Did you know that a goldfish has a longer attention span than the average human? According to one source, a goldfish has an attention span of nine seconds while the average human has an attention span of only 8.25 seconds.
That’s a sad state of affairs. But the good news is that there are things you can do to improve your attention span if you find it hard to stay focused for any length of time.
Continue reading to look at five ways to grow your attention span effectively. You’ll find that doing so will help you in your relationships and in your career.
1. Focus on Active Listening
One way to brush up on your attention span is to focus on active listening. Doing so will help you to take in and retain more information than you usually do. There are some effective ways to improve your active listening. For instance, you can avoid interrupting someone when they’re trying to communicate something to you. Focus on their words and avoid focusing on what you want to say in response to what they’re saying.
Another strategy is to spend time listening to a podcast or music. The trick is to do so without using or watching a TV, smartphone, or tablet. Just focus on listening.
2. Engage in More Physical Activity
You can also improve your attention span by exercising. Focus on moderate levels of physical activity. This can include biking, jogging, or brisk walking. When enjoying the fresh air and physical activity, be careful if you’re listening to music. You’ll want to be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.
The last thing you need is to have music blaring in your ears to the point where you’re not watching car activity. Getting involved in an accident isn’t the reward you want when trying to get more physical activity.
3. Spend More Time Reading
Yet another way you can increase your attention span is by reading more. But you need to be attentive while reading — and do it regularly. Spend half an hour everyday reading. You’ll more likely than not be able to stick to this if you do it at the same time daily. Are you more alert just before bed, first thing in the morning, or after dinner? You can read a book, magazine, or newspaper. Try not to read from your computer or smartphone since you might get distracted by emails, IMs, texts, or other messages.
4. Take Breaks
You need to take breaks throughout the day to refocus. If you’re always on the go and overdo it, you won’t have the clarity of mind you need to focus on the tasks at hand. Take breaks between tasks or take a power nap in the afternoon if you previously pulled an all-nighter. You’ll find focusing easier when you give your body a break.
5. Lessen Distractions
You can improve your attention span by cutting down on distractions. For instance, you can organize your day so that you know what needs to be done. You can then schedule times to get these things done. You can also silence notifications on your phone, so you don’t spend too much time checking emails and other messages.
No one wants to have an attention span shorter than a goldfish’s attention span. But, yet, the average person’s attention span isn’t anything to write home about. If your attention span is short, you’ll want to do what you can to improve it. And there are some ways to do so.
Try out some of the suggestions above to boost your attention span.