Learning to Focus in the Age of Distraction

As we begin a new semester and new year, many of us look for the opportunity to flush out old, unsuccessful habits and begin the difficult task of creating ones that we can sustain over the long haul and feel good about the positive results from doing them.

Source

Many college students have a hard time staying focused on whatever they're doing because they have so much going on at once.  Research papers, presentations and midterms are mixed in with off-campus responsibilities which are equally important.   Deadlines creep up on us, and WHAM!  We wonder where the time went.  We ask ourselves why we didn't manage things better.  Again.

Change is hard.  Change is not always fun.  But if we continue doing the same thing time and time again and we're not producing the positive outcomes we want, something has to change.  There's no way around it.

Below is a mind-map which gives some solid ideas for helping one to focus and increase productivity by breaking down these tasks into small and manageable ones.  People tend to stick with making a new habit when it doesn't feel overwhelming.   I like how the graphic provides baby steps to take, and thought some of us (myself included) could benefit from a little direction.

Mindmap Source

Let me know if you found this helpful in any way…feedback is ALWAYS welcome.  Good luck this semester!



Images courtesy of Google Images unless otherwise noted.
(c) Robyn M. King. All Rights Reserved.