Ensure Your Success: Set SMART Goals Grantham University identifies what it means to set SMART goals. Personal Goal Setting Key points of goal setting include setting lifetime goals, breaking larger goals into smaller ones.

This online resource from MindTools provides many good strategies and tips on the topics of goal setting and motivation. The Ultimate Guide to Motivation Perseverance and motivation are keys to success, however motivation can be difficult to find.

This article from ZenHabits provides some great concrete tips for bolstering motivation! Goal Setting and Accountability "Students who set goals for themselves tend to do better in school.

Set a goal and tell a friend that you'll read this article before the end of the week!! It is well worth it! Explaining How To Set Smart Goals Motivation, Episode 4, Indiana University To build motivation it is good to reflect on it. Think about what initially motivated you to study your particular qualification.

Was it for example - to progress your career? Or get a better job? Chances are these are still your motives, you just need to rediscover them. In the context of setting objectives, which is an important element in motivation, you may want to consider these points:. Framing your objectives in a positive way can really help.

For example, stating what you want, rather than don't want, works on the basis that the brain struggles to deal with negatives. Combine this with point 3, passing is not in your control but working harder and practicing exam questions is, and you have a very powerful tool to improve your motivation.

When we explore our motivation one of the things we see often is people putting things off. If you find yourself doing this, then I would challenge you to question it. Run through the following questions:. This ultimately might lead you to pause your studies indefinitely.

If you come to this realisation and it's not what you want, then it might cause you to think about alternative ways to study - the most obvious being online. So the challenging questions above are just designed to try and avoid making the wrong decisions. Are you always paying attention?

Are you fully engaged with your studies? When we multitask, for instance, we give only brief attention to one thing and then to another. These may help with blood flow to the brain, which will supply the brain cells with more oxygen and again these are anti-inflammatory, so they help the brain function optimally.

Any foods such as ripe bananas look out for brown spots on the skin or sunflower seeds are high in dopamine - a brain chemical involved in increasing motivation and concentration. Bananas are also high in potassium, a mineral which is crucial for keeping your brain, nerves, and heart in tip-top shape.

We all know that caffeine is great for energy , but it is actually good for concentration and motivation, too. Green tea and dark chocolate are the best sources, as these contain specific anti-oxidants called polyphenols that improve brain function and decrease cell death.

Caffeine also helps to increase dopamine levels.

What are some signs of burnout? Turning on music while working or studying may help increase concentration, but this will depend on the individual. What are some more benefits of music? The foods you eat can affect cognitive functions like concentration and memory.

To boost concentration, avoid processed foods, too much sugar, and very greasy or fatty foods. You can find more brain foods on this list. Staying hydrated can also have a positive impact on concentration. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus or remember information.

Eating breakfast can help by boosting your focus first thing in the morning. Oatmeal, plain yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain toast with eggs are all good breakfast choices. Which foods can help if you have depression? If you feel your concentration starting to drop, consider a cup of coffee or green tea.

A study found evidence to suggest phytochemicals naturally found in matcha, a type of green tea, not only improve cognitive function but can help promote relaxation.

So matcha may be a good option if coffee makes you feel jittery or on edge. How does caffeine affect your body? Some supplements may help promote concentration and improve brain function.

However, there is not enough research to confirm that these supplements are effective or safe for everyone. Also, the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate supplements. This means you cannot be sure of the precise ingredients or how supplements will interact with other drugs.

Always check with a doctor before trying any supplements, especially if you have any health conditions or allergies. Which supplements can help you focus better? Concentration workouts often help children who have trouble focusing.

This mental workout involves fully devoting attention to an activity for a set period of time. After completing one of the activities, ask your child to write a short summary or sketch how they felt during the experience. Young children can simply use words to describe their feelings. Talking about where they lost concentration and how they managed to refocus can help them develop these skills for use in daily tasks.

Multitasking has become part of daily life. It seems a good way to get a lot done, but some scientists have questioned this. Studies have suggested that we are not as good at multitasking as we like to think we are. For one thing, the brain is not designed to cope with doing two or more things at once.

What we are actually doing is switching from one task to another. If you have the chance to tackle one thing at a time, you might find you can concentrate better on each of them. Blocking off time for specific tasks can help you focus on one thing at a time and lower the risk of environmental distractions.

Setting time limits can also help you channel your energy toward the task in hand because you know the time you can or need to spend on it is limited.

Researchers looking for ways to help people overcome these challenges have suggested the following tips :. The Marinara Timer, for example, encourages a person to work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.

After four blocks of 25 minutes, the person will take a minute break. This way, you can focus fully on a task for the allotted time and do something else in the breaks. These allow you to set a goal to not use your phone. If you use the phone too soon, the tree will die. Other apps allow you to set goals for specific sites each day, such as the news or social media.

Trouble concentrating can relate to things going on around you. Common causes include interruptions from co-workers, distractions from your roommates or family members, or social media notifications. Some common ones include:.

What is stopping me from focusing? Sometimes it takes a trained professional to notice these symptoms. Many adults living with untreated ADHD have trouble concentrating or focusing their attention for long periods of time. A mental health professional can help diagnose this or any other condition and help you get started on treatment.

Therapy, medication, and other treatment approaches can help improve your symptoms once you have a diagnosis. Some people use prescription or recreational drugs, such as nootropics, to improve their focus, but some of these can have severe adverse effects.

Some ways to improve concentration may work well, while others may not seem to do much for you. Consider giving a range of approaches a try to see what helps. Experts still debate the benefits of certain methods, such as brain training. But existing evidence suggests most of these tips can promote at least modest improvements in concentration for many people.

Just make sure to talk to your doctor if focusing is very hard. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY.

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Well-Being. Medically reviewed by Danielle Wade, LCSW — By Crystal Raypole — Updated on May 31, Brain training Video games Sleep Exercise Nature Meditation Break Music Diet Caffeine Supplements Concentration workout Avoid multitasking Set a timer Conditions Other treatments Takeaway Share on Pinterest.

Train your brain. Get your game on. Improve sleep. Make time for exercise. Spend time in nature. Give meditation a try. Take a break. Listen to music. Vary your diet. Drink caffeine. Try supplements. Useful supplement shopping guides How to Choose High Quality Vitamins and Supplements How to Read Supplement Labels Like a Pro.

Was this helpful? Do a concentration workout. Avoid multitasking. Set a timer. Conditions that affect concentration.

The purpose of this research is to study how sound can be used to influence the teaching and learning environment and to enhance their concentration and motivation to learn. A conceptual framework will be designed to aid and guide the understanding of the relationship between sound and cognitive improvements.

Download article PDF. Series: Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. home preface articles authors organizers publishing information. Email: tamimfaruq. azmi mmu. Corresponding Author. Muhammad Tamim Faruq Khairul Ázmi.

The purpose of this research is to study how sound can be used to influence the teaching and learning environment and to enhance their concentration and motivation to learn.

A conceptual framework will be designed to aid and guide the understanding of the relationship between sound and cognitive improvements. Download article PDF. Series: Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research.

home preface articles authors organizers publishing information. Email: tamimfaruq. azmi mmu. Corresponding Author.

Muhammad Tamim Faruq Khairul Ázmi. Personal Goal Setting Key points of goal setting include setting lifetime goals, breaking larger goals into smaller ones. This online resource from MindTools provides many good strategies and tips on the topics of goal setting and motivation.

The Ultimate Guide to Motivation Perseverance and motivation are keys to success, however motivation can be difficult to find. This article from ZenHabits provides some great concrete tips for bolstering motivation! Goal Setting and Accountability "Students who set goals for themselves tend to do better in school.

Set a goal and tell a friend that you'll read this article before the end of the week!! It is well worth it! Explaining How To Set Smart Goals Motivation, Episode 4, Indiana University SMART Goals - Quick Overview, DecisionSkills.

com Student Employment and Career Centre SECC Image Credit: Public Doman, Pixaby, Take a career assessment survey such as the Meyer Briggs Type Indicator or Strengths Finder offered through the U Sask Student Employment and Career Centre.

Contact Us Maps Tell Us Library A to Z Follow on Facebook Follow on Twitter Follow on YouTube Follow on Instagram University of Saskatchewan. Report a problem. Tags: academic advice , learning , new student , student learning services , students , study Skills , University of Saskatchewan , usask.

Sometimes it seems like our collective attention span has been completely shot by social media and the constant stream of new content. Luckily, there are many great focus apps that will block access to distracting websites for set periods of time to eliminate potential distractions that might interrupt your work flow.

A time management tool like Clockwise can help you stay focused and motivated by giving you space in your calendar to focus on what matters. Blocking out distractions can also be as simple as closing the door to your office or investing in noise-cancelling headphones.

The goal, should you choose to accept it, is to get into a flow state. Your sense of focus becomes effortless, although the task or activity itself might be challenging or difficult. However, there are things you can do to make it more likely that will achieve flow.

Being pulled in five different directions at once is detrimental to focus and motivation. A smart calendar assistant can find those crucial blocks of time for you and open up the space you need for creative thinking.

Clockwise will automatically batch together your meetings and other commitments to free up time for focused work. Protecting your time means protecting your focus. A timeboxing app can also help boost your motivation. Think of a timeboxing app as a task management tool with built-in time-tracking features—a productivity tool with teeth.

It will help you figure out how long you are spending on tasks so you can adjust your calendar accordingly. Plus, having a specific goal or work task for a particular time slot can help increase focus, like giving yourself a mini-deadline for completing important tasks.

Rather than pushing forward and forcing yourself to focus on a task, consider taking a short break in your work day to stretch, grab a sparkling water from the fridge, or otherwise move your body. Our culture puts a huge premium on looking busy, but taking breaks can actually make you more productive , not less.

Remember, this is not about pushing through even when you are struggling to focus. This is about best practices that will sustain your mental health in the long-run. If you have the time, go for a walk. Walking for just ten minutes can boost creativity.

Talk to a friend or colleague. Human beings take our social and emotional cues from other people. Go talk to them. Brief, casual social connection is a key factor for mental health.

Meditate or daydream. You might be thinking, how am I supposed to meditate at work? If you can, build it into your day. Mental health apps like Headspace and Calm have minute meditations for busy people.

Meditation can increase focus and boost higher levels of concentration , which is great news for your brain and your productivity. Help someone else solve a problem. This one might seem counterintuitive, but when you help others solve their problems it can often help you approach your own problems with new ideas.

Plus, taking on the role of expert or helper will help you see your value and feel good about yourself. Offer to help a colleague with a tough email. Volunteer to take out the trash.

These small actions can make a big difference in your mental well-being and that in turn can have a positive effect on your focus and motivation. Hopefully some of these strategies will help you get back on track. Remember to take care of yourself. Read next: 4 ADHD time management strategies that actually work.

As the founder of Wild Hearted Words, a creative marketing agency for global brands, Judy is also a mentor with the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed accelerator. Follow along her journey at WildHeartedWords. Login Get started for free.

Photo by. Start by identifying your motivation Look at the big picture to figure out what motivates you.

Or get a better job? Chances are these are still your motives, you just need to rediscover them. In the context of setting objectives, which is an important element in motivation, you may want to consider these points:.

Framing your objectives in a positive way can really help. For example, stating what you want, rather than don't want, works on the basis that the brain struggles to deal with negatives. Combine this with point 3, passing is not in your control but working harder and practicing exam questions is, and you have a very powerful tool to improve your motivation.

When we explore our motivation one of the things we see often is people putting things off. If you find yourself doing this, then I would challenge you to question it. Run through the following questions:. This ultimately might lead you to pause your studies indefinitely.

If you come to this realisation and it's not what you want, then it might cause you to think about alternative ways to study - the most obvious being online. So the challenging questions above are just designed to try and avoid making the wrong decisions.

Are you always paying attention? Are you fully engaged with your studies? When we multitask, for instance, we give only brief attention to one thing and then to another. What it does is effectively tire us out, because attention is a limited resource. Confidence is a feeling of self-assurance, arising from an appreciation of your own abilities.

One of the features of classroom based learning is that it is scheduled. So students don't have the chance to think about whether they are ready. It is predetermined. But when it is all down to you, you have to find ways to build your confidence.

The reason for doing a mock, for instance, is to give you the experience of sitting the exam. The mark you receive is secondary.

By simulating the process the uncertainty as to what the exam will be like is reduced. It's about building your confidence. Confidence is not something we are gifted at birth.

It is something to be developed and is incredibly important in helping you perform to the best of your abilities.