Hot answers tagged concentration
38
Something I have been taught while studying English and then preparing for tests/exams like IELTS which may be of help here.
(this applies to reading which requires level of attention/thinking for comprehension above the average newspaper in terms of content and length)
Do not try to comprehend the whole piece in one reading pass (i.e. read once, ...
28
I find the best way to get through scientific papers is to write as many of my own comments on the hard copy of the paper as possible - summary sentences, crossing out parts that were not relevant and writing ideas for things to follow up - when I'm done with a paper it looks like a mass of scribbles, but it has the advantage of engaging you properly with ...
26
I'm sure others will post fancier responses here, but I really think this one is pretty simple.
Read more.
I have always been a voracious reader and read quite fast (at least material that doesn't require too much thought to digest -- the slower stuff takes longer because you actually have to think about it). The other people I know who read a lot read ...
19
As a matter of fact we all at some moment of time struggled with code. some one will share it and some one will not. You will find a lot of fakers in our field. at least i have found a lot. so don't worry at all.
1) As far as your problem is concerned i truly understand what you are facing because i was in your shoes not so long ago. the solution to your ...
16
I learned speed reading techniques at a very young age (honestly believe that children should be taught to speed read in elementary school, but I digress), and I think it's helped me considerably, since I can cover a huge amount of material very quickly, and retain a high percentage of it.
http://www.evelynwood.com.au is one widely recommended speedreading ...
15
I found working sequentially to be a lot more effective than in parallel. A great piece on the subject is Unitasking by Trent Walton:
I noticed something interesting the day I was confined to just 13” of
screen space. Even though I couldn’t see everything I needed to
operate and reference at once, I became more focused. Only seeing one
window at a ...
15
As an easily distracted reader, I’d be more than happy to share some of the measures I have been using. But first I believe we should go into the reading mode with a clear goal: is the reading for leisure, structural knowledge, or supplemental information? Knowing this will help us decide on the best strategy.
Leisure reading
For leisure reading I’d just ...
14
Here is my solution of similar problem:
Preparation steps:
Decide to use "that" internet site(s) actively 2-3 hours max by day. Programs like StayFocusd
really helps.
Use timer (pomodoro or ordinary one with ticking sound) to track time of your activities, work time and time you spent on internet. I use WaterShip Planner
Decide that this day will not ...
14
I would recommend that you make sure that every important item has its dedicated spot. For my keys and my wallet this is a kind of place mat on my desk. Every time I arrive at home my keys go there along with my wallet. If the keys aren't there, they are in my left pant pocket or the left pocket of my jacket.
For other things there are document drawers ...
13
First, are you taking notes? If not, I would recommend doing that - actually writing down the information should keep you on topic and keep your brain from wandering. If you're already taking notes and it's not helping, perhaps switching to a different model, for instance mind mapping, might help.
That said, it's a bit difficult to provide an answer when ...
13
The goal is not to try to be free from thoughts or to resist them. Instead welcome the thought, acknowledge it then say goodbye to it. Dedicating time to try and not think about it will inevitably lead to you thinking about it. So just let it happen and be very passive with it. Thoughts will come and go easily, they only stick around when we focus on them, ...
12
Try using Pomodoro technique. Here you focus on a task for 25 minutes continuously and than take rest for five minutes. This is called one pomodoro.You can start another pomodoro after that.The numbers are the tradition and may be changed to suit you. The key point is to concentrate on a particular task for a small period without distracting yourself.
Below ...
12
Things that involve physical conditioning are better done for shorter periods but more frequently. If you go out and lift weights once a week for 4 hours, not only will you not build more muscle than if you split the lifting up over several days, you will be extremely sore the next day and may not even be able to finish the marathon session due to muscle ...
12
This is all because of the interest level my friend. we can all remember the pretty girl's name but will forget the guy's name standing just beside her in a day. this is purely due to the interest and focus factor (we may also recall every word she says because the focus was pinpoint, we didn't rote her words in our mind)
Secondly the girls name will began ...
11
Practice executive functioning regularly to improve the function. Every half hour when the bell tolls, put everything down, get a good stretch, and ask yourself: "What am I going to do for the next half hour?" This is a great recovery system for people who have a tendency to go on tangents, and it builds self confidence because people generally make good ...
11
There's two things going on here. The thing that I think is going to help you the most is recording and remembering your goal. The second is trying to figure out how to manage multiple projects. Understanding your goal will, in all likelihood, help you understand how to prioritize and manage.
I have a similar problem in that I've always got lots of ...
11
I keep notes (in OneNote) about all kinds of things... generally in the format of 'highlights -> what did I learn -> notes for tomorrow'. In those small breaks, I add items to my notes: which are usually about what I'm waiting on.
That way I'm still thinking about my current task, which rarely breaks flow, and I've got good notes for when 1x1s come along.
11
Multitasking may feel more efficient, but research has shown that it will actually reduce your efficiency. This is because multi-tasking is more like rapid switching between single tasks and your brain needs time to focus at each task switch.
More on the multi-tasking myth from a computer science point of view can be found here
So it's best to do as much ...
10
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 ...
10
I have a similar problem, and invested in a set of noise-cancelling headphones. Because we're in an open environment, it's easy to still see people coming toward my workstation, and am able to make eye contact to let them know that I'm still attentive and not shutting myself out. I've also made comments to my coworkers like, "Wow, I am really distracted ...
9
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 ...
9
As a young programmer with the exact same problem, I'd like to point out that, while liking your job and other 'feel good' advices have their purpose, this set of symptoms could be caused by a deeper and very physiological problem. Short version: your brain might temporarily shut down and restart because all is not right with your biology. The worst thing ...
9
There's a technique called "active listening" that may help. While using it, you listen with a goal of being able to repeat back (paraphrased) what the speaker is saying. There's more than that, but just that much helped me quite a bit years ago. Google the phrase and see what some of the links you find have to say - it may help you.
9
According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the
leading causes of disability worldwide among men and women aged 15 to
44.
So, if you have to decide whether you have to keep working or not. If you have to keep working try the following points (From ...
8
I use a Scrum Board, to see all pending task. But a very important note is to have it OUTSIDE the computer. If you google "Scrum Board" you will find a bunch of web based tools to have an online board. These tools are a great aid for distributed teams. But for you, having your distraction problems, I think having a the board on the PC, and also on the ...
8
Almost everyone of us has faced these problem whether it is checking out our Social Games or Forums or Feeds. I have also spent a lot of my time doing all this.
One of the primary reasons behind all addictions whether it is forum addiction or otherwise is a lack of a major purpose in life.
Whenever there is a major emergency in life or a pressing deadline ...
8
Having phases during the day where you are more effective at a particular thing is perfectly normal. The recommended solution is not to try and change these, as much as work with them.
For example I am more analytical in the morning so schedule analysis tasks first thing. I can also dive deeply into them ether at this point or last thing at night.
I am ...
8
The best change to begin immediately is lowering your intake. With an intake of 5-6 cups per day, this process may take a couple weeks. Do not do this too quickly, as you said it affects your focus when you decrease intake and rushing will just result in you feeling worse and perhaps relapsing (for lack of a better word). If necessary, you can decrease ...
7
But of course! I would say preparing questions for material you study is pretty much the key to retention. You should also test yourself on those questions, that's even better.
Such a learning tool even has a name: flashcards.
Preparing Flashcards
Flashcards come from the idea of preparing a stack of index cards where each card takes the question on the ...
7
Five solutions for improving attention and concentration (and hence the ability to restore it):
Regular high-intensity physical exercise
Will boost your energy level, stress capacity, ability to concentrate, mental determination, productivity, and plenty of other factors.
Certain stimulant drugs (methylphenidate, amphetamines, etc.)
Can be very ...
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