Obstacles for Concentration

Our ability to concentrate has a dramatic impact on the efficiency with which we do anything, even on the way we view and live our life.

In the present day, our lifestyle enables and expects us to multi task constantly, to try to achieve more and more.

The brain continues to be “plastic” all our life. we can decide to improve your concentration and in doing so we actually stimulate the growth of new brain cells.

The common Obstacles for concentration are:

1. Distraction: this can be both internal (such as the voice in our head, day dreaming) and external- the phone, other people, noises outside etc.
   One way of training your self to focus is the STOP! Method. Whenever you feel a stray thought encroaching on your concentration, say STOP! To bring your attention back quickly.

2. Procrastination: the reasons for procrastination are poor time management, fear of failing or simply finding the task boring.
   Start each day with five minute's planning- make a list of what needs doing first and include only those things that need to be done that day. Note also the minor tasks such as making a phone call or paying a bill, so thoughts about them would not distract you.

3. Multitasking: By switching between tasks you can end up concentrating on the process of concentrating, rather than the actual tasks themselves. Worse, this constant flipping carries a degree of stress and elevated levels of stress hormones can be harmful.
   
   
4. Negative Thinking: Our brains are programmed for this, born of a primal need to identify threats. But it can be self-defeating if it prevents you from finishing the task. Unhelpful thoughts include the belief that any mistake will spell disaster, that some thing bad that's happened before is bound to happen again, or confusing the task (and its success or failure) with your own identity.
   Learning to identify negative thoughts can help you recognize them for what they are and push them aside.