“Only through focus can you do world-class things, no matter how capable you are.” – Bill Gates

With all of Bill Gates’ success, he must surely know what he’s talking about when it comes to focus and concentration. But these two things may not be something that you possess. And you’re not alone. Focus and concentration are skills that need to be worked at and developed. 

But how can you improve your focus and concentration? How can you harness their power to give you maximum results? Here are a few tips to help you boost both of these things and help you be more productive throughout your day.

• Try Meditation: Meditation is a way to reduce stress and induce relaxation, which in turn can improve your focus. It may be as simple as spending 60 seconds concentrating on your breathing, or you might listen to some guided meditations. If you’ve never tried meditation before, there are some great apps available such as Insight Timer, Calm, and Headspace that can help you.
• Create a List: If you have a busy day or week ahead of you with a bunch of tasks that are going to pull you in many different directions, creating a list can help. Spend some time the night before you need to begin your work and prioritize the tasks and approximately how much time each task will take. This will all help you plan accordingly and keep you on track.
• Exercise: If you’re feeling frazzled or scattered, researchers have found that exercise can help bring you focus. Go for a run, take a group fitness class, or lift some weights. Putting your attention and energy into exercise can help you come back refreshed and ready for the tasks at hand.
• Clean Your Workspace: If your workspace is cluttered, it’s time to clean it up. Unnecessary items on your desk or in your office or cubicle can act as a distraction. Keep your area clean and tidy.
• Take a Break: Sometimes all you need to bring back your focus is a quick break. Get up and stretch, take a quick walk, or grab a glass of water. You may find that this short break brings you back, ready to concentrate, and complete your work. 
• Focus on One Thing at a Time: At one point in time, people bragged about what great multi-taskers they were. But research has found that focusing on one task at a time ensures greater accuracy and more success on work-related projects.
• Limit Your Distractions: Is your office noisy? Do you have co-workers stopping by to chat all the time? Do you constantly check your emails? You may need to limit your distractions. 
  • Headphones can reduce noise and discourage talkative co-workers and setting specific times to check email can help keep you focused.
• Watch Your Energy Levels: If you find that you always seem to have an “afternoon slump” where you are tired, and your concentration wanes, you might want to watch that. Exercise, proper sleep,  and a good diet can help reduce these energy slumps.
• Remain Calm: If you find yourself getting agitated or upset by something, try and remain calm. Anger or anxiousness will not improve your level of concentration.

If you find that remaining focused and improving your concentration are skills you need to master, try these tips. You could find that your productivity increases and that you’re accomplishing more than you ever thought possible!