Did you know that it takes 23 minutes to regain focus once lost.

How long it takes to lose focus? 1 second.

Throughout our day we are constantly bombarded with notifications, emails, and videos to entertain.

And a silent killer is the fact that we check or review them in the middle of work, or worse, during the work.

But did you know that averting focus to checking just one notification can actually cost you 24 minutes less productivity.

This article will explain how you can achieve your goals by utilizing the power of focus.

How Easy It Is To Lose Focus

In the month of June, my school went through exam month.

2 weeks of studying and memorizing, 2 weeks of straight exams, sometimes even 2 exams in a day.

And whilst re-evaluating my study methods and tools, I realized that distractions were cluttered everywhere.

In the past exam season, I had failed to consistently study effectively, even to study in general.

A problem I encountered was that I relied too much on tools based on my IPad and phone. 

Goodnotes 6, Notion, etc. There was one pattern;

They all lived on my handheld devices.

I acknowledge that there are millions of people who rely on their IPads for example, and succeed using it.

But me personally? No, I can’t stand seeing an unopened notification, or having to re-structure my whole device for it.

Realizing this flaw, I transferred the load to my computer, as I consider it my primary workspace, and because there are less distractions on there, (less games, social media apps, etc).

And I even started relying less on digital notes, and kept everything neatly in my notebook.

Since these changes, my grades have skyrocketed. Without the constant need of diverting attention to different things I’ve been able to focus much deeper.

Which, deep focus brings us to our next topic.

Deep And Light Focus

There is a difference between being focused, and being focused.

Light focus is where most of us dwell. Where our work could be described more as small fragmented work times rather than long deep work times.

For example, let’s use soccer.

In soccer, a lot of coaches focus on activating what they call “the flow state.”

To put it simply, when you’ve blocked out all the noise outside, and internally and are left with only you, the ball, and your teammates.

Players who’ve been praised with this trait are Neymar, Pirlo, Zidane, Messi, and Ronaldo.

They play instinctively when in the flow state, every move comes on its own because of their deep focus.

And it’s actually quite easy to differentiate players who are in light focus, or deep focus.

The exact example I’ll be using to paint the picture is the 2020 Euros final between England, and Italy.

The English team on paper looked like a different breed with flashy youngsters, including the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, etc.

Their opponent in the final? An aging Italian team.

The final was a close match, and everything came down to penalties. England Vs Italy.

The English team were incredible, but their players were young, inexperienced, and worst of all, had too much on their minds.

They looked scared, and they hesitated every move made.

Italy, on the other hand, was experienced, focused, and in the zone.

Even after Jorginho missed his penalty, they looked unfazed. Which eventually led to a win for Italy.

The English youngsters were too focused on the outcome if they missed, they focused on the crowd chanting and screaming.

Basically; they got distracted, then they lost.

Light Focus Vs Spaced Repetition

Before we get into how to start focusing deeply, I want to address a contradiction we may have encountered.

There is a certain difference between spaced repetition, and light focus.

Light focus doesn’t just mean focusing for little amount of time, rather, it can also be focusing for hours, but not fully being there in spirit.

With spaced repetition, you fully immerse yourself into the subject at hand for a short amount of time consistently.

During spaced repetition, the only thing that should be on your mind is yourself, and the action you want to do.

With light focus, you could be sat snuggly on your desk, working, but with consistent distractions throughout.

This leads to a 2 hour working session turning into 20 minutes, and making you feel like you didn’t accomplish anything.

How To Start ‘Deep Focus’-Ing

1. Minimize Distractions

Just like how I switched devices to minimize distractions, try removing every unnecessary object possible, leave only your priorities at hand.

When I work, I like to keep my phone out of my hands reach, sometimes even in a different room.

And before I do so, I like cleaning up my desk first to remove any visual distractions, (like chips, books, etc).

Just remember, one distraction = 23 minutes less work.

2. Flow State And Rituals

Its the 90th minute, and Ronaldo steps up to the penalty point.

The score is 1-1, both teams have had their fair share of chances, but it all comes down to this.

Just as he always has, he takes a few long steps back, he takes a deep breath, his arms and legs wide in his stance.

He mutters to himself, “C’mon Ronaldo, you can do this, you have countless times in the past.”

He starts his run, and its a goal to seal the deal.

Rituals oh rituals.

Kobe has advocated for the use of rituals, LeBron uses rituals, Serena Williams invests in rituals, who doesn’t?

Rituals matter for focus, because after being done for a long time, they act as a cue for your brain to start focusing.

Some like to listen to music before a sports match, some people like to brew coffee or start with a warm breakfast.

For my golf, I like to hit the pitch 2 times with my club, which I’ve integrated into my play since day 1.

3. Utilize Tools

On the internet, there are hundreds of tools designed specifically to help with focus.

The one I prefer? Pomodoro timers.

They separate your work hours into work, and break times.

Usually, the settings I use for my limited sessions are five 30 minute work sessions, with 5 minute breaks in between, and a long break after.

And a quick tip, for the short breaks, try to not open any distracting devices, or activities.

Personally, I review what I’ve already studied, or I refill my water bottle.

Remember, it takes 23 minutes to regain focus.

4. Keep Practicing

Focusing is hard at first, trust me.

For 2 years, this website was empty. I just couldn’t sit down and write anything.

After consistent practice and consistent pushing, I have finally climbed the summit.

Originally this was supposed to be a short 500 word article, but because of my deep focus and because of my “flow state”, this has quickly turned into a 1000+ word article.

So, keep going forward, and keep trying.

This is what Kobe said about deep focus:

“When you get into that zone it’s just this supreme confidence … Things just slow down, You don’t try to focus on what’s going on, because you can lose it in a second, You just stay in the present.”