Hi! New here. I didn’t immediately see introduction threads so let this rather sad admission be people’s first impression of me.
Is concentration an issue for anybody else? Specifically reading. There’s so many interesting books out there that I’ve never gotten around to reading or if I have, I have trouble finishing them. This isn’t always true. There’s been a few books over the last year or so that I’ve finished but I can probably count them on one hand. By the same token, it’s not good to force things either; I think if you’re truly interested by something instead of telling yourself you “have to” or you “should”, then it will be a pleasure without too much contortion. I also think books ought to be treated as less sacred than they are, not everything should be treated with equal respect and it’s totally legitimate to enjoy it (or not) in the way you want to, not in an ivory tower sense.
Hey, welcome and all. Just wanted to mention that I reported your thread’s misspelled title. Unless it was intentional as a way to show your concentration issue, then sorry. Anyway, hope someone can help you. I blame my lack of concentration on age and a lifetime of debauchery.
I’ve always had an issue with concentration. As a student I spent a lot of time looking out the window, or just thinking about other things. Most of my reading consists of skimming, and I usually can’t wait for a book or movie to end.
Perhaps it’s not you, but your current environment. haven’t been engrossed in a book since the pandemic began. Any narrative for that matter that posits a world where people can interact physically. Reality is so stifling right now, I can’t suspend it long enough to concentrate on much else.
I don’t read nearly enough. My attention span has never been great. Still, if I find something I really like, I can get pretty engrossed in it. When I hit these patches of things I like, my concentration improves. We also listened to one of the Dexter novels on audiobooks, as well as “You Can’t Go Home Again.” Listening was ok if the narrator is decent, but reading to yourself will always be better IMO.
A few things I’ve read in the past year or so (spoilering in hopes that they don’t take up too much space on members’ phones):
My concentration went down the drain years ago. Partially because of my work (jumping from task to task), partially due to internet.
One of the suggestions I read (on a message board) was to read something easy, that would keep my attention. So I went and re-read a mystery, which helped me get in the mood for sitting and reading, rather than jumping from one topic to another. And the weather helped. Nice rainy weekend.
Don’t feel obligated to finish a book, unless it’s for school/work. It’s okay to set it aside and pick it up later. And even decide it’s not for you.
Concentration is not an issue for me. I can actually perform two major tasks at the same time, which I often do to maximize productivity. To do this, I avoid working in a team or being under pressure. I am generally partner free and stress free. My focus is excellent.
Motivation is another element that can boost your concentration. A stressor can sometimes turn into a motivator. Most of the time I can muster my energy to pursue a goal that I find rewarding. When the stressor (no matter how motivating it may be) becomes overwhelming, I take a break and relax. I may even lie down for 30 minutes. When I rise, I feel fresh and energetic, ready to focus for another 8 hours.