How to Get Work Done With a Short Attention Span

Those afflicted with ADD, ADHD, a wandering mind or those who are easily distracted can often find it hard to focus on a task and see it through to the end. Follow these steps to more efficiently get work done.

Things You'll Need

• A kitchen timer
• Work to do

Instructions

1. Make sure before you begin that you have a number of tasks to do. This can be paying bills, doing homework, cleaning a room, doing dishes and so on.

2. Pick an increment of time (between 15 and 30 minutes) to focus on one task. Depending on your attention span, this time will vary. For most, 20 minutes is recommended as a starting point until you find what works for you.

3. Pick your first task and set the timer for your chosen amount of time. During this time frame, focus on this task only and work diligently at it.

4. Once the timer goes off, stop what you're doing (or finish up what you're doing) even if the task isn't complete. It is time to move on to the second task. Repeat the previous step and remember to focus on what you're doing. It's only 20 minutes, right?

5. Now is the time to take a break. Set the timer for 30 to 45 minutes and do something you enjoy, whether it's watch TV, take a nap or walk the dog. Do something you want to do.

6. Set the timer again and repeat until you've taken a significant chunk out of your work load.