The average adult is said to have an average attention span of between five and twenty minutes. Some studies prefer to put it in terms of seconds – a study by Microsoft Corp stated that the average person’s attention span is actually just eight seconds, only one second shorter than that of the ill-focused goldfish.
It’s also worthy of note that some other authors/researchers have subsequently attempted to debunk this few seconds theory. The individuals on this side of the divide are of the opinion that the no one’s attention span is really that low and it just depends on the activity in question. Say for example, if an adult was deeply engrossed in a Netflix movie, they could actually be focused for much longer and thus the short attention span theory would not necessarily hold true. I guess we can conclude here that it can be a little relative.
Whether your attention span is really not as bad as eight seconds or you find it easier to stick to a Netflix movie than you would a good book, I think most of us generally do not do excellent in this area. I see this struggleevery day, with myself and with the people around me. Think about how long you can wait in line at a grocery store before flipping out your smart phone to get busy.
Your attention span is the amount of time you can spend focused on an activity before you need to re-concentrate afresh. In simpler terms, it is the amount of time it takes before you zone out from an activity.
Clearly, there are various reasons for a dwindling attention span but at the top of the ladder are distractions, stress, and having too many tasks to complete at the same time. In my opinion, being present in this current day and age alone makes concentration even more difficult. There is so much to be distracted with nowadays and naturally we have become the generation whose attention-span is being compared to that of a cute little fish.
We get bored easily, worse still if the activity is not something that is particularly captivating enough to accommodate our deficiencies. Take for example working on a task at work, reading a book, listening to a valuable message, or even trying to pay attention to this boring write-up right now.
*Side note: Did you know that writers are encouraged to include attractive photos in their articles and books, so they can encourage their readers to stay glued to reading?
Of course, I would vote for content above any amount of photos anytime any day but it just points further to how we humans need our sights massaged to help us keep attentive and focused. To be candid, nobody actually likes ‘boring’, and I think we were wired that way.
That being said, there are still some things we can do on our own to improve our attention span and concentration.
Tips on improving your attention span
- Pick your battles. This is my first take for anyone who wants to improve their attention span and I do not mean physical battles, I mean prioritizing. I understand that nowadays, there are many things clamoring for our attention therefore, it is only necessary that we make a mental note of the things that are actually important to us. Those are the things we need to channel our focus and energy towards. When we do this, we create a smaller circle of things grappling for our attention. We cannot afford to be interested in any and everything.
- Give yourself defined tasks and timelines. Don’t just breeze through work (or studying, or whatever else you need to give your attention) without specific goals and targets. Try to set goals and deadlines for those key activities. Remember that we are talking primarily about major activities which require a good level of concentration so you do not necessarily have to set a timeline for using the restroom in your house. Or you can, if it works for you. I am aware that some jobs and activities can be pretty unstructured as I’ve had my fair share of those before, but as much as you can, try to define your tasks clearly – against timelines. Personally, I work better when I have defined tasks and timelines. It’s all in the detail.
- Have a to-do list. This is the second slice of the former point. After you create a mental list of the tasks you want to complete, also create a physical list. List them all, assigning estimated timelines to each activity. It only has to be an estimate and you should not beat yourself up if you exceed the timeline at first, as it is only but an estimate. It then means that you either need to adjust your estimated timeline for next time, or you need to develop a faster way of completing your tasks a.k.a improve your turn around time. The point is to even have a list for starters. Oh the joy of striking completed tasks off a to-do list!
- Avoid multitasking. Multitasking seems to have decamped from the lane of strength downhill the path of inefficiency. Previously, we’d been told that it was one of the best possible qualities to have as an individual – be you an employee, business owner, student, or stay at home person. We were encouraged to include it in our resumes even. However, further insight is showing that it may not be a great attribute after all as it could reduce effectiveness and potentially lower our IQ. Ouch! See a study conducted by Stanford University on this. It seems better to finish one task before going on to another as this encourages optimization of focus and energy. This way, the paltry attention can be channelled to each task one at a time possibly leading to overall effectiveness.
- Limit all forms of distraction. When you are set to face your tasks squarely, try to do away with the things that you know can easily distract you from your task. Sometimes, the distraction could be in the form of a person, say a family member. If this is so, kindly communicate to them about how you need to focus on your set activity for a stated period of time. Such communication is key because I know how upset I could get with my husband if he decides to lock up to work at home without any prior information. Aye, I am rolling my eyes right now because honestly, not all loved ones are equipped to understand these things for example my six-month-old who is tightly clasped to me as I type this write-up! He is feeling very clingy at the moment (when is he not clingy?). What is attention span and how is that his concern? These are the issues, haha!
- Give yourself a recess period after reaching a milestone in your task. Sometimes I would rather not give myself a break from that task or book, lest I never return to it! But if your task is quite voluminous, give yourself a pat on the back in form of a good break after you reach a targeted milestone. Of course the recess should be timed and followed till you finally complete your assignment.
- Meditate more. Yes! Meditation requires concentration and a good measure of devotion. It could also help you relax better and help you feel more organised. Find something value-adding that you love and spend some quiet time doing just that – preferably in the morning. It wouldn’t be me if I did not suggest that this right here is a great opportunity to study scriptures or pray, now would it?
- Play brain-tasking games. Ha, finally a jolly point! There are tons of games both online and offline that could help improve our attention span and IQ as a whole. It could even be outdoor games, just a nice activity that requires focus and attention and can be done at your leisure. Remember to not get addicted to any such game.
- Catch some rest. It is particularly hard for me to sleep when I have a list of things I need to do in my head, even if I feel tired. Unfortunately a stressed brain will not concentrate much, so it might as well be an effort in futility. Rest your mind, body and get some good sleep, even if it is hard. You will feel refreshed to start a new day or task.
- Be disciplined. At the end of the day, achieving a good attention span is not just about having a list of dos and don’ts, it’s more about having the discipline and will to improve in this area and other aspects of our lives.
So, what is your attention span like? Take this brief test to give you an idea!
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