There seems to come a time during every business owner’s day when their concentration and ability to focus falters. For many, that low concentration time coincides with a midday dip in energy. Others have a difficult time getting started. And of course some struggle to concentrate all day long. Let’s explore some tried and true strategies to improve your concentration during a working day.
#1 Coffee or Tea – But Not Too Much
The morning coffee habit does more than wake you up; the caffeine will also help you to concentrate on your morning work. However, too much caffeine can make it more difficult to concentrate. Instead you feel jittery, anxious and a bit too energetic. You may need to test to determine how much caffeine is right for you. And of course if you don’t like coffee, tea offers a bit of caffeine, too.
Take care to not drink caffeine in the afternoon. While you may get a burst of energy and an ability to concentrate, you may also not sleep well that night. Caffeine consumed later in the day can affect your ability to fall and stay asleep. A poor night’s sleep will do nothing to help your ability to concentrate the following day.
#2 Exercise Regularly
Exercise stimulates blood flow. It also releases hormones that can help you stay energetic, focused and productive. When you exercise doesn’t matter as much as making sure you get regular exercise. Many experts recommend exercising first thing in the morning for lasting energy and focus. However, if your morning is normally your most productive time of the day, then this strategy doesn’t make sense.
It may make more sense to exercise when your energy and ability to concentrate begin to wane. For example, if you normally experience an energy dip in the afternoon, that may be the perfect time to exercise. And the good news is that exercise doesn’t mean you have to run five miles to receive the health and concentration benefits. Walk for ten or twenty minutes and you will feel refreshed and renewed.
#3 Watch What You Eat
You already know that the food you eat affects your health. It also affects your ability to concentrate. Consider conducting an experiment. Spend two or three days eating foods that do not support good concentration, such as foods that are high on the glycemic index, meaning they are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. They burn quickly in your body and cause your blood sugar to spike and subsequently plummet. Journal how you feel during those first two or three experimental days.
Next, spend two or three days eating fruits, vegetables, lean protein and complex carbohydrates. Don’t’ eat any junk food at all. Journal how your day differs. Chances are you will feel much more effective, productive and focused. Food has a very real effect on your ability to concentrate.
#4 Other Ideas
Other ways to improve your concentration during your workday include:
* Getting a good night’s sleep
* Maintaining a clean, clutter-free office
* Creating a daily task list and check items off as you go along
* Prioritizing tasks and working on one task at a time
* Taking frequent breaks – stretch and move your body during these breaks
The more you are able to focus, the more productive your working day will be. Productive days mean more profits and more satisfaction at work. Daily habits can make a world of difference.
