How to Ignore Everyone Who Is Around

The ability to tune out the outside world can help you concentrate on your studies, work or responsibilities at home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Sit where you can’t see anyone. Choose the front row in class, a corner booth in a restaurant or the first section of a movie theater. You’ll have fewer chances to inadvertently make eye contact with someone, which might encourage them to talk to or pester you.
2. Pretend not to hear people who are trying to distract you deliberately. Act like you’re intently looking for an object inside your bag or trying to remember something. Keep headphones on as if you’re listening to music, call someone on your cell phone or read a fascinating book or magazine.
3. Adopt a new hobby or pastime if you’re trying to ignore a group of friends or family members. Stay out of the house or away from your usual haunts by taking classes to learn new techniques, attending club meetings, going on field trips or shopping for supplies.
4. Keep your mind occupied to overlook the noise around you. Recite favorite poems, sing songs, count backwards or recall bits of movie dialogue in your head. Daydream and mentally explore your “happy place.” Try to remember what you ate for dinner every night last week. Think of what you plan to buy your family next Christmas.
5. Train yourself to truly tune everyone and everything out. Practice simple meditation exercises to reduce distractions and annoyances (See Resources below).