How I focus

This was originally posted on thescri.be on 28 September 2006 and was imported here from the Internet Archive on 18 December 2025. After reading someone's blog the other day (I seem to have lost the link) I made a note to look into the ways in which I focus. As a student I've all sorts of (mostly pleasant) things to distract me from my work and after a bit of thinking it seems I force myself to focus by using the following tricks: - Inboxes – I carry a Notebook in my bag and some index cards in my pocket for scribbling down anything which comes into my head. I've a big inbox on my desk and an inbox folder on my laptop to collect these ideas and thoughts. Doing this keeps my head clear. - Sound canceling headphones – I use these when working in the Library at college or when I'm in a public place trying to do something. - Listen to music – I listen to either calm repetitive "Easy Listening" music, or some good classical stuff. Anything else and I get too involved in listening to it. - Close Applications – I close every application except iTunes, Minuteur, kGTD and the app I'm working in. - Fresh Air – I keep a window open, which not only circulates fresh air but keeps the room at a pretty cool temperature. - Drink tea, drink water. – I drink plenty of water (2ltrs per day) and I always have a pot of Chinese tea by me when I'm working. It helps me think. (A cup of caffeinated tea is a good way to wake me up if I'm a little groggy.) - Take regular breaks – I take time out to sit, smoke and think about what I'm doing. - Compete – I make sure I compete with myself. Dave Seah's PCEO works well for that. I also have my own system for judging how well I'm doing today. So, how do you focus on the task in hand?