The best tool for staying focused
June 20th, 2010
Use a timer: you'll stay focused
Often people ask me “What’s the best way to stay focused?”
Here’s what I recommend: use a timer. Whether it’s on your digital watch, your i-pad, your cell phone, or one that you set up on your computer, I’ve found the timer to be my biggest aide to staying focused.
The procedure goes like this:
Say you are studying for a test and you’ve devoted 2 hours for your study time. The worst thing you can do is to study for the two hours without a stop. Why? Research shows that optimal concentration time on any one thing is between 20-40 minutes.
First: decide on your goal for the whole study period. Say it’s to cover a chapter for an upcoming test. Make sure that the goal is realistic for the time allotted. Next, break the task up into small manageable chunks. Set the timer for 25 minutes. Start working.
When the timer goes off take a 5 minute break: have a glass of water, do a stretch, take a breath of fresh air. Do not get on your email or cell phone or have a big meal. Just a 5 minute break! Then, back to the desk, set the timer again for 25 minutes. Accomplish the next task to reach your goal. After the 25 minutes take another 5 minute break. Repeat this for the second hour.
You will be amazed at how much you accomplish. The timer is a tool: a friendly reminder to stick with what you are doing, with the gentleness of knowing you’ll have a short break in a little while. Try it. It works!
