Tips for concentrating?

[Rivvie]

Well, It might be a bit weird to ask here, but since you're all nice people, I guess I should give it a try...

I'm currently at work and I have a huge paper to do. Luckily it's about 80% finished by now, but I have spent so much time working on it, I really don't have any motivation left to do more about it. I also have lot's of other stuff that should be done, but somehow I can't get myself to do it.
I work all alone, so there are no people around me that can motivate me, or critique me for doing so little.
Do any of you have some good tips for concentrating, to let me focus on what I should do. Or who could maybe motivate me a little?

[WIS]

Well, you can always do what I do. Play Neoquest II for a while, get frustrated, the paper seems much easier then.

Actually, I just work on something even MORE boring for a while, then I'll be begging to start that paper again.

[_jade_em_]

Shut yourself in an empty basement with only your paper, (or only a computer with practically nothing on it but the document of your paper,) a matchbox, and a candle. Lock the basement door and slip the key under

[xjox]

Take a break, walk around or go and get a drink. Then come back to the paper after 15 minutes or so. Read through it all again and hopefully you should be able to finish it off.

When I have alot of different tasks to do, I set myself mini targets and give myself little rewards when I finish them. For example, after you have finished your paper reward yourself by playing on Neo (or something else) for 20 minutes. Then after the next task, watch some tv or get a snack etc

It works for me!

EDIT: I also write myself 'To do' lists, I get so much satisfaction in ticking things off!!

[on_diet_cat]

Well, you can always do what I do. Play Neoquest II for a while, get frustrated, the paper seems much easier then.

Actually, I just work on something even MORE boring for a while, then I'll be begging to start that paper again.

It will not work for me for I play neoquest for a while. I will probably play a little neoquest, half way through visit ppt, open up another window check my mails, blog a little, check my adsense, blah blah blah... and never return to what I am suppose to do.

I dun know if this work for you, bring the work that you are suppose to do to Mcdonald and do it there until you have finish. Sometime, noises and strangers from the outside helps me to concentrate.

[Medusa]

Take a break, walk around or go and get a drink. Then come back to the paper after 15 minutes or so.

This is what I usually do, it works really well! You just have to be really careful that if you set yourself 15 minutes it does end up only being 15 minutes.

I always find a bottle of water nearby helps too, firstly water is good for you in many ways and in addition to that it also means that you won't need to keep getting up for a drink.

Believe it or not and this is going to sound weird but fruit helps me, the smell and taste of it is really uplifting and I find I can get my mind back into the position it needs to be to continue what I'm doing then.

Other than that, concentration is a skill that is best developed over time, over the past few years my concentration has been gradually decreasing, you know what's changed? I spend less time concentrating these days. Once you start to do it, it definately gets easier.

[Rivvie]

It will not work for me for I play neoquest for a while. I will probably play a little neoquest, half way through visit ppt, open up another window check my mails, blog a little, check my adsense, blah blah blah... and never return to what I am suppose to do.

I dun know if this work for you, bring the work that you are suppose to do to Mcdonald and do it there until you have finish. Sometime, noises and strangers from the outside helps me to concentrate.

Yes, that sounds really familiar. I always tend to spend way too much time with my "rewards". Once I get started I can concentrate quite well, but when I finish something and reward myself I find it very hard to get started again.
I also have a hard time concentrating when all around me is quiet. That's propably why I have a hard time concentrating here. I'm all alone in a seperate room, and it's not allowed to play music on your computer. So I have brought my own discman to play some music . It really helps.

Medusa: I haven't tried the water and the fruit thing. I guess I can try that, although I haven't got any over here (yet)

To do lists seem to work the best for me. I set myself a goal, like having to finish at least four things of the list at one day. I feels rewarding to check things off.

[Eidolon]

When I need to do my homework and I'm listening to music, I have to put a CD that I know really, really well in - that way I can sing along without thinking It's either that or turn it really low, otherwise it distracts me. *sometimes* I'll write a paper on the comp and be signed into Instant Messenger, but ONLY IM - and only at a time when just a couple people are on. What helps me is when I can chat a little bit with one or two people, then go back to my paper - it's no help if you have 10 people to talk to or if you're browsing PPT at the same time

Hope it helps!

[Urthdigger]

Step 1: Get a CD of classical music.
Step 2: Pop it in your CD player
Step 3: Get to work!

[Wolven Spirits]

It depends. SOMETIMES I find that music can be distracting, as much as I love it. Maybe some classical, unless you are incredibly against that kind of music or something soothing. Nothing with lots of lyrics and beat. Well, not for me, at least.

Have something to eat/drink nearby, so that you're not wishing that you could be elsewhere say, eating or something^_^ heh.

If you're living with someone else, get them to check on you to make sure that you're not chatting or doing stuff online, instead of doing your work^^*

Give it a chance. I find that sometimes, if I start on something, I find myself getting into it, and then I can finish it pretty easily

Good luck!!!^__^