The more we concentrate when working, the more
easily and quickly we can accomplish a task. Read on to find out how you can
focus even more effectively on your work.
1. Concentration through control
As is the case with all mental/psychological performance factors, the ability
to control one's agitation or stress levels plays a key role. Agitation
increases a person’s attentiveness and prepares them for doing what they have
to do. However, if this agitation becomes
excessive, this will in most cases have a disastrous effect. A “black-out” during an important presentation,
stuttering when giving a talk or even sudden failure during an important
sporting competition can result. The more
desperately a person tries to control their fear, the more agitated they
become. As a rule, this will only make the situation worse. The good news is that control, like many things
in life, can be learnt or at least practiced.
2. Do what you do!
The best way to achieve this control is to avoid one key mistake, namely living
in the past or in the future. In reality, you should focus on one point in time
only – the present moment – here and now.
This principle mirrors a wise old saying from Zen Buddhism – “Do what you do!”
3. All or nothing
If we focus all our attention on what we are doing at a particular point in
time, we will be able to achieve our objectives much better, much more easily
and much more quickly. We will also be much more relaxed, which means the whole
experience will be much more enjoyable. Distracting, negative thoughts suddenly
disappear too – disruptive thoughts which considerably impair concentration,
distorting our view and confusing us.
Even if this does not work every time, we will always feel a moment of
happiness if at least some of these disruptive thoughts disappear. It makes us
feel more calm and relaxed, gives us strength and stamina, trains our
concentration and boosts our memory in particular. If we are to achieve this
ideal condition as often as possible and make the most of our potential, we
need to recognize barriers to performance as distractions early on and
eliminate them wherever possible.
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