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How do I improve my focus?

6 replies

JaneOfGaunt · 09/01/2025 18:29

My focus is absolutely terrible these days. I'm waaay too reliant on my phone and in general just have a really hard time getting deep focus on anything. The final straw came when I got the latest Robert Galbraith book for Christmas - I was absolutely absorbed, spent lots of time thinking about what was going on when I wasn't reading it, etc - but still found myself mindlessly checking my phone really frequently when in the middle of a chapter! I really want to improve this.

I know there are basic things I could and should do - e.g., not having my phone in my bedroom (but I listen to Audible at night and jot down notes on my phone when I wake in the night having remembered something I have to do), put it away when working (but I sometimes need it for authenticator, etc), and so on. But does anyone have any tips beyond that? I'm childishly motivated by gamification (e.g., my new insurance requires me to have an app that monitors my driving and I've become obsessed with getting better scores each drive), so anything utilising that might help.

Is there anything more general I can do, like a course or some kind of brain training? I've not got on much with meditation or mindfulness because I love daydreaming too much - I guess that's not unrelated to my focus problem!

Any suggestions would be very welcome!

OP posts:
MercuryRising · 09/01/2025 18:58

Hi. I just wanted to voice some solidarity I am also quite reliant/borderline addicted to my phone so will be watching for suggestions.
I have since new year begun reading before bed instead of doom scrolling which I think is a positive step

JaneOfGaunt · 09/01/2025 20:14

MercuryRising · 09/01/2025 18:58

Hi. I just wanted to voice some solidarity I am also quite reliant/borderline addicted to my phone so will be watching for suggestions.
I have since new year begun reading before bed instead of doom scrolling which I think is a positive step

Definitely - I've been doing this, but still have my phone in my bedroom so keep checking it whilst reading ... need to start doing this properly!

OP posts:
Nobodyknowsitall · 09/01/2025 20:37

I'm so bad for this aswell. Following to see tips.

StMarie4me · 09/01/2025 20:40

Omega 3! Works wonders for me

Cryingatthegym · 09/01/2025 21:09

I think breaking the phone addiction is key. Also here for tips because I have no idea how and I'm so, so bad for scrolling at the moment.

FusionChefGeoff · 09/01/2025 21:16

I've started plugging phone in downstairs overnight.

Use watch / Alexa for alarm
Notebook and pen for notes
Read a book
Alexa for meditation / sleep music

It's my first step! Just going up now so this is my last post and won't have phone now until 7am.

Once this is a habit, I'm going to try leaving it in the kitchen after dinner.

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