By Remez Sasson
Hold a pencil in your hand, look at your watch to measure the time, and try to focus your full attention on the pencil. Look at it from all sides, trying to imprint its image on your mind.
The moment you discover that you lost your focus, look at your watch to measure the time.
How long can you focus on the pencil, before your attention or your eyes wander somewhere else? Can you measure the time in minutes, or just in a few seconds?
If you can measure the time in minutes, you are lucky, but if it is only seconds, you need to do something about your focus.
When you write a letter, read a book, or study for an examination, how many times do you stop, and either, think about unrelated subjects, or get up and do something else?
When learning a new skill, working, or doing anything else, do you focus on what you are doing, or does your mind wander to other things?
Are you absent minded in situations that require complete focus of mind?
Can you focus your mind on a task until you accomplish it, or do you go from one task to another, never completing any task on time?
Focus – concentration ability – mental focus – is not something one is not born with. It has to be acquired. You are not taught how to focus at school. You are supposed to concentrate on your studies, but you are never taught how to do that.
Did you ever calculate how much time, and how much energy is wasted every day, due to lack of focus? Did you think how much you could have achieved, if you used this lost time?
A focused mind is helpful at work, at home, and at school. It is essential for achieving goals and for creative visualization, and is vital for self-improvement, meditation and gaining inner peace.
Can you learn to focus your mind? Yes,you can teach your mind to focus. I am not talking about some kind of automatic programming of the mind. I am talking about developing a real ability, which you control and master, and use everywhere, at any time, and in all situations.
I have written quite a few articles about this subject, at the website, and at the blog, and soon I am going to publish my new eBook about the power of concentration, titled, “How to Focus Your Mind”.
Remez Sasson is an author and blogger. He is the founder of SuccessConsciousness.com, a website and blog about self improvement and spiritual growth.
Remez Sasson is the author of several life transforming books, containing a wealth of information, advice and guidance.
I am learning more each day of the power of concentration, especially while visualizing to manifest success into my life. The more we can focus and concentrate completely, the more blessing we can bring into our life. The information presented in this article is very helpful in increasing concentration. I appreciate it : )
Dear Remez,
Thank you for your article. I agree that concentration can be acquired. I have trained my mind to be more focused through mindfulness meditation. I think that by allowing the mind to settle down, the constant stream of thoughts will become less disruptive.
Charles A. Francis
The Mindfulness Meditation Institute
Thank you Joe for your comment. Concentration is one of the most important keys for success in every area of life.
Thank you Charles for your comment. I agree with you that concentration can be acquired. It is a skill that can be developed, like any other skill, provided one is willing to invest the necessary time and effort.
When I was very young, I used to focus very deeply, but when you get surrounded by so many things, it distracted us and affects us in many ways. If we are focused, half of the job is done.
Dolly
Dear Remez,
ALL your articles, which I have read so far are simply wonderful.
I am at peace now… thank you so much.
I will pass on your articles to my sister and all those i care for…
Thank you Kunal, for your positive feedback. Much appreciated.