Let’s be honest: staying focused is hard. Between constant phone notifications, a never-ending to-do list, and a brain that randomly reminds you to check that one website or reorganize your entire closet — it’s no wonder your attention span feels like it’s in survival mode.
In a world that’s always “on,” deep focus has become a rare superpower. But the good news? It’s something you can train. With just a few simple shifts, you can start creating an environment — and mindset — that supports better concentration and less distraction.
Whether you’re studying, working from home, or trying to finish that creative project, here are some easy and effective ways to improve your focus:
How to Improve Your Focus
✈️ 1. Use Airplane Mode (or Do Not Disturb)
Your phone is your biggest focus killer — even if you think you’re good at ignoring it. A single message or notification can pull your brain out of deep work and make it 10x harder to get back in.
Try putting your phone on airplane mode or Do Not Disturb when you’re working. If you need it for music or timers, just silence all alerts. Bonus tip: place it out of sight (yes, even turning it face down helps!). But my best advice it to put it away and when you want to listen to music, you can use Cds/Vinyl or when you are working on your laptop/computer, just put Spotify on in the background.
⏱️ 2. Try the Pomodoro Technique
If you find yourself zoning out quickly, the Pomodoro Technique can be a game-changer. Here’s how it works:
- Work for 25 minutes or longer
- Take a 5-minute break
- After 4 sessions, take a longer break (15–30 minutes)
These short bursts help you stay sharp without burning out. Set a timer, choose one task, and see how much you can get done in just 25 minutes. There are so many Pomodoro videos on YouTube you can use, some use also background music, while others don’t. With some of the videos you work for 25 and then take a five minute break, other videos let you focus for 50 minutes and then give you a 10 minute break. I personally use the 50/10, because once you are working, 25 minutes is very short.
🌞 3. Work During Your Peak Focus Hours
Not everyone is built for 9-to-5 productivity. Some people focus best in the early morning, others come alive at night. Pay attention to when your brain feels clearest and most energized — and try to schedule your most important work during those hours. I like to work in the morning. If I had a good night of sleep, I definitely have the best focus in the morning. I can get a lot things done in the morning. Which is nice, because when I am done, I still have the rest of the day to myself.
Protect that time like it’s a meeting with your future self.
🔁 4. Alternate Between Task Types
Working on the same thing for hours can actually make your focus worse. If you’re starting to feel mentally drained, switch to a different type of task. Alternate between creative work and admin tasks, screen work and paper tasks, thinking and doing.
This keeps your brain engaged without overwhelming it.
💧 5. Drink Enough Water
It sounds too simple, but dehydration affects focus more than most people realize. Even mild dehydration can make you feel tired, foggy, and distracted. Keep a glass or bottle of water next to you and make a habit of sipping regularly — not just when you’re thirsty. I seriously bought a fake Stanley Cup for this. I don’t have to get up to get water all the time. The water is in my reach. Although it could be nice to get up every now and then and stretch your legs.
📓 6. Use a “Later List” Notebook
Ever sit down to work and suddenly remember five other things you have to do right now? That’s your brain trying to multitask (bad idea). Keep a notebook or digital note nearby. Whenever you think of something that isn’t urgent but is distracting you, jot it down. You won’t forget it — and your brain can stop holding onto it. So when you are working and you suddenly realize you have to buy something at the grocery store, you just write it down. You can stop worrying about it.
🎧 7. Create a Focus-Friendly Soundtrack
Some people work best in silence, others thrive with music. If you’re easily distracted by background noise, try instrumental playlists, lo-fi beats, ambient soundscapes, or white noise. Apps like Brain.fm or Noisli are great for creating a sound environment that helps you concentrate. Personally, I like to listen to slower slongs by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and other artists. I have a whole playlist with slower songs and it really helps me to stay focused and because I use headphones, noises outside can’t distract me.
🧹 8. Clear Visual Clutter
Messy spaces can overwhelm your senses without you even realizing it. A clear desk = a clearer mind.
You don’t need to deep clean your entire room, but take 5 minutes to tidy up your workspace before diving into a task. It’s a small reset that can have a big impact. Every morning, after I wake up, I am make sure I clean up everything. Literally anything can distract me. So the less stuff I have around, the less I get distracted.
🕯️ 9. Create a Focus Ritual
Train your brain to know when it’s time to concentrate. This could be as simple as:
- Lighting a candle
- Putting on a specific playlist
- Making a cup of tea
- Wearing your “focus hoodie”
Over time, these little rituals create a mental cue: it’s time to work.
🛏️ 10. Don’t Underestimate Sleep
No productivity hack will help if your brain is running on empty. Lack of sleep affects your memory, concentration, and decision-making. Aim for 7–9 hours a night and protect your bedtime the way you protect your work meetings. I am familiar with sleeping problems, I had to create a whole relaxing evening routine for myself so I could finally have a good night of sleep. But when you have insomnia you realize how important sleep is. If I don’t get enough sleep, I make terrible decisions, I am less productive (I barely get anything done), my mood isn’t that great. Getting enough quality sleep every night is so important.
By mixing these strategies into your daily routine, you’ll start noticing your ability to focus improves — not because you’re forcing it, but because you’re finally supporting it.
Let your attention span thrive. It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing what matters with more presence.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash