Your coworker is asking you a question, your kids want your attention, you’re late for an appointment, the 6:00 news is on, a text message just came through, what next?
Bothered by distractions? The world is full of them which makes it easy to lose your focus. I know I’m guilty of trying to do multiple things at once, even though I know how unproductive it is. Julie Morgenstern, author of Time Management from the Inside Out, says, “It has been scientifically demonstrated that the brain cannot effectively or efficiently switch between tasks, so you lose time. It takes four times longer to recognize new things so you’re not saving time; multitasking costs time. You also lose time because you often make mistakes.”1
Do you have a hard time remembering what was discussed at yesterday’s meeting? Are you repeatedly late for appointments? How can we fine-tune our focus, sharpen our concentration and improve our memory?
Fine-tune your focus
- Do one thing. Staying focused can only happen when we say ‘yes’ to one thing and ‘no’ to everything else. Eliminating things or tasks can help improve your focus. Remember, you can always do the ‘other things’ later.
- Commit yourself. Another way to stay focused is to stay committed. It’s not what you’re doing, or the result, that matters; rather, being committed to the process is what matters.2 If there’s no commitment, you’ll never see those results.
- Leverage your energy. A third way to increase focus is to work when your energy is greatest. Is there a time of day when you’re more alert? For instance, I like to write in the morning hours because that’s when my mind is the freshest and I know I’ll be more productive. Don’t waste your mental energy.
Sharpen your concentration
- Involve all your senses. Read aloud while you are reading something. Write down notes while you are listening to someone talk.
- Pay attention. Simple as that. But you need to get enough sleep and eat right so you can pay attention.
- Don’t just listen, understand. If learning something complex, make sure you really understand it first and did not just memorize it. Summarize the information in your own words and try to explain it to someone else.
Improve your memory
- Other than focusing, how are you with remembering things? There’s nothing better for a sharp memory than a well-balanced diet and exercise. Certain activities can help sharpen your memory, too. Things like Soduko and word games, recalling lists, taking a class, and learning a language or a new sport. Anything that challenges your mind can boost your memory.
Supplement with products by PURE
- Clear the morning fog, energize your daily workout, or avoid the mid-afternoon slump with ENERGY. This energy drink is packed with antioxidants, botanicals and natural sources of caffeine, and is the perfect alternative to sugar-laden, artificially sweetened energy drinks on the market.
- GPS Energize provides antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, delivering nutritive support to your workouts and activities.
- For sustained energy, elevated mood and enhanced mental focus, try Matcha Vegan Shake plant-based protein shake. It combines premium, ceremonial matcha with sacha inchi and chlorella for a nourishing drink that also helps support weight management.*
- If you enjoy coffee, PURE Café and PURE Perk both increase energy, support mental clarity and suppress appetite.* PURE Cafe has a delicious, mocha flavor whereas PURE Perk is a dark roast coffee that may promote the release of dopamine, a brain neurotransmitter. It also contains PEA (phenylethylamine HCl) that supports the production of feel-good neurotransmitters and acts as a stimulant.*
Take these ideas and incorporate them into your day-to-day routines. You can reclaim your focus and memory.
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