Originally published on theodysseyonline.com
During such incalculable times as the present, dedicated concentration can be challenging to find. However, it is a critical and necessary life skill to be able to focus intensely to reach high levels of productivity.
Dr. Kevin Dalby, Austin, Texas-established professor with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organic Chemistry, is all too familiar with the crucially powerful skill of falling into deep concentration, especially during his time of research. While working in the College of Pharmacy and Department of Oncology at The University of Texas, Dalby has seen the struggles students have when it comes to productivity output. He shares three essential rules to concentrate more intensely to increase performance.
1. Eliminate Technology
When you are finding your focus, simplify the journey by eliminating technology. Beautiful things can happen when you separate yourself from constant communication, such as an increase in concentration and productivity level.
If you have never tried before, allow yourself thirty minutes without your phone. Choose a task that you will mentally dedicate your time to during that period. It is common to have a frequent reaction to want to pick up your phone to power it up and check it. Benefit yourself in the long run by practicing mental resilience. You will find the longer you fight through, and the more times you leave technology behind, the less you will even crave to have a phone.
This strategy is also great to consider when taking thirty minutes or an hour to prepare before a presentation.
2. Tune In to Tune Out
Put on a pair of headphones and allow yourself to tune into your work and tune out the world. Prepare for your concentration sessions by creating a proactive playlist to get you in the zone and keep you there. You can try mind-stimulating genres like classical music. For those who cannot concentrate while listening to music, and need little to no noise, still consider wearing headphones or earbuds. Even if you keep the music off, having headphones on lets the rest of the world know not to bother or distract you and will help with dimming surrounding noise.
When you want noise but no music, consider white noise or nature sounds. You can get the most out of your time with your headphones by finding your focus niche, or a place where you know you can reach a high level of concentration. Create an atmosphere that means business, and it will automatically help you mentally get right to center on your workflow.
3. Breath
It sounds simple, and it is! Breathing has more benefits than you might think when it comes to getting in the zone. That is why meditation starts with the breath. When you take a moment to breathe deeply and concentrate on just your breathing, you will realize that breathing better is the easiest stress-relieving and mind-enhancing exercise. Try five minutes of meditation before starting a project to help spark your focus fire.
About Kevin Dalby:
Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy, Department of Oncology at The University of Texas in Austin. Kevin Dalby has been interested in the "why" of chemical reactions since he was a student at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organic Chemistry. This has led to his interest in the processes of cell signaling, and ultimately to cancer research.