What is Concentration
As we try to deal with the increasing amount of information in the world and increasing demands on our time, it becomes increasingly difficult to concentrate. As a result, it seems we’re increasingly hearing the word “concentration”, or similar words like focusing the mind, controlling the mind, and mindfulness. But as often as we hear the word concentration, what is it really?
“Concentration is the ability to direct one’s attention in accordance with one’s will. It means control of the attention. It is the ability to focus the mind on one subject, object or thought, and at the same time
exclude from the mind every other unrelated thoughts, ideas, feelings and sensations” … “Concentration is a state, in which one’s whole attention is engrossed in one thing only, and being oblivious to everything else. During concentration, the mind focuses on the object of concentration,
and only one thought occupies the mind. The whole energy of the mind becomes concentrated on this one thought.”Causes of Poor Concentration
Difficulty concentrating is a normal and periodic occurrence for most people. Tiredness and emotional stress can cause concentration problems in most people. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menopause or pregnancy, can also affect how we think and concentrate. Concentration problems, when present to an excessive degree, are also characteristic of certain physical and psychological conditions. The hallmark condition associated with difficulty concentrating is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that has been increasingly diagnosed in both children an adults in recent years. Rare conditions that affect the brain and some emotional problems as well as endocrinologic disturbances can also influence an individual’s cognitive functions and thus impair concentration.
Strategies to Improve Your Concentration
Staying on task can be difficult, but it can be particularly challenging when you are surrounded by constant distractions. In today’s always-connected world, diversions are nothing more than a click away, which makes it that much more difficult to figure out how to focus.
Even during quiet moments, distraction is literally at your fingertips as you find yourself checking your social media notifications or the latest news updates.
But being mentally focused is essential for success. The ability to concentrate on something in your environment and direct mental effort toward it is critical for learning new things, achieving goals, and performing well across a wide variety of situations.
Whether you are trying to finish a report at work or competing in a marathon, your ability to focus can mean the difference between success and failure.
- Evaluate How Mentally Focused You Are
- Eliminate Distractions
- Limit Your Focus
- Live in the Moment
- Practice Mindfulness
- Take a Short Break
- Keep Practicing