out what to focus on at the moment and so that you know what is less important.
   • Chores that need to be done in the short term are only urgent matters. What has to be done today, and what has to be done by the end of the week? You determine the time period, but try to keep it as urgent as possible.
   • Long-term goals are important too, but only if you can translate them into a list of specific things you can do in the short term. If "becoming a doctor" is one of your long-term goals, that's not going to work out before lunch time. But you can start researching the right training.
2. Put the list in order. How you assign importance to the tasks and how you arrange them depends on you and your list, but there are several common ways to simplify your work. Don't spend too much time editing the list, just trust your gut and quickly put the chores in order so you can get started. One way is the A-B-C method, which divides the chores into:
   • A: Chores that absolutely have to be done, so very important things that have to be done today. Example: finish the report before the 4.30 pm deadline.
   • B: A job that is not currently of the highest priority, but could eventually end up in category "A". For example: collecting all the documents for the tax return so that it can be submitted next month.
   • C: Chores that are less important, but need to be done. For example: running a copied file through the shredder.
   • Arrange by degree of importance. Identify the most important tasks on your list and put them at the top, in order of how important the job is to you. So if you need to submit an essay today, do your laundry, and return a DVD to the video store, you should probably put these three chores on your list in this order.
   • Rank by difficulty. Some people prefer to do the difficult chores first so that they are over, other people prefer to start small and then do more and more difficult things. You may find it easier to focus on a chapter in your history book if you've done your math homework first.
3. Estimate how much time you will need to complete each task. Behind each item on the list you can put an estimate of the time you think you will need to complete the job. Again, you shouldn't spend too much time on this or get stressed about it. You don't even have to add a number, you can also divide things into the categories "Fast" or "Slow" so that you know when to do which job.
   • If you know you only have ten minutes, don't get into the research you need to do for history, save that job for later and do something else with your time. Turn on the washing machine or finally write an email to someone you haven't had contact with for a long time. That is making smart use of your time.
4. Pick the first thing you need to do. After you've thought about the time and importance of different chores for a while, put something at the top of the list. Decide which thing to do right away and put it at the top. It could be the most important thing on the list or the one that takes the most time. Whatever it is, it has to be something you start working on right away until it's done, or finished enough for what is needed.
5. Put the frame away. Trust that you can put the list of things to do away and ignore it. Now that you know which job you are going to do first, the list can only be distracting, and that is bad for concentration. Put the frame in a drawer or some other place where you can't see it. Only the thing that tops the list is important at the moment.
   • Sticky notes can be very useful for remembering things, but if you really need to focus on something, keep the sticky notes out of sight. If you have to complete an essay, don't worry about that night's party that will require you to get your clothes together. Keeping the list out of sight keeps it out of your mind.
6. Make a list of things not to do. Make a list of things that aren't going to happen now. That may feel contradictory, but removing tasks from your mental list can actually free up space for the things you really need to do. For instance:
   • You have to work late. So you can't provide dinner.
   • Your soccer practice is at the same time as the school newspaper meeting. You can't do both.

Part 2 of 3: Eliminate distraction

1. Find a quiet place to work. In order to concentrate, it is essential that you go to work somewhere where you will not be distracted by TV, other people's conversations or other external noise. It may be tempting to work in the living room where it is cozier because your roommates or family members are there too, but it will take you twice as long and the result will be twice as bad. If you need to do something that requires your attention, sit in a quiet corner of your room or go to the library.
   • If you can't find a place where it's quiet, consider buying headphones that suppress background noise. This allows the external noise to disappear and then you can focus on what to do. If you don't want to invest in expensive headphones, use a website that generates white noise, the noise can then drown out the background noise, so you won't be distracted by it anymore.
2. Turn off your phone and put it away. Nowadays it's not all about calls and texts, your phone keeps you informed of what's happening on your social networks, your emails come in on it, and you keep getting requests from friends who want to play a game. There is nothing more distracting than a smartphone. Turn off your phone and put your phone elsewhere if you need to concentrate.
   • If you put your phone on silent, it is still easy to watch often. Better move your phone where you can't access it. If you are working in your own room, put your phone in another room.
   • If it remains difficult to leave your phone alone, consider uninstalling apps that take a long time. Be honest, of course you don't need Facebook and Twitter on your phone.
3. Determine in advance how long you can work on one thing. Before you start, check the clock. How much time do you have to work? How much time do you need to complete the project? How much time in total can you work on it today? Decide how long you will be working on what you are going to start and get started.
   • Take regular breaks. It's very common to work 50 minutes, then take a 10-minute break during which you can walk around, have a drink and just do something else. It's less tempting to watch that funny YouTube video now when you know you can take a break in 20 minutes so you can watch it without feeling guilty.
4. Make sure it is not possible to waste your time online. Most people work on computers, and that doesn't make it easy to concentrate. Your essay is on the same screen as Facebook, Wikipedia and Buzzfeed, and then it doesn't matter how deeply immersed you are in your work, your writing, your research or anything else that requires your digital attention - it only takes one click to suddenly lose you in a succession of YouTube videos. Learn to recognize your time-consuming habits and do something about them before you give in to them.
   • The easiest way to make it impossible to waste your time is to turn off your internet. Turn off your Wi-Fi so that you cannot connect and cannot stray.
   • StayFocused, Anti-Social, LeechBlock and Cold Turkey are software programs that allow you to block certain websites if you need internet for work. These programs block specific websites, or they block your entire connection during specified time periods. If you have trouble not to stray on the Internet, this can be a good idea.
5. Optimize the filters of your social media and emails. Sometimes you have good intentions, but you are still drawn to what is happening on social media. We say to ourselves, "I have five minutes, I just take a look at Facebook", and then an hour later you are looking at vacation photos of a roommate from six years ago. How can this happen?
   • Block or unfriend all social media friends that are of no use to you. If you keep getting distracted by a childhood friend's political tirades, don't spend time on it. Block that friend, or even better, unfriend all imaginary friends on the social networks. Focus on more important things.
   • Set up your email so you don't notice when a new email arrives, and categorize work-related and personal emails into separate folders or separate accounts so you can keep everything separate. Then you don't have to worry about spending a lot of time on that email from your grandmother while you work. That can wait a while. E-mails do not have to be dealt with immediately.
6. Find out what is distracting you. Not all distractions are related to YouTube. Sometimes you are very concentrated reading a novel for your book list and then you suddenly think about your ex. Then it is done. If you find yourself often distracted by anxiety, or if your mood often shifts, learn to recognize your habits so you can avoid them.
   • If you find yourself drifting off a lot, take a break instead of telling yourself to stop. If you say "don't think about pink elephants", you can be sure that a pachyderm will pop up in your mind. Let yourself think about it for a moment, get distracted so you can get it out of your system. Then you can hide it.

Part 3 of 3: Finishing the list

1. Do some meditation every day. If you take a few minutes each day to sit still and contemplatively, you will see that your stress decreases, that you can concentrate better, and that the thoughts that distract you while you should be working slowly disappear. If you often stray, practice meditating so that you get the hang of it, then you can develop a way that works for you.
   • Meditation doesn't have to mean burning incense and chanting. It's the opposite of complicated. Make a cup of coffee or tea and sit on your balcony to watch the sunrise every morning. Take a walk in the park and sit on a bowl. Just sit. Don't use this time to think about everything you need to do. Just use the time to sit.
2. Work in the same place every day. Some people become more productive when they develop a routine. You become more productive and can concentrate better if you always go to the same cafe or if you always sit in the same place on your couch to work. If you always have a new environment around you, you will be more distracted. Pick a spot and make it yours.
   • On the other hand, if you get restless from working in the same place all the time, go elsewhere. Go to a different cafe every day to work and let the noise of conversations and the new menus inspire you. Some people can concentrate better in changing environments.
3. Wait until you feel friction developing and then take a walk. David Carr, a columnist for the New York Times, likes to keep working until he feels it slowing down, until working begins to weaken his concentration. At that point it would be bad to keep working.
   • Put your work aside for a moment, instead of ramming your head against the wall. Go outside. Walking the dog. Take a aimless 10-minute walk around the neighborhood. Have a cup of coffee and think about the problem you are facing, but without straying. As soon as the break is over, you can go back to work fresh.
4. Give your breaks a physical component. Nobody can sit in front of a screen for 10 hours in a row. If you have the opportunity to take a break, it is important to use that break to do something physical. Get moving. Get up and go for a walk, even if you don't have a goal in mind.
   • It may seem silly, but it can be a good idea to have some weights on hand at your workplace to use every now and then while you read. For some people this helps to remember it better. Research has shown that physical exercise can improve memory.
   • Eat something in between.Low blood sugar is not good for the brain, so a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit can help you to regain concentration during an afternoon energy dip.
5. Celebrate everything you kill. When you've completed something from your list, take a moment to celebrate. Pat yourself on the back, scratch what you've done on your list, and take a minute to relax. You've earned it.
   • Celebrate everyday achievements in a small way. When you have completed your work for the day, you can cross it out and pour a glass of wine. Or you can tear the frame into pieces and burn the shreds. You are done!
   • Let yourself go with great achievements. Go out for dinner after you've sent all your applications out, or treat yourself to the end of a difficult project.

Tips

• You will be surprised to find that you work faster and that it is easier for you to focus on one task at a time with a clear mind. And that's the secret to focusing on one thing.