There is a reality that concentration is not a latent capability. It is a skill that is earned. Some of us adapt to the ability to concentrate at a younger age and therefore demonstrate this more than others, however, concentration is absolutely something that can be developed. There are many reasons why people struggle with concentration, I think most of the reasons are due to factors in and around their lives that prevent them from improving this ability. It can also be job selection, as not all occupations lend themselves to dedicated concentration time. I have decided to spend a week focused on how I can concentrate better and improve that skillset.
My first concept that I am working on now is that concentration can be trained. Meaning that you can train yourself to improve concentration and focus time. I think there are some core things that we can do on a daily basis to start this process.
- Practice Meditation – spending just 5 or 10 minutes in a daily ritual that requires you to do nothing other then to sit still and allow yourself to understand and know what is impacting you. To not react to anything, but rather take note of things and then allow your mind to move on to the next thought. Just a few minutes of quiet stillness where you are doing no activity.
- Dedicate time each day that requires deep concentration. This can be puzzles, chess problems, brain games, or just simply reading. We do not allow ourselves time to work out our brains on a regular basis. By spending time each day in focused thinking time, we can keep the brain in tune and sharp.
- Build up focus sessions. There is a core workload that you need to be doing right now, this is probably associated with your goals in life or perhaps they are work related. You most likely could benefit from focused concentration on this area of your life. You can start small and then gradually build up the length of time that you spend in these sessions. I would start with 5 minutes. That may not seem like much, but if you would be suprised. People are not good at concentrating, if you are really honest with yourself, you most likely will find out that you cannot keep your brain focused on something for more than 5 minutes. So start with that and the next day try for 10 minutes. Slowly build up until you can consistently focus for 20 minute sessions with out having to remind yourself to get back on track. Once you can do that, then you can start to string together several back to back 20 minute working sessions and that is when you know you have trained yourself to concentrate.
By doing these things above you will quickly learn that your lifestyle is getting in your way. Just try to do these three things each day for a week and see how far you get. My prediction is that you will fail, because your lifestyle is setup to welcome constant distraction. Take notes on what gets in your way as you make each attempt to do one of these three things.
So, as I start this journey into the art of concentration, I want to leave you with a simple truth: this is not a one-and-done process. It’s not about achieving perfection but about progress. Concentration is a skill that requires constant cultivation, like tending to a garden. Sometimes the weeds of distraction will overtake your efforts, but with persistence, you can clear the path again and again.
Here’s what I’ve come to realize in just these few days of focused effort: the world isn’t going to make it easy for you. Notifications will ping, responsibilities will pull, and your mind will wander. But you always have a choice—to show up, refocus, and get back to the work of building this skill. The question isn’t whether it will be hard. It’s whether you’re committed to showing up anyway.
If you decide to embark on your own week-long focus challenge, embrace the failures as much as the successes. They’re part of the process, teaching you about your triggers and distractions. Concentration isn’t just about focusing on what matters; it’s about learning what doesn’t—and letting it go.
So, give yourself some grace, but don’t give yourself an out. Concentration can be trained, and you’re in charge of that training. Start today, start small, and keep going. By the end of this week, you might just surprise yourself.
