By Remez Sasson
People often ask me, what they can do to improve their concentration. It seems that lack of concentration is a widespread problem, irrespective of age, sex or country.
People say about lack of concentration:
- I am battling to concentrate on one thing at a time.
- My thoughts often drift to the past or the future.
- I have a habit of starting something and not finishing it.
- I lack concentration. I am unable to focus my mind on one thing for more than a few seconds.
- I procrastinate.
- It is difficult for me to focus on my studies.
- It takes a great effort to read a book.
- I always change my mind, and I am unable to follow through with my decisions.
- I try to concentrate, but soon find myself thinking about something else.
These are just few of the things people say. The common thread of their words is that they lack concentration and are unable to focus their mind on one thing at a time. Their inability to focus their mind affects their work, relationships, school and almost everything else.
Sometimes, the problem is severe, and this condition might require medical attention and advice. However,if you are an average person, who lacks concentration, but have no health problems that are the cause of the inability to concentrate, you can start practicing concentration exercises. In addition, it would be advisable, if you also strengthen your willpower and self-discipline.
There is no short and simple way to overcome lack of concentration.
You can listen to relaxing music. You can repeat affirmations. You can use hypnosis. All this might help you to some extent. However, to overcome the lack of concentration you will need to do more. You will need to train your mind. The problem is that people often lack the willpower and motivation to begin and continue with the training.
If you decide to start with a training program, don’t give up, no matter how difficult this might be.
Even if your mind keeps wandering, and you feel that you are not making progress, it is okay. You are making progress, though you might not be aware of it yet. The progress might be minor in the beginning, but it is still progress. You are changing deep subconscious habits, and this sometimes takes time.
A drop of water falls on a rock, and it seems that nothing happened, but if another drop, and still another drop falls, in time the small drops can crack the rock.
I have already written many articles about concentration, which you can find at the website and blog. If you have anything to add, suggest or share about the lack of concentration and how to overcome it, you are welcome to add your comments to this post.
A wealth of practical information, tips, instructions, and exercises for strengthening your concentration and focusing your mind.
Learn to focus your mind, despite distracting thoughts, external disturbances, and noises.
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.
One thing that helps me stay focused and get things down is to promise myself a treat after the task is done. It gives me that little extra motivation to finish.
Hope this helps.
Staying focused for me is sometimes a problem. Ideas come into my head so fast sometimes and I want to do everything all at once. Meditating seems to help me. I also try remembering one step at a time and easy does it!
Your Blog is very aspirating. Thanks for having it.
Hello, I was looking for solutions to my short attention span problem
and the net lead me to this wonderful website.
do you have a forum regarding this problem?
I’m 22, and I really need to solve this because it is not helping with my life and work.
thank you
i have a tendeny to plan some thing but not able to execute it properly.plz help..
Hello Sandeep,
You need to develop some self discipline. This will help you to finish what you start and execute what you plan. Try practicing the exercises at
http://www.successconsciousness.com/willpower-self-discipline.html
Hi
i’m 19 years old and just come back from a maths examination. i have made some silly mistakes that the other students of my class never do. for the past five years those mistakes have worsen my maths grades. today i had to replace x=16 in an equation but instead of substituting 16 i replaced 12 though in my mind i was replacing 16 and i solved for a pont in coordinate geometry with the wrong line instead of the required one. i always realise my mistakes when i come back home and never in the exam room when i revise my paper. it is becoming very frustrating for me. please i need some advice here.
Thank you.
Hello Remez,
I was having problem in concentrating while reading and tried your excercises today. I am seeing some improvement. Do you have any books for improving the concentration and focusing the attention continuously?. I will be interested in purchasing the book. I have a doubt how long can a man concentrate continuously? Is it for 4 hours or 5 hours I am not able to do more than an hour my thoughts are wandering and I got disappointed. I am trying your excercises from today. I hope to see improvements.
Regards
Prabakar