How do stay focused while working, with out opening other tabs or your mind wandering?

Stephanie U.
It’s really hard, so instead of telling myself I’m going to do nothing but focus and not play at all I give myself measured breaks. “After 15 mins of work I can play my game for 5 minutes.” If my phone addiction is getting really bad I delete the biggest time wasting apps and put a coloring book in front of me. That allows me to disengage and take mental micro breaks, but won’t lock me into digital paralysis.
J Lia P.
I use stayfocusd to block distracting sites and save open tabs to my reading list. As for the mind wandering, it takes practice, if it's tasks I'm thinking about I just write them down, if I have some other issue worrying me, Journaling helps figure it out and take it off my mind
Jackson I.
To close the phone and all the Alerts and notifications , put a Playlist, having candy and something to drink (like tea) nearby, put a timer.
Lana I.
I’ve had the same issue for a long time. A tactic that helped me is putting on a timer ( maybe a study with me video ), getting something to drink and working somewhere we’re there’s a lot of sunlight ( or a nice view ). Work as hard as you can for as long as you can. Every time your mind drifts away, you see how many minutes you lasted. Try adding 5 minutes to that specific time every day ( for up to 2-3 hours )
Elisabeth N.
I like to reward myself with relaxing things like an extra hour of Netflix or with my hobbies. The space that I am trying to focus in is always only dedicated to doing work. I also switch tasks often. If I finish a pomodoro timer and got enough done, after my quick break I will switch to another task of a different difficulty level. I hope that you’ve found this useful!
Zge Q.
Well I am also struggling with it, but in my case, I prefer listening to instrumental music. It helps me blocking the distracting environment and my endless thoughts. Try it for yourself and over time you can understand which kind of music helps you to focus on your work/study.
Niklas U.
It may help to work with a timer. Commit yourself to really focus on the work for 25 Minutes and set the timer. Try to get as much focused work done in this short period as possible. Take a short break afterwards. Then repeat. If that‘s even to much, maybe start with ten minutes. That helped me.
Izzah N.
hmmmm, i also having the same problem with u. but, let's try to switch off our phone and focus during online class. if u want to open other tabs, imagine your kindest ( if u have ) teacher's face, how he or she would be disappointed.
Christa N.
Two solutions come to mind:
The one that helps me most is visualizing my work. Our brain works in pictures. It doesn’t understand the word ‘don’t’ or ‘yes or no’, because they don’t have an image attached. Example: ‘Don’t think of the Eiffel Tower!’ What do you see in your mind? I bet it’s the Eiffel Tower. Our brain is so powerful, imagine what you DO want not what you don’t because you will get more of what you picture. To get back to your question, picture what it will look like when it’s done. Break down the steps in your head first and start. Just focus on the first step, not the whole thing just the first step, then think of the next step hopefully in picture. Keep your brain occupied with what’s next vs the tabs that randomly open.
Second solution: have a clean (clutter free) environment, tackle one thing and have a note pad next to you. As soon as a tab opens, write it down and get back to your task. I use both solutions in my office. I have one pile (I have more) that I tackle and just that one pile. Otherwise it can get too overwhelming.
I hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas.
Julie Y.
If possible, I will turn off my notifications & WiFi connection. If I need WiFi, I will clear my window & commit to leaving only one page open & working on that page. Then I will close my eyes, sit & meditate for at least 5 minutes to gather my thoughts & purpose. This helps calm my mind & focus on the task at hand.
Mn M N.
My mind wanders a lot but I started training myself to recognize when it wanders and bringing myself back to the work I was doing. I am learning that the time spent out of focus is getting smaller because of the wander-catch-return system when I am working. Sometimes I even catch myself just before I wander and refocus.
Micheal Y.
Use pomodoro technique in this technique you have to work 25 mins after than take a break and then again work 25 mins and then again take a break by using this technique what will happen that when you will come after your 5 mins break your mind is ready to do the work again . while doing focused work you have to keep your phone on other room and do the work and while doing the work don't think about anything different only think how to complete that work as soon as possible.
Dawid A.
Concerning opening other tabs, there is software out there that allows you to block specific websites for a given amount of time. Just google it.
Regarding wandering mind, try to accept it as it‘s normal, in particular when you have to do sth that is not very captivating. Write your distractions down in a notebook and get back to it after youve done your work for at least 30m
Sun G.
Just focus on one task, don’t try to do some things at the same time. Pay more attention to the task, rather than the timeline and other factors.
Taylor S.
Well, I’m a correctional officer and we aren’t allowed to bring our phones into the prison. I do like being on my phone, and it does get boring without my phone. Instead of bringing it in, I have to leave it in a safe place in my car, so I tell my loved ones which number they can reach me at if they need to get into contact with me while I’m at work. Although I didn’t like it at first, I think leaving my phone in my car has helped me be productive at work. If I had a job where I was allowed to bring in my phone, I would probably put it on silent or turn it off then put it in a drawer and pretend it’s not there, and let anyone who may contact me know what work number they can reach me at. If I get bored and I’m not busy, I’ve found myself doodling or journaling, or playing tic-tac-toe or dots with my coworkers.
Debbie F.
I put my headphones on and turn on Christian music. Putting on my headphones is an act that signals me it is time to focus. The music is calming and peaceful so I’m not thinking or stressing about the worries of the day and the headphones help to block out other noise and distractions.
Cherry Y.
I try to work on paper, away from the computer, whenever possible. I also use a timer set in 25 minute blocks, and if a distraction comes up during the work block, I'll jot it down and get back to it later. That way I'm not seduced by things that are important to do but not urgent
Elya E.
My work is all about multitasking and research so I need to switch places, computers, tabs, apps, workplace. I'm a tv director.
Khushi C.
If u also want to get focused listen to classical ballet song lr start meditating this will help u be focused I was also not focused before i tried this and I am focused now. Nd I dont open any other tabs just my minds is wandering
Ven E.
For me, what works is that I don’t log into any social media accounts on my work devices. I do occasionally check social media on my phone while working as a break. I think though that keeping social media use in check in my personal life helps keep it in check at work. A few years ago I realized Facebook was depressing me, and I did a detox by removing the app from my phone and making a difficult password to deter me from logging in. It did wonders for me, and I don’t use Facebook much anymore. So I only keep tabs open if they are work-related.
Anjana R.
Stick to one thing at a time no matter how badly you think you can do the other thing quickly and get back to task on hand. If you're not done what you're supposed to be doing then don't start another task, if you're really tempted, write it down on a notepad or something and check on it later
Taher T.
Let's be honest. We can't "lock" ourselves up and restrict/monitor every activity. And instead, let's focus on the results.
What's worked for me is pomodoro timers. It gives me enough pressure to get the thing done (or a part of it) in 25 mins. And then you're free to take a well earned (minor) break.
Lynn W.
i also when i am meditating or studying, my mind at times goes out of track, but when this happen, i take a few number of deep breaths and try to come back to what i am doing at the present moment or if it is when i am studying i will take a paper and write all distractions that come to my mind and i will read those distractions and ulfill some when i finish studying , as a reward. i hope this helps you,
good luck fabulous.
Claire Y.
Staying focused while working is a hard thing to do. Many people struggle with it and approach it in different ways. For myself, I sometimes make a deal with myself about staying focused – if I can complete my task, or work on it for X hours, then I’ll reward myself with a break to do something not work related.
It brings some of the focus off how frustrated I am with getting distracted, and focused more on what I’m looking forward to on my break.
Heather P.
Do the productivity journey. It has some great suggestions. But seriously, it’s about setting an intention and giving whatever it is your full attention. Learning willpower will probably help you a great deal as well.
Judith O.
You've probably heard it before, but the method that works best for me is to have a piece of paper in front of me, and the moment I feel like doing something else, (looking up the weather forecast real quick, checking my email, sending an important message to a friend), I just write it down on the paper. I don't write down entire sentences, the goal is to be distracted for as little time as possible. Usually a keyword is enough. Now I know that I will not forget to do the thing, so I can ignore it for now.

This method works really well with the pomodoro technique. Every 25 minutes i have a 5 minute break. Which is perfect to do all the little things I wrote down. Then 5 minutes later my alarm goes of again, and if I didn't finish all of the things I wanted to do they'll have to wait until the next break.

I also have very specific time for doing things like checking my email. It's 5 minutes at the start and end of my sessions, and if at that time I notice that there's emails there that warrant more attention, I specifically designate a 25 minute block to answer them. Any emails that aren't worth a block and cannot be handled in the 5 minutes can be left until after I'm done working. It's a great way to check with yourself if the email really is worth your attention.

Moua Z.
Close everything or put your other things and devices somewhere you won't easily reach for it. Another thought is it you stray and catch yourself, think immediately, "Thank you, but not now." Or try rewarding yourself. If I do another 15 minutes, or 30 minutes, or just finish this task etc. Then I can go ahead and watch this video or check my phone etc.
Yagyasha I.
I cannot help that i don't have a studying habbit on daily basis I cannot study daily and a very very very easily distracted person i am weather it could be noice or phones or games or even minute noises at home even i need help with this . And multiple tabs are open in my mind which never let me concentrate what I want to do . So u have asked the wrong person. The advice for this .
Nne J.
First i get rid of distraction. Like mobile phone. I place my mobile phone far away from my desk sometimes in other room. Also i keep a clean desk with only the things i need for work or study. If i have any thing going in my mind that is keeping me from staying focused i write it somewhere. Last but not least i make some mini goal before working and make my mind "I have to complete this goal. I can't leave my desk without completing this work"
Laura Q.
I listen to my favourite music and I think to myself that I will only work on whichever task I'm working on for less than an hour and then I'll be able to go back to whatever distracts me guilt-free.
Kyra U.
You can do many different things
1- do it in short bursts. Give yourself many breaks(this only works if you stay truly focused when you are not taking a short break)
2-Set a firm goal and take a break when you reach it
3-Give yourself a reward when you finish something like a piece of candy/chocolate or something
Sandra R.
My mind wanders. No matter what I do. Now I make the choice to return focus on my task by saying to myself, "That's a curious thought. Now back to…." When I ignore or suppress s thought it's like trying to contain steam. It eventually bursts out with power. Curiosity acknowledges the thought with a neutralizing response. This gives me the ability to focus where I want. Occasionally, a thought pops in that I need to address (like leaving the oven on). These important interruptions are more likely to get through without the loud competing less urgent thoughts.
Julia A.
I use the pomodoro technique .. for 25 minutes, I just focus on my work .. I also have a notebook handy to write down thoughts that pop into my head like "arrange dentist appointment", "pick up my watch from the repair shop" etc… those thoughts get added to my todo list for tomorrow or later during the day.
Madhav I.
I am not that eligible to answer this question but still I can give some suggestions.
First of all you have to stay disciplined and give yourself a challenge to stay focused for a specific amount of time without being distracted.
Secondly you can also use a app or website blocker.if you are on Android there are many apps available.For pc cold turkey blocker is what I personally used when I used to get distracted by youtube.I also installed a extention-unhook to block youtube recommendations and use it only for study.You can block specific distracting websites and allow only useful websites.I only used it for a month and now am I completely fine and can restrict myself from distractions
After all motivation should and will come from Inside and I wish you best of luck for future.
Hope it helps😁
Thalia R.
I let my mind wander a bit. I play music in tje background. I look out the window for brief moments. I sip tea. I make what im doing an experience
Efrosini P.
Well to be honest I prefer small study sessions while working to keep me focused and then I extended the duration of them. But is helpful to be somewhere with minimum noises and before you start try to embrace your thoughts try to be familiar with them because only your thoughts are going to keep you focused . If you work on a computer or another device is pretty hard to not get distracted but you can set off all the notifications and just try to not have a tab with social media open but if you are not able to control it there is an app called forest that might help and you can check it out is recommended by many universities to their students to help them study more efficiently..!