Concentration in general may be defined as an active state of mind wherein the whole of attention, with all available energy and talent.
52
votes
10answers
2k views
How can I improve reading speed and comprehension?
How can I improve my reading ability? I want to increase my reading speed and comprehension.
Do you have experience in increasing your reading. What did work for you? Which approaches failed?
22
votes
8answers
1k views
What is the best way to approach large tasks, such as reading scientific papers, that require intense focus?
I'm in graduate school, and part of my job is to read widely in my field. Scientific papers are very dense and I tend to read slow, so I average around 2-3 pages/hour. Consequently, long papers can ...
21
votes
12answers
717 views
How to concentrate without external stimulants?
I'm a programmer and my work requires intense mental focus.
My goal is to get 8 clean, productive hours of programming per day.
I tried this yesterday, and I managed to get only 2:35 hours of clean ...
17
votes
8answers
2k views
My thoughts distract me, how do I keep my focus?
I recently started working full-time as a software developer. [potentially unnecessary background info here]
I've always had a problem focusing. It's very difficult for me to push down my curiosity ...
15
votes
4answers
366 views
Which is more productive: doing lots of work in parallel or one by one?
I always feel hesitant about this particular problem of mine. Sometimes several ideas come to me, and I feel, I should start doing all of that once. But then I have a problem, I get lost in Where I ...
15
votes
7answers
285 views
Staying concentrated during small pauses
My workflow includes some steps that make me wait for 0.5 to 2 minutes to complete: long remote git operations, creating / rebooting an instance in the cloud, etc. It's safe to assume that these ...
14
votes
7answers
402 views
How to control the urge of refreshing the forum pages to see if someone has replied?
That wastes time. Huge time.
I also tried setting up mail notifications so that I don't have to keep on refreshing tabs, but in this case I get dragged to keep a parallel eye on the Gmail as if my ...
14
votes
6answers
432 views
How to setup linux as a pure working environment
I am a freelance programmer and I suffer from procrastination - a lot. When I manage to dive into work I really enjoy it, but then after a while something crosses my mind, and I have strong urge to ...
13
votes
8answers
669 views
Struggling in coding
I have a problem that whenever I struggle with a programming problem, for example in computer vision or game programming, I try to look for an existing demo or some code that does that job. I always ...
13
votes
6answers
485 views
How to work while depressed?
A depressed person must stop working while in depression treatment. But if that person needs to keep working, what can be done?
EDIT: Some reasons why I prefer stopping to work:
FOCUS:near ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
How to concentrate (read a book or work) when other people are talking instead of listening to their conversation?
I find it very difficult to concentrate on a task, if people are talking in the "neighborhood", e.g.
reading a book in the tram or train or in a doctor's waiting room where other people are ...
12
votes
5answers
427 views
Mind keeps wandering during conversations
I have trouble remembering instant things in mind. It really feels weird when I am talking about something and then I ask the person talking to me as, "Excuse me! Where were we?." I have been told by ...
12
votes
3answers
741 views
How to stop mind from drifting off while reading?
Lets say I'm reading a text on programming language which has some example on poker. As soon as I read it, my mind drifts off about some related things around poker, like probability, last time I won, ...
11
votes
7answers
252 views
How to keep free from thoughs while meditating?
When I sit for meditation, there are a lot of thoughts come to my mind. How can I be a free from thoughts while meditating?
11
votes
4answers
277 views
Forgetting of concepts
I have a problem which I am unable to tackle to the best of my efforts. Whenever I learn a concept (maths, computers physics), if I am required to solve a question on it immediately, I do it without ...
11
votes
10answers
3k views
Best headphones/earplugs to drown out loud nearby conversations [closed]
I'm a programmer in an environment where people talk loudly. Nearby passionate conversations can be distracting when i need to concentrate.
I'm sure I'm not alone. What headphones/earplugs would ...
10
votes
5answers
246 views
How to stop misplacing things?
I have a big problem of forgetting where I have put things. I always seem to forget where, for example I left my papers, keys, etc.
Is there a way I can remember all the objects and where I have ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
My open office is not effective in increasing my productivity, how can I counter this?
We have an open office (no cubical walls) that is intended to increase productivity.
However I find that the increase in distractions, both sound and visual negates this due to the difficulty in ...
10
votes
5answers
254 views
How to trick our minds into doing mundane tasks?
There are some daily tasks I am too lazy to do: simple cleaning, washing dishes, etc. When I have no other pressing tasks, I end up not doing these simple tasks. However, when I have something coming ...
9
votes
13answers
2k views
How to get rid of distractions and focus on what I am reading?
I need to study hard for a month, more than 10 hours/day. The problem is, I cannot concentrate on what I'm reading more than 15 minutes. I lose concentration easily while reading. the most important ...
9
votes
3answers
474 views
How to quickly restore concentration?
Very often I'm being interpreted while working or studying, sometimes the interruptions are small, and take a minute and sometimes it requires more than few minutes.
How do I quickly restore ...
9
votes
4answers
261 views
One hour a day or 4 continuous hours a week for an activity?
Should I practice an activity, say drawing, programming, or even sport, in short day-sessions of one hour for example, or do it all at once in a week?
If I choose to do one hour a day, I might waste ...
9
votes
9answers
470 views
How to handle interruptions in developer work without losing concentration?
I work as a developer for some years now. Mainly the issue why it's antisocial work is because you need to spend much time programming. I've been always the kind of developer who likes to cut off from ...
9
votes
2answers
266 views
Does Noise Help Concentration and Productivity?
Does Noise (White/Pink/Brown) help concentration? Any literature to speak about this?
Note:
This is not similar to this because I am asking specifically about noise not music.
I am not asking about ...
8
votes
6answers
503 views
Does anyone have any recommendations for an alternative workstation ergonomic setup
My job means I have to sit at my computer all day, 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, 46 weeks a year. That’s 1610 hours a year and 1/3 of my whole day (given that I also sleep about 8 hours so am not ...
8
votes
3answers
444 views
Preparing questions when studying some topic
I noticed that I focus very well and do not forget the topic for months when I am told to prepare some questions for problem session (recitation) hours of the course I assist. On the other hand, I ...
7
votes
4answers
386 views
How to improve concentration on more important priorities than facebook?
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 ...
7
votes
6answers
459 views
How to retain focus without coffee?
I would like to limit my coffee intake, which is about 5/6 glasses a day. I want to do this for health reasons and I think I'm more deppresed due to strong coffee usage (coffee makes me very tired in ...
7
votes
3answers
921 views
How do I increase my concentration in classroom?
I am in first year of my undergraduate university. I find it very difficult to concentrate in class and 90% of the time I do not know what is going on in the class. I am getting a bit low grades and ...
7
votes
6answers
730 views
How do I concentrate while I work on a computer?
My job requires me to work on a computer, which I do fine because maybe I fear my supervisor might pop in. But when it comes to doing personal projects on a computer, I totally slack off. It usually ...
7
votes
1answer
178 views
Erratic productivity
I consider myself a productive person. I get most of my things done to a level which I'm happy with.
But sometimes my productivity just goes down the drain. I sleep in to the point of oversleeping ...
7
votes
0answers
485 views
How can computer programmer relax his mind and replenish his mental powers? [closed]
It is said that computer programmers (dealing with complex abstract problems) can stay highly productive only for a short period during the day, soon experiencing mental fatigue that makes further ...
6
votes
4answers
434 views
Too obsessed. Cant concentrate
I am an addicted computer programmer. I am doing my Engineering. I am extremely obsessive about things. I am soo much obsessive that people tell me that I work really slow. I feel that I am unable to ...
6
votes
3answers
326 views
Artifical sound generator for counteracting the workplace sound
I was wondering if there are some generator of sound (such as white noise, or other kinds of sound for the following purpose) for counteracting the sound in working environment? The generator can be ...
6
votes
4answers
292 views
How to concentrate on only one thing?
I have a problem. I can't concentrate on one thing at a time. I can't read a whole article, I can't read a whole book, I can't watch tv without reading news from social networks for example.
Could ...
6
votes
3answers
213 views
Concentration+calmness vs curiosity+distraction
I often find it hard to concentrate on uninteresting details (programming bugs etc.) where I already know the outcome, but it takes time and concentration to fiddle. Sometimes I procrastinate and ...
6
votes
7answers
477 views
Putting limits on one's time online
As per Piers Steel's "procrastination equation",
Motivation = (Expectancy x Value) / (Impulsiveness x Delay)
I find that most of my own procrastination tends to involve the Internet and the easily ...
6
votes
6answers
460 views
What is the most effective way to get into 'the zone'?
The zone: "A place were you do focused work without the existence of time."
You have been in 'the zone' when a couple hours have passed without you noticing it. When you're into the zone: you work at ...
6
votes
5answers
187 views
Can Noise Cancelling headphones knock out people speaking, announcements, etc?
Often when people on this board have wanted to reduce sound, nearby conversations people have recommended noise cancellation headphones. I have never tried these but have been told they cannot knock ...
6
votes
3answers
154 views
How to track time spent across individual websites?
I've used Rescue Time, but unfortunately, they don't offer the (free) ability to track time across your browsing, only showing that you were using a browser during that time.
I spend a lot of time ...
5
votes
8answers
381 views
How do I concentrate, feel comfortable and be productive?
I've recently been using my computer while laying down on my bed with a monitor arm extending my monitor in front of me from the side of the bed.
My keyboard and mouse are wireless, and I can use ...
5
votes
6answers
296 views
Single tasking vs Mulitasking
I'm a student and hoping to be an entrepreneur. Besides study I spend most of my time working on software development and recently thinking of organizing a team to work on the field of software and ...
5
votes
4answers
267 views
Does it make sense to continuously listen to some sounds to avoid mind wanderings?
Are there studies or evidence that suggest that continuously listening to sounds helps prevent the mind from wandering or increase focus and productivity during activities such as studying or ...
4
votes
3answers
127 views
How to cure my grave fear for examinations?
How to eliminate my grave fear for examinations which is associated with the tragic end of my academic career due to some of my family matters?
I am totally unable to withstand the fear of failing in ...
4
votes
1answer
248 views
Hacking sleeping pattern and increasing productivity
I plan to develop my own 'customised' sleeping pattern. My idea is to reduce my sleep to about four hours (up to five) per day. I read about polyphasic sleep, especialy uberman's and everyman 3. The ...
3
votes
2answers
491 views
How much time the brain can keep on learning some subject through reading?
Almost all things I read on internet about studying, are just tips on how to improve concentration, improve performance and other stuff you probably already read. But, I stumble on a difficulty very ...
3
votes
1answer
176 views
Recommendation for Portable Stand-up height desk?
Recommendation for Portable Stand-up height desk? One that folds up.
I enjoy working while standing up but I can't find a portable stand up desk. I want one I could fold up quickly and put in my car ...
3
votes
3answers
368 views
What's the most effective studying method?
I study at a high school/college and I'll soon have my exams period.
I was wondering what is the best way to study, given that I want to get the most use out of my time.
What should I pay attention ...
3
votes
5answers
176 views
How to safely and effectively ignore irrelevant external stimuli?
I have come to realize that a lot of mental energy and focus is wasted on the intake, filtering, and processing of what ends up considered completely useless sensory input. Things like various types ...
2
votes
2answers
199 views
Downside of energy drinks [closed]
I usually drink a few energy drinks during a week, because it really helps my productivity, I can focus on tasks easily, even on those boring ones. I'm better in processing information too. I prefer ...
