How to improve concentration on more important priorities than facebook?

Question

I used to be a very focused student in school. But after coming to college after i got access to unlimited internet,freedom my concentration has fallen very steeply. Even while studying for my final exams and even when there is no more time to waste i start opening facebook every 25-30 minutes,or open some other website and start browsing.

Not only while in such critical situations,but in general i keep opening facebook,check the number of likes,or just keep on refreshing the page. I want a solution to be focused on my task while i am working , increase my productivity.

I do not want to force anything like deleting the facebook account and all(as a matter or fact i tried it many times,i find some other site to pass time). I want the concentration and focus to come naturally. I have seen many questions related which suggest some vague solutions like stay focused, don't think about anything else ,try to like your work e.t.c which seem to be very vague solutions to the problem.

I tried meditating,but as i did not know the proper way to meditate most of the times it did not prove useful. So if you feel meditation is the best technique suggest some books,links e.t.c anything which help me start meditating in the proper way.

The main problem is that i am about to finish my graduation. Though i always used to be one of the toppers while i was in school, my performance dipped in college. I do not want to continue my education in such a manner as i am not happy and satisfied with it. Please give some concrete suggestions. PS: In one of the question a chrome extension was suggested which filters our browsing suggestions. It was useful but, that was like forcing myself to do the work. As i already mentioned i want the concentration to come naturally

Answer 1

I am an avid facebook user and aware of the type of problem you are running into. I just started using the Pomodoros method and think that you would find it useful. The key part is 25 min of focused uninterrupted work followed by 5 min of break. Checking into facebook for every break will still allow you to feel connected but will also restrict facebook use to a specific time. You are also likely to get more done if you really focus for 25 min and then give yourself a break.

Answer 2

First, I want to commend you for wanting to be focused naturally. Hold on this thought.

We always prefer to do what is easier, more fulfilling, more satisfying, or more rewarding. Currently, Facebook and the internet are at the top of your list. Studying is not making it, although you said that you realize the value of education.

One main characteristic of successful people is their ability to aim further in the future. They realize that the present is becoming past very soon. They invest the present for the sake of future benefits. We see everyday people who ignore the future to enjoy the present. The smoker who prefers enjoying smoking today and ignore the possibility of cancer in the future. Another example is the person who drinks all night without thinking about the morning headache or the possible health problems in the future.

Frankly, I prefer Facebook over studying. With Facebook, I feel connected and on top of current events. We are social animals. On the other hand, studying is an isolation from the world. Books are not people, they don't interact. Also studying is hard. It requires more concentration. I am tested every minute. I am wondering if I really understood the material. How will I do on the exam? Studying is stressful. Who wants it.

If you want to naturally prefer studying over Facebook, you need to reprogram your mind to aim further in the future and be more excited about longer term goals and benefits.

How to program your mind to aim far? Allow your imagination to wonder in your future. Imagine yourself a year from now, 5 years, 10 years, and 40 years. Where do you want to be then? What kind of people you want to have as family, friends, and neighbors? Where do you want to be professionally? All these thoughts about the future will reprogram your mind to prefer activities that have longer term benefits. Make this images part of your daily life, forever. Be a daydreamer in the future land.

In summary, convince yourself that tomorrow is more important than today. Today is disappearing soon, invest it.

Answer 3

I had the same issue with instant distraction that internet offer to us. At the begining it will be difficult to switch your mind as Ali Habbak suggested. I install a tool on Chrome browser called Stayfocused. You can block website and allow a limited time during your study timeframe. You will quickly see that you will not consume all your time allowed.

Or you can make a better step, close your facebook account.

Answer 4

This always seemed to help improve my concentration skills http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.ca/2012/04/how-to-improve-concentration.html