- Keep your smartphone away from you.
Constant notifications, calls, and messages can disrupt your focus—even briefly—and make it harder to return to your work. Every sound from a notification or call causes your brain to be distracted, and you become less productive as a result. For example, if you’re working on an important task or writing an article, place your phone in another room or at least out of sight. You’ll be less tempted to check messages and better able to fully concentrate on what you’re doing. The same principle applies at home: if you’re taking time to rest, simply switch off your phone or leave it elsewhere. This simple method not only helps you avoid distractions, but also significantly boosts productivity—because every time you resist the urge to reach for your phone, you’re preserving energy and attention for what truly matters.
- Change your environment regularly.
A change of scenery is a simple but effective way to avoid monotony and maintain mental clarity. When you work in the same surroundings day after day, your brain gradually adapts and stops perceiving that environment as stimulating. This can lead to reduced concentration, increased fatigue, and even emotional burnout. On the other hand, even small changes in your surroundings can help “reset” the mind and bring a sense of freshness to your work. For example, if you work from home, try moving between rooms, working near a window, or occasionally taking your laptop to a café or library. If you work in a fixed office, rearrange your workspace, rotate meeting locations, or hold short working sessions outdoors. These micro-adjustments help your brain break out of autopilot mode, activate new sensory stimuli, and offer a fresh perspective on familiar tasks. As a result, focus improves, productivity increases, and feelings of fatigue decrease.
However, sometimes even a change of scenery isn’t enough to fully offset the effects of poor sleep or chronic mental strain. At such times, when it is important to stay focused and overcome daytime sleepiness, especially when travelling or working intensively, it is worth considering taking drugs such as Modafinil or Waklert. They help maintain mental clarity and productivity, even when the body’s natural resources are temporarily depleted.
- Use the ‘postponement technique’.
This technique involves resisting the urge to immediately respond to every thought, temptation, or distraction that arises while you’re working. Instead, you postpone it and keep your attention on the main task. For example, while working on a project, you might suddenly remember the message someone or check the news. Rather than acting on it right away, jot the thought down in a note or list—and return to your task. This way, you don’t forget anything important, but you also don’t let random impulses disrupt your productivity. This method strengthens self-discipline and builds the habit of finishing what you start.
- Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Your environment has a direct impact on your motivation, emotional state, and ability to stay focused. When you spend time with people who inspire you, think big, or simply maintain healthy habits, your attention naturally shifts toward growth and productivity. For example, if you’re trying to focus on learning or personal development, meeting with a friend who reads a lot, runs interesting projects, or demonstrates strong self-discipline can help you refocus on what matters. Even a brief conversation or exchange of ideas with such a person can lift your mood and boost motivation. This kind of communication helps not only to keep attention, but also to create certain attitudes for yourself. You begin to value your time more, choose more meaningful conversations, and seek out higher-quality information sources.
- Engage in different types of physical activity.
Physical exercise not only strengthens your body but also has a direct effect on brain function: it increases oxygen supply to neurons and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that regulate attention, mood, and mental clarity. For example, alternating cardio with strength training, or combining yoga with swimming or cycling, provides diverse stimuli to the brain, helping to train adaptability, quicker task switching, and sustained focus. Sports that require coordination and concentration—such as tennis, martial arts, or team games—are especially effective. They keep your brain alert, require real-time decision-making, and train rapid responses.
- Write most information by hand.
At first glance, this might seem like an outdated method, but handwriting activates deeper cognitive processes. When you write by hand, your brain processes information more slowly, which helps you better understand, reflect on, and retain it. This is a different kind of focus: instead of mindlessly typing, you’re engaging your motor skills, vision, and thinking all at once. That’s why keeping a paper notebook or journal is a great exercise in concentration. For instance, if you’re attending a lecture or reading a book, try taking notes by hand instead of on a laptop. After just 10–15 minutes, you’ll likely notice improved comprehension and fewer distractions. The same applies to to-do lists, planners, or personal notes—writing them by hand helps you immerse yourself in the process and block out external noise. Since handwriting naturally slows you down, it helps organize your thoughts, focus better, and regain control of your attention in a digital world.
