Get Organized and Concentrate on Your Work

Having trouble paying attention to your computer screen or notebook? It's hard to concentrate when you have a lot on your mind and your to-do list is ten feet long. Once you find out what works for you and strive to implement good habits, you'll be plowing through your work with renewed energy in no time. For example, making sure you get plenty of rest and exercise and creating self-imposed deadlines can improve concentration.

Steps

  1. Make a list of daily and weekly tasks.
    • A bullet-form list is quick and easy to read and follow.
    • Be thorough and include extra tasks that may inevitably arise in your day. It's best to be realistic.
  2. Decide what's most important. Some Avoid Planning Too Many Tasks may have priority, such as making a meal, doing homework or keeping an appointment.
  3. Divide tasks throughout the week or month.
    • Give yourself additional time to relax.
    • Get plenty of sleep to think more clearly and creatively.
    • Leave time to do work that is not a priority.
    • Set aside time to take care of anything unexpected.
    • Some things take a little longer than anticipated.
    • Leave time for error.
  4. Accomplish small tasks.
    • Break down your more time-consuming tasks into smaller increments.
    • Do your math homework in two half hour sessions, taking a break in between.
    • Have fun in between Finish Your Chores in a Quick and Organized Way.
    • This creates less stress with a more reasonable use of your time.
  5. Stay focused.
    • Try not to start a new project until a previous project has been completed.
    • Concentrate on one thing at a time and do it well.
    • Write "Focus on Priority" on post-it notes. Keep them near the phone, computer or on the refrigerator to remind yourself.
  6. Review your progress. Sit back and look over your work.
    • Have you progressed as far as you should?
    • Is there a more efficient way to accomplish what you're doing?
    • Reassign portions of your project to another day.
    • Delegate to others, if needed.
  7. Be flexible. Try to complete your projects, but if unable to do so, complete them up to a certain point and leave them for another day.
  8. Plan a deadline. Stay on track and on schedule. If you are scheduled to do something, do it, unless it is very inconvenient or impossible to do so.

Tips

  • Make a plan for the day and follow it!
  • Begin your day by doing the most important task first. Just getting that done will have accomplished a lot.
  • Have enough rest before starting your work.
  • Leaving projects half-finished will make you feel disorganized. Plus you'll feel as if you haven't accomplished anything.
  • Before studying, meditate to relax your mind. Concentrate on one thing that needs to be done.
  • Social Sites distracts you from what you want to accomplish... So try to turn off the Internet or simply turn off your laptop. However if you do work on the lap top and need the Internet just use parental controls or any other external software that will allow you to block sites temporally.
  • Log time spent on distractions and breaks. You'll realize more time could be available. Log time with a chess clock.
  • Get everything ready before you start. For example: A pen, books etc. Try to get a glass of water or a fruit to refresh your mind.
  • Don't leave tasks saying "I can do it later". Do what you're scheduled to do, right now and right there.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper, planner or calendar
  • Pencil

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