How to Stay Focused For Long Periods of Time (even on boring things)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- A guide on how to stay focused for long periods of time.
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Music:
Simulation - A P O L L O
Pull Up - A P O L L O
Falling Fast - A P O L L O
and now, a random string of keywords to help my rankings:
how to stay focused, how to focus for long periods of time, how to focus on homework, how to focus on essay, how to focus on boring things, how to focus in school, focus
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The only youtuber that tells me to turn off notifications instead of turning it on
And guys make sure to like this like this video! And make sure to smash that subscribe button and while ur at it hit that bell icon blah blah blah...
and u never heard about that you can turn them on ....
@@miba8303 no he means every TH-camr keeps telling ppl to turn on notifications and sub
"Stop letting other people spend your time for you" probably the most important side note of this entire video. The amount I spend on social media watching other people enjoy the highlights of their lives and you become very depressed anxious and demoralized. This is a excellent quote to spend the only lifetime you have on yourself. Thanks
Agreed
Think this is me rn
Yeah I agree delete instagram and Facebook it only makes you more frustrated and depressed
Couldn't be said better
@@flyaway2846 so damn truth also
Added to watch later
OH MY GOD
Thanks for letting us know
@@christophersurnname9967 r/whoosh
LMAO
@@Ankit-lt4bq same XDDD
Notes for myself:
1) *Unstimulate your brain.*
Take breaks that let your brain unstimulate:
- go for a walk
- medidate
- gym
This way when you do the boring task, your brain has stopped expecting the constant hits of dopamine that easy content provides.
2) *Productivity playlist.*
Make a playlist that you only listen to while working. This way, your brain will start associating that playlist with being productive, so in the future when you put it on, its easier to enter a productive minset.
3) *Use caffeine correctly*
- 300mg/day
- L-thianine
4) *Get past the concentration hump.*
Do the task for more than 20min, and you will enter a productive state - or flow state. NOTIFICATIONS OFF!
not more than 300mg of caffein per day!! Just a quick reminder before u forget about it and think you need 300mg/day 😂
call me myself
L-theanine is wonderful stuff. I learned about it when I worked in an animal hospital because it was so good for low-grade anxiety in critters, and it's helped me for years.
@@ItsAsparageese really? I definitely get jittery and a bit anxious from coffee sometimes, perhaps I should really give it a try... Thanks! :)
@@ItsAsparageese animal hospital the adult swim show? :3
i coudint even stay focused with this video wtf
You're overstimulated, cut down on your dosage of the internet. Unsub from YT channels with meaningless content. And schedule your breaks.
Ethan John that’s actually pretty smart
@@TheWeen344 you're welcome :-)
Watch it at 2
1.5x speed. It will increase the stimulation. 😛
It’s the phone man, social media and all off these apps are literally rewiring our brains and making our attention spans very fucking short
Jason Statham, you are such a wise man.
Hahahaa😄😄😄
Games2Vlogs you gave me a good chuckle :)
Lmao
thanks man, u made me laugh rn
1: Unstimulate your brain
2: Create a productivity playlist
3: Use caffeine correctly (Less than 300 mg/day, space your caffeine intakes and use L-theanine)
4: Get past the hump
AIB Gaming *L-theanine :)
Caffeine or a good strain of weed
@@je6874 Thanks!
@a You know what he meant. Assuming you didn't miraculously manage to never overstimulate your brain before.
1a Start in the morning so your brain isn't overstimulated yet.
2a. Turn on the "do not disturb" mode on your phone.
I’m surprised to hear that is your age group audience. I’m 64! I’ve always been interested in self development and as I get older, it’s even more important...times running out! I need to focus. 😂🤣. Your videos are very entertaining and spot on...in my humble opinion! Thank you for providing quality information, and inspiration for my today, tomorrow and the next day etc. I’m looking forward to the next video. You, have a great day too. Joyce
You shared a LOT of valuable personal experience, dude. thank you so much! great video!
The playlist and turn off notifications/turn on do not disturb are magical.
That example you used about dead lines was so accurate man, youre super gifted with the way you explain certain topics.
You must be super young lol
Kepharticus I’m actually bout to be 21 bro; just liked the way he worded it. I was lazy in high school and always did my projects and essays last minute so I could relate and understand it way better by him using an example that’s all lmao
I cant even focus on playing video games anymore
Yea same dude :D
@Minutes Crazy, I was just feeling the same today. From a technical standpoint, there are many good games this console Generation, but I feel like they're not as fun compared to the last Gen.
ok am not alone .
@Minutes DARF DER KEVIN SPIELEN KOMMEN???!!
Oof
I watch these videos to procrastinate more "productively"
I just want to say I found this video a few weeks ago and it dramatically improved my quality of life. All of the other "motivational" stuff that I have watched didn't ever resonate that deeply with me or only had very short term effects on my productivity. Thank you!!!!
Been DREAMING for a new video! Glad to see you posting hope this channel goes very far! So many people will benefit from this channel!
Your channel is literally the best on TH-cam , everything in my life is I just find it here , thank you a lot man 🙏🏾 .
4th tip, the flow state actually works dude.
I had to do my work but I saw ur video notif so I thought just see video at 1.5x quickly and at beginning it was hard.
But idk how it happened till the last tip, I wasn't feeling like leaving.
It happened everytime but I never noticed. Thanks bro! 😊
When you said you thought you had ADHD
THATS ME RIGHT NOW. My whole life I've always procrastinated. I always studied the last few days for exams, worked on a project or assignment the last day. When I came upon the concept of hyperfocus, I could relate immediately. And I've been trying to trigger my hyperfocus but it seems like its only triggered when a deadline is close. I havent watched the video yet but I truly hope I get a solution once and for all.
Thea, sorry for mispronouncing your name. I am a big silly.
Also, I forgot to mention that Tiege Hanley is a monthly subscription box so it's a great way to automate great skin without even thinking about it. I'm seriously noticing a huge improvement after only one month, so definitely give it a try: www.tiege.com/betterideas
Alpha m got u 😂🤣 , but the product make sense
Have you heard of Theacrine? Its like caffeine but with WAY less tolerance (people use it for weeks without much tolerance) and less side effects. It targets the CNS unlike caffeine which effects the cardiovascular. Only problem is the 20 hour half-life.
He: Unstimulate your brain , slow down
Me: *watches video on 0.5x speed*
Good idea
I´m part of the 5% of your audience.... :D
same :^)
Same
Same
Same! We should share this to our fem-friends so the numbers change. 😛
how come the numbers are so one sided?
I mean this is quite the important topic.
An entire class of 26 people liked that video but not the ad. :) Great job.
We are from Bulgaria and we liked your advertisement ;)
We like man especially Vasko
Connection terminated.
I'm sorry to interrupt you Elizabeth, if you still even remember that name. But I'm afraid you've been misinformed. You are not here to receive a gift, nor have you been called here by the individual you assume. Although you have indeed been called.
You have all been called here. Into a labyrinth of sounds and smells, misdirection and misfortune. A labyrinth with no exit, a maze with no prize. You don't even realize that you are trapped. Your lust for blood has driven you in endless circles, chasing the cries of children in some unseen chamber, always seeming so near, yet somehow out of reach.
But you will never find them, none of you will. This is where your story ends.
And to you, my brave volunteer, who somehow found this job listing not intended for you. Although there was a way out planned for you, I have a feeling that's not what you want. I have a feeling that you are right where you want to be. I am remaining as well, I am nearby.
This place will not be remembered, and the memory of everything that started this can finally begin to fade away. As the agony of every tragedy should. And to you monsters trapped in the corridors: Be still and give up your spirits, they don't belong to you.
For most of you, I believe there is peace and perhaps more waiting for you after the smoke clears. Although, for one of you, the darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole, so don't keep the devil waiting, old friend.
My daughter, if you can hear me, I knew you would return as well. It's in your nature to protect the innocent. I'm sorry that on that day, the day you were shut out and left to die, no one was there to lift you up into their arms the way you lifted others into yours. And then, what became of you.
I should have known you wouldn't be content to disappear, not my daughter. I couldn't save you then, so let me save you now.
It's time to rest. For you, and for those you have carried in your arms.
This ends for all of us.
End communication.
No vasko likes little children
@@scoopy1801 touch grass
*Hopes I won the give away when I didn't enter to win*
hahahaha
Lol me too 😂😂😂
Dude your videos are so dope how tf u got 80k only, underrated af
legend says if you add Tiege Hanley to water it turns into wine!
Gotta get the ratios right though. 2tbs of Tiege for every 10 gallons of water
not only you are an excellent DJ but also give good productivity advice... good job boris brejcha
For anybody looking for an alternative to coffee, Matcha tea contains caffeine and also contains L-Theanine
Or or.... Just take Theacrine. Its like caffeine but with WAY less tolerance (people use it for weeks without much tolerance) and less side effects. It targets the CNS unlike caffeine which effects the cardiovascular.
@@Web720 this is getting sophisticated. any links on that?
@@tikkivolta2854 Pretty much got from Googling it, YT, and Reddit.
Tenzing Khedup I’m confused. Caffeine affects the CNS too
Yea but it's too expensive for most people
I've REALLY needed a video like this tbh. I often find myself distracted and finding it difficult to focus on important things when I'm not in work.
The title to this video was so inspiring that instead of watching it I pushed through my boring tasks and got sh*t done. I have no regrets ;) Thanks for the motivating title!
The flow state is not as simple as just "getting over the hump", but it's a good general guideline. The basic idea is that you want to feel challenged, but not so much that it causes anxiety.
honestly the first point is really really important. the amount that pointless media consumption messes up our brain is shocking.
I've been studying for a difficult professional certification exam lately and I've been so unfocused. These tips really help a lot. Thank you!
Cold showers, hydration, nutrition, exercise and proper sleep schedule can together eliminate the need for coffee. After getting all those things in order, i find that i have high energy levels throughout the day
I've been doing this now for a couple of months and I am feeling better than ever and I figured this out myself and now I know I'm not the only one.
I'm not regularly exercising tho but I am doing the other hacks and it's doing wonders for me.
This is something many people lack today. (Actually living a healthy lifestyle) "A healthy body equals a healthy mind," They are connected and a great book to learn about different aspects of your health is "Boundless By Ben Greenfield."
About your productivity playlist tip, i've found this to be an absolute blessing in recent years. Though i'll listen to just about anything (except country, sorry not sorry :D), JRPG-styled video game OSTs and synthwave/synthmetal seem to work the best for me. It's highly dependent on your tastes but something that has no words to distract my thinking processes tends to work the best.
> Makes video about staying focused
> Proceeds to make it difficult to focus on video by taking 2:30 to actually start discussing the subject matter
thanks for this! he really should have done that at the end of the video....
But you're so inept, you can't even use pronouns or write a complete sentence. At least he made a video.
@@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana What? You're really attempting to judge the entirety of my writing ability because I chose to repeat "video" instead of using "it" in a short comment on the friggin' internet? If you're gonna do an ad hominem attack to defend the honor of a random youtuber you most likely never met, at least do it right and take context and intended audience into account. As it stands, the only ineptitude in the picture is your own.
@@bennemann Dang, this was a very well executed comeback. Well done.
@@bennemann r/murderedbywords
loving your content man i was having insane brain fog and you helped me reach a breakthrough to what was causing it.
Love this video! This is something I'm actively trying to do and it's helped so much. Thank you for creating such creative and helpful content!
Thanks Jewel, great seeing you on the Improvement Hub :)
I have ADD, study psychology and am also a drummer. I'm VERY experienced with procrastination/loss of focus while also being able to hyperfocus on things as well (games, music). Even with all the things I have learned about focus, you manage to put things in a way that is clear and inspiring. The stuff about flow state is a common subject in positive psychology too and I must say I admire the way you teach yourself
One thing most people still misunderstand about ADHD, even if they think they understand it, is how it presents as a massive challenge in directing your attention where it needs to be - or where you want it to be
Watching this on day 3 of getting out of a rut and right before my first day of getting back into intentional work sessions :) really great info, thanks for the videos!
Please keep this up. You're really helping people. This is so intuitive it's almost silly how much this helps.
These are actually really good tips, from somebody with ADHD who's tried every "hack" in the book! I'll try these and probably find some way to screw it up lol, but here's to hoping! Usually I get a productivity boost for at least a little while when I try a new productivity method so thank you :)
P.S. Also a member of the other 8% of your audience lol
Your a genius wizard or something. Keep these videos coming please. Its helpful
I was also struggling with focus. I thought I had ADHD as well. Luckily I don't. I don't need/use any drugs, unless you consider caffeine a drug. I typically drink 1 cup of coffee throughout the entire day and maybe a soda or 2 when I get home from class. But the one thing I was really missing was a lack of a goal and a growth mindset. I strongly believe that those two are powerful motivators.
Thank you, I think my biggest problem is I used to watch a few youtube videos first thing in the morning. All of these videos really are incredibly useful in life! I want to donate in the future
*YOU'RE A FREAKING GENIUS MAN*
Thankfully, I was stimulating my brain enough to come across this video and your channel. I, too, use the "Do Not Disturb" feature on my iPhone. Mostly when I go to sleep, so notifications don't wake me up. But, I've started using it when I know I need to focus on detail-oriented work.
I'd also suggest pushing through the "frustration hump". Those moments where what you're working on isn't unfolding like you thought it should and you suddenly get frustrated and want to stop. Thanks for the great advice. Subbed.
RIP my 400mg caffeine preworkout
Hahaha tone it down brotha, you don't need it! Terry Crews eats an apple.
@@betterideas not true. th-cam.com/video/0YUnPd1NVzg/w-d-xo.html. to get the full beneficial effect it's (KG body weight x 4mg-6mg). if youre 80kg you need 320-480mg of caffeine to get the effects of musccular increase. 1mg-3mg just suppresses appetite.
Basicaly this means if youre going to use caffeine you have to workout in the morning, which is a fine thing to do considering all the benefits of it. there's no way u can eaat 500mg of caffeine (5 cups of coffee) at 8pm and get a good nights sleep.
Thank you! At least three of your tips are going to be incorporated into notes on my daily timetable. Also, I liked the way you talk, especially the way a little smile is playing at the corner of your mouth all the time, it makes your suggestions sound so very friendly. Please, keep up the good work. I'm subscribing.
4:49 I would highly recommend Jazz or classical music since your brain is not distracted with the beats or whatever its called im not a music guy but when I listen to jazz and clasical It helps me to relax and get in a productive groove
I don't really listen to jazz but I have done some of my best work while listening to classical music and especially songs done with the piano or violin
For me its the opposite, jazz and classical is just too good to ignore, i play radio music because its just the same 3 notes over and over
I'm getting a job soon, and this unstimulizing idea is exactly what I needed to realize right now. I'll be way more motivated now to just do work and deal with the side-effects of not getting enough dopamine.
This is beautiful! You are incredible!
Not as beautiful as your glowing, radiant, Tom Holland face.
Do Not Disturb has has been a miracle for the year, and you can always turn it off if you REALLY need to like when expecting an important call
"someone knocks on your door and you're like don't... like *_D O N ' T_* "
You are very charming! so nice to listen to you.
About the hump, I've noticed when I want to quite the work and go to youtube as I did just now it's either I saw the loong list of editing I need to do or there is one particular editing that is not comfortable for me. So the solution for me is not to go through the whole list but focus on one point each time or just to force myself for one minute to do the uncomfortable thing and after it goes smoother.
Our brain tries to avoid difficulties at any cost and sometimes it wins
I've been taking L-Theanine for a couple months now with my morning espresso. It's a game changer. No more caffeine induced anxiety 🤙
I've noticed that your videos have significantly increased in production quality. I was recommended your videos about 2 months ago and you keep growing so much.
Another great video! Keep it up
When you mentioned ADHD, I knew that video was for me.
same
so did i.
Same
Lucas Soares same... I have ADHD
Same because it’s hard to stay focused
His point about being overly stimulated and then focusing on a less stimulating task is so on point. This happened to me exactly.
After any statement you should say: "It's just a *better* *idea* "
Yes please!👏😂
Fantastic, love this! I have videos/music I have on in the background when I know I need to be in my most productive state, but until now never had a playlist. Will set this up for sure!
Summary
1) waking up early before your schedule and doing the task you have been procrastinating on the whole time
2) create yourself a productivity playlist and practice being productive while listening to it cuz otherwise, you will create bad brain associations and become prone to being non-productive when listening to it a second time.
3) Consume Caffeine Smartly: (Note: you can use caffeine to your advantage; more specifically, if you have a pretty much steady set of activities in terms of energy required for it, caffeine isn’t recommended, on the other hand, it can be used)
a) don’t exceed 300mg/day
b) space out dosages of caffeine throughout the day, meaning don’t take it all once and don’t use it on an empty stomach
4) the ‘Concentration Humb’
Take advantage of the ‘flow state’ where after 20 minutes of work, you will be able to enter that state without having the urge to quit, turning phone notifications or even keeping your phone away from the work environment you have made can be really helpful as well.
Thank me later
Dude I can really relate to you regarding ADHD/mental illness, I've struggled for years to try and stay organized- stay focused, and to commit to projects, I always thought I might have some sort of autism, and I've had teachers make comments (in Art class I had a breakdown about feeling stressed and not being able to focus because I felt like the stuff they were getting us to do didn't matter to me, she said I might be autistic) (At university I was talking to a lecturerer about not being able to focus, feeling stressed, feeling down and not having many friends at the time, he said I might have ADHD (not gonna bore you with any more examples)) the main issue I have at the moment is I keep telling myself to go to sleep on time but regardless of what I have on the next day, I'll stay up until like 5-6AM either on youtube, talking on discord, or distracted by whatever, I see it as a habbit that has been conditioned over years, and I'll always find something to feel comfortable doing before bed that keeps me up, or I'll have a burst of creativity and go and work on something late at night (the latter is quite rare)
I think the issue with labels is with what they mean to you, to some having autism might seem like a challenge they have to overcome, whereas others might see it as a flaw, something they can't fix, something that will hold them back in life.
"so just take a break..."
*closes chrome*
no!
Writing an essay and reading are both very stimulating for me.
HOW MUCH IS FREAKIN 300MG OF CAFFEINE ANYWAY
I have just gotten a new pet peeve
Atheist 😂😂
Look it up :p an average cup of coffee is like 90mg
Energy drinks can range from 80mg to 300. Sodas are usually below 80mg. Tea is typically 30mg but can go as low as a single mg.
Omg that's a lot. I assumed that would be like 2 cups of coffee max. I get crazy anxiety with any amount of coffee, 1 cup of tea is my daily caffeine limit lol
@@monkiram and here I still end up falling asleep after drinking like 2 cups.
I was just chillin tryna discover this Better Ideas channel and then BOOM *spin jump* my man ALPHA and the best product in history Tiege Hanley chime in!
Thanks so much for the wisdom! This is gonna help my ADHD alot I'm going to incorporate this daily! :)
Any updates? Did the advice help?
What helps me with my ADHD is just working around my issues instead of fighting them - when I'm doing something boring I just know I won't hyperfocus on
1. I take a lot of breaks (like 10 mins of pomodoro and 3 minutes break; sounds ridiculous but it's much better than doing 10 mins of work and realizing I got distracted couple hours later...)
2. I try to limit distractions in my environment - clean desk and noise canceling headphones with good playlist are a must.
3. Setting up website blocking extension keeps reminding me I should be working when I inevitably become distracted
4. I make sure I am slowly sipping on something hydrating and preferably sugary so I don't get tired from low blood sugar.
Getting a little bit of exercise beforehand is also good. It's still hard, but easier!
1) & 4) are probably the strongest in changing your behavior. Thank you.
5:06 dude that's literally what I've been listening to! Chilledcow is the best!
Yea bro amen to that
You are so relatable! I feel extremely calm watching this stuff. Your videos are the only videos that I watch on 1x speed.
*Brother! Nice video as always and I’m so looking forward to our interview!*
Winny out... _for now_ 😉
Nailed it, I'm 33. Your channel is very helpful. You make taking actions feel less foreboding and more achievable.
"Stop letting other people spend your time for you"
Wow. So far I’ve listened to 4 of your videos and I love them! I experience the the topics you discuss on a regular basis and the advice is extremely helpful and practical.
Focus is something that needs to be mastered. No matter what.
I have heard a lot about nootropics? Anyone else tried them?
Anyway lovely video buddy !
Hope everyone is smashing their day.
yes im taking nootropics right now they do work but they work best when combination with diet and exercise, or with other brain boosters etc
Hey! I just recently stumbled across your videos and I absolutely LOVE them. I have a horrible time focusing and thanks to you, that has changed significantly. Don't stop what you're doing myself and all your other fans love it! Thank you :)
*Begin by drawing your focus on the most important things that are dear to you! Develop that focus into a fire that will not go out! :)*
As a pyromaniac, I agree.
I consider you as my mentor , I consider and respect your work probably more than you do... thats what I think , always remember that kid sitting in one corner of world and , yes, relegiously following your guidance that in turn relegiously giving me fruits in my life , the best ones .... i guess
Raywilliamjohnson flashback at the start!!
you're the better idea
thanks
Here because I lost focus on my work
I loved the last bit of advise, to push through the 20 min focus to enter a flow of concentration
Thanks for the tips. I will try it tomorrow morning. It's 12:48 at night. I'll just sleep now.
Just discovered this channel and from the first look you seem to have answers for everything I want to fix in my life
You must develop a fire-like passion and detach from your surroundings! 🔥💨
That is the goal. What is your method?
The first thing you should do upon waking up in the morning is drink 5 cups of water. Then you should meditate set your goals for the day look yourself in the mirror and remind yourself no matter what happens to me today, all happens for only my greater good. Tell yourself that you love yourself and you accept yourself and you are Perfect Just the Way You Are. Write down on a piece of paper 7 things that you are grateful for. Showing gratitude is the greatest and fastest way to raise your vibration. If you can hold a thought for 21 seconds The Law of Attraction has no choice but to match up to it. These are the subatomic particles that move the physical. Everything on the planet is made up of atoms, inside the atoms are three things a neutron, a proton, and an electron, these are the sub atomic particles. Subatomic particles are what's listening to your energy from your thoughts. I study the things you can't see that push the physical. It's okay if you don't believe in them, they certainly believe in you. Namaste
Thanks a lot Bonnie - very insightful. Just one thing, where do you have this 21 seconds rule for holding a thought from?
Hey man Pls make a video on how to deal with depression and anxiety while we were on nofap
You got a problem bro go outside and get stimulated differently
11:05 it's true, I'm an artist, sometimes I get bored and artblocked but if I force myself to draw and just keep drawing for 15~20 minutes, my brain automatically makes drawing become an interesting activity again.
Notes for Myself :
1) Unstimulate your brain : do an activity that stimulates the brain and you enjoy before doing the boring stuff, like reading, walking outside, no screens. Endorphines secretions. Also, notifications-off lower the addiction to screens and affect the concentration.
2) Make your playlist : a productivity playlist. Creates a pavlov reflex : Productivity playlist creat brain association with working and concentration.
3) Use caffeine correctly : using it a smart way, do not overpass 300mg caffeine per day, because can create a chemical dependance. Don't have coffe on empty stomac to avoid energy crash
4) Get past the Hump : Force yourself to concentrate on the activity for 20 min to enter the flow state.
Holy fuck legit all the steps you explained are things I already kinda do, but I've never been able to quantify the steps I do to make sure I focus... damn good vid
Info is safe with me... Gives his name and the country he lives in
Playlist is the best advice I tested
after watching this, I'm probably going back to procrastinate
man this has been plaguing my life since i was a kid :/ in school there are hard deadlines and teachers to make sure you hand in things on time. But working from home is a whole other beast 🥱
It's taken me 2 hours to finish this 12 minute video. :-D
Really awesome quality, production, and composition to the video! Keep it up!
How did you come to Video editing as a job?
Reached out to a guy on Linkedin to see if he wanted a video for his business. He said yes. The rest has been referrals. :)
@@betterideas wow u reply so cool man
It’s been really good to watch your videos. Thanks a million for everything.
Coffe + L-theanine + Gotu Kola + workout + meditation = success
That is a good idea about the Playlist. I have a special kickboxing workout system I do, and I only listen to my Playlist when I'm doing that. I also have specific workout clothes that are only worn when fight training. Keeps it sacred/set apart.