Can you focus your mind?
Can you hold your attention fixed on one thought or activity without getting distracted for more than a few seconds?
Do you have a short attention span, or can you hold your attention fixed on one thought or activity for long minutes without getting distracted?
Let’s do an experiment to find out how much control you have over your mind.
Concentration Experiment
Hold a pencil in your hand, look at your watch to measure the time, and try to focus your full attention on the pencil. Look at it from all sides, trying to imprint its image on your mind.
The moment you discover that you lost your focus, look at your watch to measure the time.
How long can you focus on the pencil before your attention or your eyes wander somewhere else? Can you measure the time in minutes or just in a few seconds?
If you can measure the time in minutes, you are lucky, but if it is only seconds, you need to do something about your focus.
Try to do this exercise several times to become aware of how the mind wanders away.
Do You Lose Your Focus Often?
When you write a letter, read a book, or study for an examination, how many times do you stop and either think about unrelated topics or get up and do something else?
When learning a new skill, working, or doing anything else, do you focus on what you are doing, or does your mind wander to other matters?
Do you daydream and let your mind soar on the wings of your imagination when you need to do something important?
Are you absent minded in situations that require complete focus of mind?
Can you focus your mind on a task until you accomplish it, or do you go from one task to another, never completing any task on time?
Focus – concentration ability – mental focus – is not something one is not born with. It has to be acquired. You are not taught how to focus at school. You are supposed to concentrate on your studies, but you are never taught how to do that.
- Did you ever calculate how much time and how much energy you are wasting every day, due to lack of focus?
- Have you thought how much you could have achieved, if you could use your time more effectively time?
A focused mind is helpful at work, at home, and at school. It is essential for achieving goals and for creative visualization, and is vital for self-improvement, meditation and gaining inner peace.
Can You Learn to Focus Your Attention?
Is it possible to improve concentration, so you can be more focused at work, while reading and studying, and when performing tasks?
Yes, you can teach yourself to focus your attention and improve your focus. I am talking about developing a real ability, which you can control and master, and use everywhere, at any time, and in all situations.
Developing your concentration skills requires some training with concentration exercises. Are you willing to invest a few minutes every day in this project? It’s a great and important investment in yourself.
I have written quite a few articles about this topic, which you can read here, at this website.
I have also written a book with all the guidance needed for developing this ability, together with suitable exercises. Practicing the exercises, even just a few minutes a day, would make a difference in your life. The book is titled, Focus Your Attention.
