7 Tips to Prepare Your Mind to Focus

concentrationFor some people (myself included), the hardest part of focusing on a task that requires 100% of your attention, is the process of preparing to focus. Whether I’m sitting down to write, coach a client, or to focus on creating a client proposal, if the task at hand requires thoughtful attention, I need to be prepared.

The process of preparing myself to focus is a bit embarrassing to disclose. It seems ridiculous, however it really is what works for me. Before I am ready to dive into my work, everything has to be just right.

The preposterous preparation agenda looks a bit like this:

  • I have a snack
  • I use the bathroom
  • I make sure to have a large glass of water or tea within arm’s reach
  • My email has been checked
  • My desk is cleared
  • The temperature must be just right
  • My phone goes on silent
  • My notifications are turned off

I’m not exaggerating—my mind cannot focus if everything is not just right—this is how fussy I am when it comes to concentration. Everything must be in order.

(Yes, it probably took me 45 minutes just to prepare to write this article.)

I realize I sound like a child who gets easily distracted by shiny objects. But the truth is, I know myself, and I’ll have a much more productive work session if I am totally comfortable and without distraction. I don’t have much willpower, so I find it difficult to keep myself focused on a task when there are buzzes interrupting me or if I have to stop what I’m doing to get a sweater, a glass of water, or have to use the restroom. And if I’m in a place where people are interrupting me? Forget it. Removing distractions, even though it requires some preparation, actually saves me time.

And there is scientific research that says I’m not alone—distractions derail most people! Gloria Mark, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, has said that it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back to a task once distracted. Think of how much time you can save by avoiding these “ramp-back-up” minutes by preparing your mind for concentration.

While these are not all fool-proof ways to eliminate 100 percent of potential distractions, here are seven ways to minimize the interruptions you encounter when you’re sitting down to focus.

Put Your Phone on Silent

This is step one. I preemptively decide that nothing is more important than the task at hand—not my cousin’s Facebook message, a text from my significant other, or a call from my boss. If I’m sitting down to meditate, I’ll be back within 30 minutes. And if I’m focusing on an important task, that is my decided priority and I don’t want to be interrupted.

Clear Your Workspace

If I’m sitting down to write, coach, or work on something that requires focus, this is crucial to my concentration. Typically, I have my to-do list, piles of paper, and post-it reminders on my desk. But when I need to focus, I don’t want my wandering eye to rest on a different to-do. If it’s within eye-shot, it may distract me, or invite me to clean it up or put it away. I have a drawer where these things rest while I focus so I don’t have the excuse to wander to another task or clean my desk.

Be Well Fed

If you are hungry, or will get hungry in the next hour, you will be distracted by the desire to eat a sandwich or make a smoothie. Eat, then focus.

Get Comfortable

Make sure the temperature is right, you have a sweater nearby if you might need one, and you are seated or standing at your desk in a comfortable way. Get anything you need that may make you more comfortable. I light a candle and this helps to transport me into a comfortable zone.

Go Solo

If you can, put yourself in a location where you’re alone. If you sit in an office with others, or share a home with someone who may call your attention in the middle of your work session or meditation, let them know that you need a distraction-free zone for the next 30 minutes (or three hours). If someone expects you to return calls right away, you might also want to tell them that you won’t be responding for a while.

Make Sure to Pee

That’s right … if you don’t go before you sit down to focus, you’ll have to go once you’re in the zone. In which case when you’re on the way back from the bathroom, you could get distracted by any number of people or activities. Use the restroom, then focus.

Remove Physical Distractions

This is obviously a big one—it relates to people, noise, and anything that may interrupt your flow. This is especially important if you are surrounded by people and cannot control the activity of your home or office. In this case, you’ll need to create some non-verbal communication so they know not to interrupt you …

  • Wear headphones. Tell your office mates or family that when you have your headphones on, it means that you don’t want to be interrupted. You don’t even have to listen to anything; it could simply serve as a cue for people to respect your focus time and leave you alone. Noise-cancelling headphones are great if you work in a loud environment and need quiet to focus.
  • Listen to music: If you need quiet and your surroundings are not, try listening to music that boosts focus. For me, that would be classical music or ambient spa music. Some people (especially developers) say that techno music will keep them motivated to work. Learn more about the types of music that can enhance focus.
  • Turn on ambient noise: If you can’t work to music, try ambient sounds, like white noise or nature sounds. My favorites are ocean waves, thunderstorms, or rainforest sounds.
  • Turn off notifications: Close your email, social media, and other applications on your computer if you’re sitting down to work on a single task. If you’re meditating, hopefully your phone and computer will already be on silent.

The thing is, we live in the era of mass distraction, and it’s not easy to focus. Whether you need 20 minutes to meditate every day, two hours to write an article each week, or a full day of quiet to dive into a strategic project, you need to learn how to minimize distractions if you’re going to get anything done.

This article was a list of things that always help me find my focus. What puts you into the zone?

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Melissa Eisler

Melissa Eisler, MA, PCC, is an ICF certified executive coach. She partners with leaders to develop their systems thinking, resilience, strategic communication skills, and executive presence in order to reach individual, team, and organizational goals. She blends more than 15 years of experience in leadership positions in the corporate world, with her master’s degree in organizational leadership and extensive background in mindfulness to help her clients master their leadership skills and steer their teams through challenges and change. Learn more about Melissa here.

7 Comments

  1. Joy on October 28, 2017 at 5:09 am

    Great suggestions! I am great about planning and scheduling time for things such as meditating or going for a quick walk or closed door strategic planning. The want to and the planning part is there. My issue is the self discipline to actually follow through on that commitment. I allow other priorities that pop up take precedence. Suggestions to stick to the plan?

    • Melissa Eisler on November 1, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Joy! Thanks for sharing. My suggestions would depend on what is in your way of following through with your plan. Everyone has a different reason; you might start with identifying WHAT keeps getting in your way of following through before creating a plan to move past it. One common thing is scheduling meditation or a walk or a focused work session at the wrong time of day. Find a time when things are less likely to come up, and where you are less likely to be swayed by competing priorities. I hope that helps. If you’d like to talk in more detail about your situation specifically, feel free to schedule a free consultation. I work with people to overcome obstacles and make themselves more effective. You can take a look at my coaching practice here: http://widelensleadership.com

  2. Raghav on November 15, 2019 at 3:30 am

    Hi your suggestions are very useful to focus well.

    Thank you.

    • Melissa Eisler on November 17, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      So glad they are helpful!

  3. Kate. on August 19, 2020 at 9:19 am

    Great article Melissa! Very helpful tips.

    Cheers.

  4. Krishnan on May 23, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Really helpful article! You really have a great stuff on this topic! Thanks for the valuable information
    Xcellerate 35

  5. Krishnan on May 23, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Really helpful article!
    Xcellerate 35

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Melissa is the founder and principal executive coach at Wide Lens Leadership. As an ICF Certified Executive Coach with a Master's degree in organizational leadership, Melissa has coached hundreds of leaders ranging from C-suite to entrepreneur, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, and across diverse industries. She is passionate about supporting leaders and teams on their growth journeys toward greater impact, more collaborative teams, and stronger results.