Before I ask for your suggestions, I’d like to mention that I’m 32 and suffer from anxiety and depression and possibly CPTSD.
Okay, so I’m a freelance content writer and planning for a career switch. When I’m either studying (reading a book, listening to a podcast, or watching video content) or working (researching or writing stuff), I’m finding it difficult to stay focused. I get distracted within like less than 5 minutes.
I would be reading books aloud but would have lost focus a long time back and I have no recollection what I read.
Is there any advice kind folks of this sub can offer to improve my focus and concentration?
10 comments
What are you getting distracted by? Cars driving by, you’re looking at your phone, or you can hear your hair growing?
Perhaps meditation or mindfullness helps you?
Read ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport, fantastic book!
Do a web search on the pomodro technique.
You can shorten the intervals and build up.
It is a simple technique. You don’t need a book. One or two articles you can find through a web search should be enough.
You are addicted to dopamine and the stimulation from smartphones/social media/youtube/netflix/video games has provided for you. People no longer allow themselves to become bored (like the good old days) and constantly look for something digital to distract them. Like cactuswacktus mentioned, Cal Newport has excellent writings on this topic but he is also on many podcasts (I know its digital but it is convenient) explaining why people can no longer pay attention.
Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus only on the task for that time. You need to train your brain incrementally to not react to new stimuli.
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I’m going to say don’t use the pomodro technique. I tried it and after a few days I thought “wait a minute I can just not turn it on”.
I don’t have an answer though. I find I can focus if I care about what I’m doing, but it doesn’t work with any layer of abstraction.
Set a goal for each task. Then try to stay disciplined in working toward that goal. Every time you get distracted, go back to working on your goal. If it takes you 3 hours to do a 1 hour job, then so be it. If you keep at it, over time, you should theoretically get better and better. It sounds like your biggest issue is discipline.
Try brain.fm. it’s great for tuning your brain into focus mode. It’s a scientifically designed series of soundtracks for sleep, study, light work, meditation, etc.