Unravel The Tangled Thoughts

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Avatar for Jane
Written by
4 years ago

November 4, 2020

Photo credit: medium.com

FOCUS it seems so easy to think but difficult to do. I recently had a hard time focusing on my tasks. There are times that I don't have an appetite to finish my tasks or my head is on fire and crowded with different thoughts that make me distracted. I spend some time tapping my phone looking for some answers to questions bugging in my mind, followed by falling into a playlist of Youtube's black hole, then read some interesting articles on this platform. I was hoping to see some reasons to venture even the shortest time I have. But to no avail, I still ended up being tangled on the spot I had settled, hooked by the broken clock hanged on the wall, and hypnotized by its tickling sounds which don't even seem to move forward - obviously, it's broken.

What is wrong with me? Why can't I focus?

The human mind is indeed complex being the most advanced brains among all species. I wished I am like a bird, free to soar up high, and capable to reach their chosen destination. Or a robot that can do any tasks programmed in its hippocampus, but wait, does it even have a hippocampus? Ahm maybe? A robot version? Indeed my brain is stuck in the traffic, seems like it doesn't want to speed up. Why am I even thinking about birds and robots if I am a human, a human that is part of the intelligent group of species in this world? I hope I am. Maybe I wouldn't think like this if I am.


Let me dig into this topic. What exactly makes our mind unfocused or distracted?

As I have mentioned above, I spent some time wandering off into online platforms. Digital distractions truly take place at any time. Our phone is just one grab away and tapping on it is somewhat entertaining. However, you are unaware that it is robbing your thoughts and your time. It is easy to blame digital distractions or lack of discipline if we are unfocused, BUT, it is not the real CULPRIT. While navigating the dreary waters of distractions, you will start to understand your own behavior habits that might have gone disregarded for years.

Identifying the issue is the only key to bring back focus. What trouble focusing is really all about?

It is certainly frustrating when I try to seek some generic advice or answers to my complicated questions, but it is not working for some situations.

I know certainly what things to do, but I can not bring myself to execute it.
This is the feeling when I open my Note app to write an article and stared at the screen for a long time. I don't have that appetite to start it. But when I finally manage to perform it, everything seems to be a misery. I just found myself wandering off on my social media account, or trying to look for an inspirational song on Spotify because my mind is traveling everywhere and can not find its way back.

I know my objectives, but I can not gather my strengths on how to get there.
There are so many things to do written on my to-do-list, but so little time to accomplish all. Shifting from one task to another, trying to finish as many think about as I can, it certainly doesn't help at all. Even how hardworking I am, I can not seem to cut through the murky haze of thinking about what to finish first, and not knowing what to do next.

Let's see what other causes of an unfocused mind.

1. Physically and Mentally Exhausted - Killing Off Brain Cells

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That feeling of bleary-eyed, frequently yawning, hazy, or like tramping through cement. Some people are even debating the third cup of coffee, well not for me, I am into tea. Those are the signs that we are overtired. It hampers our ability to concentrate.

Sleep deprivation is another thing here why we easily get exhausted and unfocused. Research says that a direct correlation between lack of sleep, impaired cognitive function, as well as working memory, are other aspects that truly affects our brain. And the concerning thing here is, the continuous sleep deprivation may destroy our brain cells. When our brain cells continuously blasting without enough rest, they became damaged and will eventually destroy.

In my part, I usually sleep at 11, 11:30, or even midnight because I need to make an article for readcash, and wake up at 6:30 in the morning and start my work after breakfast. So, basically, I am lacking sleep and it may damage my brain cells. No wonder it is so difficult to focus when I did not get enough night’s rest.

What to do?

According to research, exposing ourselves to daylight can enhance our attention, that will stimulate our blood circulation. It will not only expose us to natural light but will also boost our work performance. And instead of debating for a cup of coffee, grab a big glass of water instead. Sleepiness is also one kind of symptom of dehydration. So, swallowing some water might be the thing we need to perk up again.



2. Piling too many things on the table

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I am a firm believer that multitasking can help accomplish our tasks easily and save up more free time. It is our common outgrowth of feeling overwhelmed. I am a multitasker myself, but I admit that sometimes, it is difficult to stay concentrated to finish one task because I am worried about my to-do-list might turn into the next merry-go-round with no available chair to settle down.

The tendency is to, shifting from task to back and forth working on other things on the list, and trying to create some articles for this platform. I, or maybe we, always thought that a zippy of activity is akin to productivity. However, when our focus feels drained, that only means that we are piling too many things on the table. While we are working fast in the condition that we are constantly distracted, we actually accomplish lesser tasks. And our brain significantly feels a higher level of stress and frustration. So do not wonder why we are out of focus.

What to do?

Multitasking is an ingrained habit of us, that is because our brain is adaptable. It also means that "we can dictate our brain to be unfocused." It may sound simple to tell ourselves to focus on a certain task at a time. However, if we really wanted to do that, we will realize that it is actually challenging. Maybe we can start doing the top priority on the list, followed by smaller tasks at hand. Start to create a room that is helpful for highly-focused work.


3. Demotivated

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Once we left a pile of unfinished tasks on the table, a lack of motivation can strike at any moment resulting in procrastination. There are moments that we feel unsatisfied with the rewards we are getting from working too hard. So every time we are looking at our pile of chores, we sometimes ask ourselves, "Am I really receiving enough from the fruit of my labor?" Our brain seems to always strive for rewards within the current moment. And sometimes, a lack of acknowledgment forces us to think about our own improvement, making it that much harder to stay focus. However, that kind of thinking won’t earn immediate rewards from your work.

What to do?

One of the reasons for being unmotivated is a lack of feedback. With the pile of accomplished tasks, you will wonder how much progress you have made. A good remedy for this is to track your result. It can be the number of words you have written in your article, the pile of dishes you have washed in the kitchen, or the loads of clothes you have washed and arranged in the cabinet. There are many positive reasons to stay motivated. Just think about your family, your loved ones, your ambitions, and your goal.


4. Procrastination

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Procrastination is a common culprit that robs our time and misleads our focus. We know that we need to do something, we need to finish a task, but, we put it off, we delay, and do other things instead, which are usually less important. Even though I know that I need to accomplish my tasks, I visited ReadCash instead (that is my only positive vice as of the moment). However, I should set my full-time job as more priority than my side-job.

But people should know that procrastination is not only an issue of time management, self-discipline, and only lazy people deal with. We are unaware that it affects us all at one time or another.

What to do?

Procrastination is an emotional problem. Yes, it is. It is not just about time management and priority setting, but the main navigator behind procrastination is emotional. To resist procrastination, we need to overcome our negative emotions first and consider the positive emotions we have when we start to work on more important tasks. By considering our positive emotions, we will feel productive, lively, and we will realize that we are actually doing meaningful work. Put on more self-confidence, and feel better about the headway we are making on our most important tasks. 


5. DISTRACTIONS

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DISTRACTION is not a lack of focus. It is actually allowing yourself to become focused on other things than the task at hand. When it often happens, it performs the same switching rates as multitasking. Your brain is continuously rushing to reorient itself.

The news outside work is also a distraction. When unexpected things are happening outside, whether they are good or bad, it becomes difficult to set them aside and focus on your work. That is because your emotional state is directly attached to your focus.

What to do?

The importance of focus is cutting off everything that is not important. We live in a society where distractions are everywhere.

  • It is important to eradicate the things that are not necessary.

  • Know your priorities, it will warn you every time distraction is dragging you off course.

  • Avoid digital distractions. As much as possible, while you are at work, turn off your data or set aside your phone if it is not really necessary at work.

  • And lastly, keep your own emotions and thoughts in check. Although it is quite challenging, but ignoring those distracting news can help accomplish your tasks on a day.


Seeking to focus is a frustrating problem that impacts everyone at some point. Whether you are striving to find the motivation, or distracted with unexpected things outside, or having difficulty prioritizing the tasks at hand – the chances of being unfocused are leading to something more difficult beneath the ground. We can start to tackle our problem with concentration so that we can give our attention and focus on the more important things.

Instead of acknowledging the distractions, you can focus more on something important - take a break, take a deep breath, and unravel those tangled thoughts in your mind.

Written by: @Jane

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4 years ago

Comments

There r times that i had experienced this at work, being a telephone operator is not that easy especially if your other workmate's behind your back n is so noisy that u can't hardly hear the word they r saying po, one time, ndi na po aq nkpgtimpi dhil sobrang ingay po tlga n ndi q tlga mrinig ung cnsbi nung tmwag n nklimutan q na my kausap po aq, bgla po aqng sumigaw n ngsbi, ang iingay nyo, mgsilabas kaung lhat at dun kau mg-ingay,ndi na nririnig ang cnsbi ng tmtwag d2 dhil sa sobrang ingay nyo, putik na yan, d2 pa kau mg-iingay na alm ung busy lgi at mrming tmtwag d2, lhat ng maingay, lumabas ng ala po sa oras, pti ung OIC po nmin n ibng supervisor, lol, mhrap po kpag my distrations po tlga tpos ang dmi nyo pa po kylngn gwin, in my case, mostly sa telephone po aq nkbase though my mga paper works din po na ginagawa n gmgmit din po ng computer dhil sa opera n ngchecheck din po sa system regarding sa total occupancy o bilang po ng mga guest sa araw na un po n tatlong telephone plus radyo ang hwak o minomonitor q po, boses po puhunan, lol

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3 years ago

Thanks sa upvote.. My badge kna 😁😁 hirap dn trabaho na yan..minsan kc yung mgs convo naiiwan pa sa isip mo... Prang maingay sa loob ng isip mo mga naririnig mo 🤣

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3 years ago

Welcome n opo, lol, ang saya-saya q nga po dhil my badge na po aq, lol, hahaha, tlga pong maingay dun sa work q po, khit ung ibng operator po eh ngagalit din po, lol, tpos mnsan prang nanadya pa po na mgtnong ng mgtnong hbang my kausap u po sa telepono po, lol

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3 years ago

Yes right post

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4 years ago

Being focus is one of my weakness. I easily distracted of many things. haha

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4 years ago

Yeah.. You even make an article about it right ? I was distracted yesterday by something, and that distraction gives me the idea to write this article 😅

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4 years ago

haha. amazing!

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4 years ago

Focus is such an important thing. Once you are in focus, things will flow smoothly!

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4 years ago

Indeed.. All tasks will be accomplished ..

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4 years ago

I'm one of those who can easily be distracted. If I'm writing, I have to finish it straight away because if not, I won't be able to finish writing it. And piling up, this is my issue. I will lay all the cards to do although I know I will not be able to finish it all in one go. I still do. Feeling wonder woman! Ending in total disaster. Focus. Will try to remind myself.

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4 years ago

It became our habit already. As if we are superhuman that we do everything on the table at the same time...we like multitasking. . We are actually spinning too many plates on the table..and as a result, we accomplish lesser tasks..

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4 years ago

I can't find the focus sometimes. I have a lots of thoughts to write but I can't gathered them.

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4 years ago

Me too.. Once i have the courage to do it, it all messed up..

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4 years ago

All your assertion are plausible, seriously the top-notch in the list having many thought buzzling in the head, pilling up multiple task on the table brings about distraction, demotivation, mental extortion among others and at the end lead to procastination.. We can't have many things piled up on the table and be focused , therefore we schedule our activities so as to have less work to do at a time.

Lest I forget, lack of enough sleep is also detrimental to our brain.

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4 years ago

Teue.. Lack pf sleep can deteriorate our mind, killing brain cells, that made us less productive and less focus... I actually manage my time, make to-do list so I can accomplish my tasks smoothly, but really, distractions outside work and being demotivated can ruin my focus

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4 years ago

I've been facing those problems for a long time. But sadly to say still i can't fix myself. Because of demotivation, and procrastination. I can't motivate myself and procrastination is like my blood it can't go away ever. Any words for me? Though you covered all of informations so good and nicely written. Thank you in advance

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4 years ago

There are many ways to stop procrastination. First, you need to consider your positive and negative emotions. It is actually about our emotions not just being undisciplined or laziness, try to use positive emotions when doing things, you will be motivated as well if you think positively..and just remember the people behind your hard work.

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4 years ago

Yeah exactly you're right.. I should try to maintain those points. Thank you for your great advices😍

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4 years ago

Welcome

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4 years ago

Seriously, there are so many things that can makenus unfocus. As for me, I easily get distracted that is why I have so many unfinish work now because of it. My saved movies and series in my phone is number one on my list that get me distracted, I can't do my work because I keep on thinking of what's gonna happen on the movie that I'm watching. Also another thing is Facebook, I don't really spend mucch time in facebook but, sometimes I feel like rewatching my saved funny videos in fb that is why. And because ofbthis distraction I'm out of focus now to do what I am supposed to do today. 🤦

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4 years ago

Digital distractions.. One of the culprits of the unfocused mind... Instead of doing the tasks at hand, you wander off on social media accounts.. Fall on the youtube's black hole.. And ended up not finishing the tasks... Maybe it is better to set aside the phone while at work, finish the tasks on the list one by one.. Because if you try to all at a time, the more that you will be distracted.. And for entertaining self.. It is better to do it while at rest..

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4 years ago

Yeah, I better do it now, if i don't want to have a pile of works.

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4 years ago

Exactly..

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4 years ago

Hello distractions and the overbearing overthinking me that seems to be the the cause of my lack of focus. But i do have focus when i get some until i end up having a burnout. Then it would take a day or two before my focus is restored 😂😂😂

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4 years ago

Haha.... We all are out fo focused sometimes.. But i hope you won't be out of focus at your work,😅

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4 years ago

I focus on work ;;-;; i have a huge ass cup of coffee and a ton of books to read about protocols and all ;;-;;

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4 years ago

That is expected.. I hope you are doing well

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4 years ago

I think i am? I'm not getting my supervisor and my partner stressed so i think it's a good start so far?

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4 years ago

Haha with question mark.. I guess it is? 😅 i know you can handle both

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4 years ago

Because I'm never sure that I'm doing a good job until I'm told i am 😂😂😂 I'm still a clueless kiddo

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4 years ago

Great photos, nice post

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4 years ago

Great writing dear

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4 years ago

This is an awesome write up though the BOT is on break this would have really fetched you a lot. For me I'll be on break till i see changes

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4 years ago

Bot on break? That is interesting haha..

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4 years ago

I think we need to organize our lives a little better

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4 years ago

What a coincidence! I'm trying to wrap up an article about human attention and unfortunately never had it published because the author lacks attention to finish it hahah! Anyway, this is so me, writing preliminary thoughts/ ideas of what to write and end up not finishing it. This is a great reminder!

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4 years ago

I guess we are thinking alike..haha.. This happens to me yesterday, but it helps me formulate an article 😂

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4 years ago

I will try to finish it (I hope, hahah!) and maybe tag you too...

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4 years ago

Sure.. I would like to read it..

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4 years ago

Nice article

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4 years ago

I really enjoyed reading I've been in like a box for the past few days with countless thoughts roaming my head i can relate

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4 years ago

So now you know what to do? 😁

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4 years ago

I can only focus on my work when a notification from the bot will pop out. Got demotivated for about 5 days now. I thought my articles is well written and can be considered as 80% good than the other articles. Oh well, a.i is still an a.i, emotionless

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4 years ago

Yeah, your articles are good.. O don't know what is wrong with the bot.. It's like it has favoritism.. And btw we feel the same, I am demotivated once my articles don't get decent tips from him.. I mean, I spend time writing it despite being busy at work. It's like useless..

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4 years ago

Great information about this article my dear @ jane

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4 years ago

Thank you

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4 years ago

welcome dear @jane

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4 years ago

I am a multitasker and I make sure I focus on the things I am doing, so I can finish the task. What irritates me is that when somebody interrupts me, I cannot finish the task directly it's like I am a robot when I get distracted the program will be broken, it annoys me that my task isn't finished at the colocated time I painted on my brain.

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4 years ago

That is one of the reasons too.. For me, since i am working abroad, my distractions are my family at home.. Especially if they are sending bad news.. Another is the my boss' feedback towards my work.sometimes jt's annoying. It's like im trying my best but still not enough for them

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4 years ago

Yeah, the bad news is a great distraction from our focus. I know it's hard to work for other people, I hope you will have financial freedom soon so you will not work for other people anymore 😊 Just endure a little, you are striving hard I know you will get out from that sooner.

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4 years ago

We all are... Am still trying to hold on.. I know i can out from this burden..

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4 years ago

Yes you will! keep fighting! 💪💪

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4 years ago

As humans we get distracted a lot. Focusing on something needs great concentration. Maybe we need to list the things that needed to be done first. Set goals that are easy to reach and attainable.

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4 years ago

Yes, that is important too. make a list, but even if you make a to-do-list, if you are overtired and distracted, you won't be able to accomplish all..

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4 years ago

My illness: Procrastination HAHAHA

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4 years ago

I think we all do that. Lol especially if we hooked by something interesting on our phone..

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4 years ago

Focus is the main think we need in our every steps of life. We need it in our work. There are also available a lot of things which district our focus and mind. We can't set up. Main things is tension and depression. Which are not help us to focus on our work. By the way, you described all the term so well. Amazing skills of writing you have

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4 years ago

Thank you. Yes, tension and depression are also the reason... Our emotional state sometimes hinders our capability to focus.. that is why we need to consider those negative emotions and do something to solve the issue.. Or else, you will always be distracted and unfucosed.

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4 years ago

Yeah, you are right

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4 years ago

This is so much helpful article thanks for it

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4 years ago