Here are a few things that have worked for me:
Set your goal in one sentence.
What is the outcome of your work or studying on that particular day — finish two chapters of a textbook, read 50 pages of a novel, organize a spreadsheet with financial data? Before you begin work, say what you want to achieve. Do it out loud and be specific about the what and the how long: "Today I want to complete ___ in __ hours." This technique helps because it sets you up with a short-term goal for one day, instead of keeping the outcome vague. Think of it as a promise you make to yourself.
Imagine the work.
This technique is called visualization. Essentially, you imagine in detail what you want to learn, read, or complete. It's like talking through all the steps you'll take. If you are studying for the midterm exam, visualize the amount of chapters of the textbook you'll read, imagine taking notes on important concepts, and imagine writing down questions you need to follow up on later. This technique is beneficial because it serves as a story you're telling your brain so it can "map out" the learning process.
Get rid of, or reduce, your distractions.
It can be extremely hard to concentrate when you have small things happening all around you: the mobile phone is lighting up with notifications, the neighbors are playing loud music, the TV is playing in the background, or someone is coming into your room asking questions. To reduce this noise, you can do several things. Set your phone to Airplane mode or just turn off the volume and place it somewhere away from your desk so you cannot see it. Let housemates and family members know you're studying for several hours and put a note on the door so they're reminded of this. The obvious one is to turn off the TV and any additional screens that are not related to your work. To reduce the noise around you, put on headphones and listen to music if that helps, or get silicone ear plugs (the kind that you can shape and insert in your ear) to block off sound.
Use a timer to structure your sessions.
Why? Because there's no need to spend hours working endlessly on any single task. The brain needs time to absorb new information, and you're more likely to stay motivated to work if you take frequent breaks. How much time you set is up to you. If you prefer a longer session, set the timer to 60 minutes and always take a 10–15 minute break in between sessions. If you want to "sprint" through the work, try the Pomodoro technique: work in 25-minute blocks, followed by a 5-minute break. My tip is to use the Pomodoros when you have more work to go through, because it will set a dynamic tempo to your day and you won't feel sleepy.
Calm your busy mind.
Everyone has certain habits they prefer to calm their thoughts. Choose one that works best for you. It can be taking a walk every evening for 30 minutes to an hour, or practicing meditation for 10 minutes (a good way to start is with the Headspace app), or breathing slowly using the 4–7–8 exercise (inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of 4; hold your breath for a count of 7; exhale through your mouth loudly to a count of 8; repeat the cycle several times).
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