How to Stay Focused on Your Goals and Prevent Distraction

Clutter and disorganization can lead to procrastination.

Achieving goals can be exhilarating. Plan to tackle the obstacles that stand in your way and make success yours. You want it to be the reason you smile that much bigger or swell with pride knowing you have won. However, this assumes you can focus long enough to achieve those goals. Direct and indirect distractions lurk in every corner. Learn to stay focused with mental techniques to strengthen your concentration and make achieving goals a lifelong habit.

Instructions

1. Visualize your success before you take any action. Map out the specific steps required to achieve your specific goal. Identify the most effective path to achieving your goal.

2. Create a checklist using the identified actions and assign dates and times.

3. Isolate yourself. Remove any clutter, noise and unnecessary people from your work area. Turn off the television, phone, radio and everything else that could be a potential distraction.

4. Work in concentrated time blocks. For example, work on your task for two to three hours at a time without distraction to attain a "flow state" of achievement. Then, rest or play for 15 to 30 minutes in between blocks to rejuvenate.

5. Associate your "flow state" with a mantra or specific movement. For example, closing your eyes while thinking about the achievement of your goal while taking very deep breaths. Then, use this specific set of movements to trigger your optimal working mental state.

6. Track your progress with your checklist and identify any new methods that will help you achieve more efficiently.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your smartphone calendar to set alarms for scheduling time blocks.

• Don't dwell on any missed deadlines. Concentrate on the achievement of the overall goal.

References

• Harvard Health Publications; Relaxation Techniques: Breath Focus
• Brain Skills; Mental Focusing Techniques; Miriam Vered; December 2010
• Shape Fit; Mind Power Techniques - Tips for Improving Mental Focus To Achieve Goals
• "Entrepreneur"; 25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs; James Stephenson

Resources

• "301 Ways to Have Fun At Work"; Dave Hemsath et al; 2009
• "The Independent"; How to Pass Your A-Levels; March 2008