How to control attention: 17 handy tips

How to control attention?  When you set goals, but get distracted, you miss out.  Staying focused and motivated is crucial.  Read on for tips on working smart and better concentration.

I’m a solopreneur and blogger.  Having worked on my terms for 12 years (updated), I’ve seen how crucial taking initiative is.  Being my own boss, I can’t risk procrastination.

Focus is key to progress.  On the other hand, getting distracted goes against you.  Working smart supports productivity.  

In my post, I’ll list helpful tips that you can use personally.  However, I’ll give specific examples for bloggers and digital solopreneurs.

How can I control attention?

Are there times when you get lost in thoughts, and feel distracted?  Do you tend to miss out on deadlines?  If you do so, at least from time to time, you’re missing out.

The daily tasks that you perform are small milestones.  Each one takes you closer to your bigger goals.  When you postpone for later, and later, it adds up to a lot.

It takes willpower to adopt better habits.  Some proven techniques help.  One example is the Pomodoro method.

Using Pomodoro, work for a 25-minute session, take a break of 5 minutes, and get back to your next task or session.  After 4 sessions, take a longer break. Find more info in my post on Pomodoro productivity.

Good attention vs bad attention

When it comes to what you focus on, not all things are equal.  Some are more productive than others.  It can be subjective and differs from person to person.

When it comes to working smarter for success, you have to be choosy.  Say no to time-wasters.  It often depends on you to allow or block them. 

Let’s see some general examples of unwanted distractions

External sources:

• Clutter
• Social media
• Email
• Phone calls and texts
• Noise

Internal sources:

• Procrastination
• Perfectionism
• Multitasking
• Self-doubt
• Comparison

Tech sources:

• The internet
• Email notifications
• News and current events
• Online games

Other sources:

• Fatigue
• Hunger
• Lack of motivation

You may wish to read my other article for more on staying away from time-wasters.  Separate the redundant and needless activities from the crucial ones.  It helps to save time, as you concentrate on what’s most important to you.

How to manage your attention and your priorities

As a blogger working on your terms, you hold yourself accountable for progress.  Isn’t it easy to let go?  Solopreneurs need to embrace being disciplined and working smart.

Examples of how bloggers can deal with it:

1. Clutter.  I keep my home office minimalist.  I store most objects in a cabinet.  Stationery and my devices are left close by.
2. Social media.  Being a blogger, I need to check my channels often.  However, I’ve disabled unnecessary notifications.  My close ones only phone if it’s urgent, as I normally see matters later. 
3. Email.  I check my emails twice or thrice a day.  I check my priority folder the most.  I also respond to relevant emails within 24-48 hours, on weekdays.
4. Phone calls and texts.  I attend webinars and Zoom calls.  I don’t normally use phone calls for my blog.  If you do so, prioritize urgent calls, such as brands you collaborate with.
5. Noise.  Try to have an environment conducive to concentration.  You can’t do much if there are construction works nearby.  However, you can keep your windows closed, or move to a quieter corner of the house.
6. Procrastination.  Always postponing might feel comfortable.  However, you risk missing out on opportunities.  Prepare yourself to take challenges and grow personally. 
7. Perfectionism.  Let go of it!  I started my blog as a hobby, and it’s now my side hustle.  I wasn’t perfect when I started, nor am I now.  However, I learned so much as a newbie, and still do all the time.
8. Multitasking.  Focus, control, and multitasking don’t happen simultaneously.  Doing so is known to be stressful.  Read more in my post on how to cope with juggling.
9. Self-doubt.  It happens to anyone.  You can sometimes doubt your abilities.  When you boost your skills, you accomplish more.
10. Comparison.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  No matter how many followers you have, be yourself.  In a world of fakeness, authenticity is special.  People want to talk to real people.    
11. The internet.  There’s so much out there, online.  You can end up procrastinating.  Set a time limit to browse and stick to it.  Have well-defined goals to guide your actions productively.
12. Email notifications.  I see value in minimizing notifications.  Choose which ones are likely to be urgent.  For example, if you use Instagram DMs for leads, you need them.  On the other hand, if emails can wait, see them afterward.
13. News and current events.  There’s always so much happening around the world.  I focus on industry news as a priority.  However, I set a limit on the time I spend daily to check them.
14. Online games.  I don’t normally play video games, but I used to when I was younger.  If you do, you may set goals on the duration and frequency of your sessions.  They’re fun but could waste time as well.
15. Fatigue.  Burnout is a mess.  You feel tired, and your productivity levels decrease.  I take regular breaks and have a self-care routine. 
16. Hunger.  Feeling hungry prevents focus.  Ensure that you have proper breakfast, lunch, and dinner.   Take breaks for tea, or coffee.  Drink enough water throughout the day.
17. Lack of motivation.  Motivation can decrease over time.  Remind yourself of your goals.  Remember your ‘why’ and choose to persevere through discipline and self-motivation.

Mindfulness and meditation

Relax, let your mind rest.  Your whole body will feel at ease.  Breathe in and out, calmly.

Meditation techniques are so helpful.  I once took some sessions of mindfulness to learn the techniques.  I make it a point to practice daily at home.

Allocate some time in your morning routine for serenity.  The day is full of hustle and bustle.  Enjoy your quiet break of dawn.  If you can’t allocate time early, practice later on.

Ensure that you have enough sleep.  Proper sleep is a must daily.  Stay alert and energetic.

Conclusion

Take control of your attention.  Lead a more productive life.  The benefits are numerous.  From slaying your goals to serenity, there’s so much to gain.

Editor’s Note: This blog article was last updated on 14 November 2025 for better accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Wikipedia articles:

Attention span

Flow (psychology)