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Tips on maintaining concentration
Merlin Mann | May 7 2005
Great tips that are useful way beyond studying—really for any kind of work that requires your mind not to wander off on its own. The “Best Practices” section in particular has some useful ways to learn and address the sorts of things that cause you to break concentration. I don’t think I’d ever really thought about firewalling time for worrying, but it’s certainly an interesting idea. If you like stuff like this as much as I do, definitely check out The Now Habit, a book that’s full of interesting ideas for beating procrastination and maintaining focus and concentration. A little hippie around the edges, but the basic premise of discovering when and how you get led astray is sound, do-able, and very helpful. 15 Comments
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 This is really good stuff,...Submitted by Jacob Bøtter (not verified) on May 7, 2005 - 10:38am.
This is really good stuff, thanks for bringing it up. Curt Rosengren from the Occupational Adventure blog also made me aware of how stay focused. That’s a large deal of concentrating - if not the whole deal. Read all about it at http://curtrosengren.typepad.com/occupationaladventure/2005/05/howtostay_foc.html »
thanks for the tips! i...Submitted by mike jensen (not verified) on May 7, 2005 - 3:09pm.
thanks for the tips! i will make sure to read them later… »
I LOVE the Now Habit....Submitted by Braidwood (not verified) on May 7, 2005 - 7:37pm.
I LOVE the Now Habit. Very helpful. “A little hippy around the edges?” ? »
I read "the now habit"...Submitted by Javier Cabrera (not verified) on May 8, 2005 - 5:20am.
I read “the now habit” last month and i found it very interesting. Its a “easy book to read”, the way i like it ;) I think its has to be on anyone bookshelf, just i case or for reference ;) »
Regarding procrastenation I can also...Submitted by Phil (not verified) on May 8, 2005 - 5:34am.
Regarding procrastenation I can also recommend “The Procrastinator’s Handbook. Mastering the art of doing it now” by Rita Emmett. Pretty easy to read. »
"Be Here Now" [Amazon.com] eh?...Submitted by weasel ball (not verified) on May 8, 2005 - 6:16am.
“Be Here Now” [Amazon.com] eh? (is that my good butter?) It’s fun to take a trip… to your studies. Oasis [allmusic.com] knows. »
Picked up "The Now Habit"...Submitted by bob (not verified) on May 8, 2005 - 11:56am.
Picked up “The Now Habit” this week, after seeing it here. Read it on the planeride to Atlanta today, and added a couple pithy sayings from it to my stack of 3x5 cards. Liking the idea of choosing to just start and that there’s “no perfect place to begin.” just do it, eh? One of these days I’ll give myself permission to fail …. »
It seems to me that...Submitted by Josh More (not verified) on May 9, 2005 - 3:14am.
It seems to me that setting aside time for worrying is effectively the same as a daily review. It’s just less structured than the GTD version. »
I tend to procrastinate by...Submitted by milesh (not verified) on May 9, 2005 - 6:35am.
I tend to procrastinate by reading gobs and gobs of articles, materials, and tips on productivity and how to stop procrastinating. Anyone else? »
Some tips for a fluttery...Submitted by Nando (not verified) on May 9, 2005 - 10:04am.
Some tips for a fluttery geek-in-love, anyone? sigh »
About Merlin Mann Bio Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He’s best known for being the guy who started the website you’re reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today. Also? He looks like this, answers questions, and has something like a life. Merlin’s favorite thing he’s written recently is a short essay called, “Better.” |
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