No phone is ringing. No email dinging. No reminder chiming.
Utter focus on one single task. When was the last time you concentrated like that?
Concentrating is direction your attention. To something. Away from something else.
By definition, that means you can only concentrate on one thing at the time.
Multitasking is a myth.
No matter how hard you try, you can not do two things at the same time.
That is, two things that require your attention. You can walk and talk at the same time, but only because walking is so automatic that it doesn’t require attention. As soon as it does - a dangerous traffic situation or tricky surface - you stop talking. To concentrate.
But working and chatting? Writing and scrolling? Listening and emailing? Nope.
Concentrate on one thing. Leave the rest. Concentrate on that another time. Concentration is good for you: it not only improves productivity and performance, but also your sense of accomplishment and pride.
How do you concentrate better? Mindfulness and daydreaming.
- Practicing mindfulness is the ultimate form of concentration: bringing your thoughts back when they start to wonder. If you do it regularly, it will help you concentrate better.
- Daydreaming is your mind’s way of relaxing. Taking a break from concentrating. Recharging for a next bout of focus.
So turn off all the distractions. Concentrate on one thing.
Like #Vermeer’s milkmaid on display in Amsterdam’s #rijksmuseum.
You won’t spill a drop.
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