The Best Productivity Hacks For People Who Can’t Focus

 

Some days your to-do list seems totally doable - but your brain just won’t cooperate. You sit down with the best intentions, only to end up scrolling on your phone, staring into space or doing everything except the task at hand. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And the good news is, it’s fixable.

Can’t focus isn’t a personal failing. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. More often than not it’s a cluttered mind, stress you haven’t addressed or simply not setting yourself up with the right environment or routine habits. So let’s get to the bottom of why focus is so elusive and what you can do to get it back.

What’s Getting In The Way Of Your Focus?

Before you can fix the problem you need to understand what’s behind it. Here are the most common culprits:

Distractions Are Always There

No surprise focus is hard to come by when notifications, emails and background noise are always competing for your attention. Even brief interruptions can derail your thought process and make it hard to get back on track.

You’re Overwhelmed Or Stressed

When your mind is spinning with worries - whether it’s deadlines, relationship stress or just being spread too thin - your brain goes into survival mode. Focus becomes a luxury. You may find it hard to stay grounded or productive because your mental bandwidth is already maxed out.

You Don’t Feel Motivated

Let’s face it—when you’re not excited about a task it’s hard to get started. Without a clear reason or sense of purpose procrastination takes over. Things get pushed aside and your productivity goes down the drain.

 

Real Solutions For Focus

Once you know what’s distracting you, you can do something about it. These work in real life.

Create A Space To Focus

Your environment can either support or sabotage your focus. Start by minimising distractions: silence notifications, close tabs, try noise-cancelling headphones if you’re in a noisy space. Put your phone in another room if you can. And make your space feel organised and calm—it should tell your brain it’s time to focus.

Tackle What’s Really Stressing You Out

Stress isn’t just in your head—it shows up in how you work, how you think and how well you can concentrate. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause and figure out what’s really bothering you. Are you getting enough sleep? Is your schedule too full? Are you skipping breaks? Make space for recovery—whether that’s better sleep, journaling or a short walk between tasks.

Reconnect With Your “Why”

It’s hard to focus on a task that feels pointless. So try stepping back and asking: Why am I doing this? Whether it’s a long term career goal, building something meaningful or just getting a task done so you can enjoy your evening guilt free—reminding yourself of the bigger picture can boost your motivation.

Source: raymondjames.com

Productivity Hacks To Focus

Once you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to implement productivity hacks to maximise your focus and efficiency.

Pomodoro Technique

This simple but effective method is to work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. After 4 cycles, take a 15-30 minute break. It trains your brain to focus in short bursts and makes big tasks feel more manageable.

Use a pomodoro timer to track each session - this is where the Rest and Digest Productivity Timer shines. A minimalist but powerful tool to help you stay on track during study, work or creative projects. No distractions, no apps—just a clear and calm way to structure your time.

Prioritise Tasks And Set Real Goals

Not everything on your to-do list is created equal. Use the Eisenhower Matrix or simply divide your tasks into “Must-Do,” “Should-Do,” and “Nice-to-Do.” Break down big tasks into smaller actions to avoid overwhelm.

Need a tool to keep it all organised? Our Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal is designed for intentional planning and goal tracking. With a Grid Guide, Pocket Guide and thoughtful structure, it helps you build a system that works for your brain—not against it. Available in Black, Blush and Blue22, it’s as beautiful as it is functional.

Or maybe a touch of elegance? Our Bespoke Letterpress Linen Bullet Journal features gold foil details, satin ribbons and 200 dot grid pages to capture everything from your goals to your daily to-dos. It’s an inspiring tool that makes organisation feel like a ritual, not a chore. For more ideas and information on how to go about writing a bullet journal see our blog post.

Take Breaks And Move Your Body

Physical activity gets oxygen to your brain, improves concentration and mental clarity. Even a 5-minute stretch or a quick walk around the block can reset your focus. Don’t do marathon work sessions—your brain needs recovery time to perform at its best.

Use Music Or White Noise To Block Out Distractions

Instrumental music, nature sounds or white noise can help block distractions and improve concentration. Find a soundscape that keeps your mind engaged without pulling your attention. Try apps like Noisli, Brain.fm or even curated playlists designed for focus.

Productivity Apps And Tools

Notion, Trello or Todoist can simplify your workflow and clear your mind. Automate recurring tasks or schedule reminders so you don’t have to remember everything. And combine with physical tools—like the Rest and Digest Productivity Timer—to cover all angles.

 

How To Stay Focused Long Term?

Improving focus isn’t a one off—it’s about creating habits that support your mental clarity over time.

Practice Mindfulness And Meditation

Daily mindfulness practices—even just 5 minutes—can train your brain to stay present. Breathing exercises, meditation or mindful journaling reduce mental noise and increase your ability to focus. Over time mindfulness rewires your brain for calm and clarity.

Be Consistent With Your Routine

Your brain loves patterns. Creating a daily routine for work, rest and play helps regulate your energy and focus. Start with small habits and specifically make time for doing them: wake up at the same time, have a daily work ritual and wind down consistently. Routines bring stability which fuels productivity.

Continuously Assess And Adjust Your Strategies

Not everything works for everyone. Check in with yourself regularly - what’s working, what’s not and where are you slipping? Self awareness is key. Adapt your tools, tweak your schedule or even change your environment if needed. Flexibility is just as important as discipline.

 

Your Focus Journey Starts Here

Focus isn’t about forcing your brain to work harder - it’s about working smarter. When you know what’s blocking your attention and apply strategies to manage those barriers you set yourself up for long term success.

Start small. Use the Pomodoro Technique, minimise distractions, move your body and use the right tools. Whether it’s writing your goals in a Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal, tracking habits in a Bespoke Letterpress Linen Bullet Journal or timing your sessions with the Rest and Digest Productivity Timer the right time management resources can make productivity feel more natural and even enjoyable.

Your brain can focus deeply. It just needs the right support.

 

Top 10 Key Human Attention Span Statistics

1. The average person checks their phone 58 times a day.
2. 75% of people admit to skimming articles instead of reading them in full.
3. The average person spends just 37 seconds reading an article online.
4. 55% of people spend less than 15 seconds on a website before leaving.
5. The average person can only focus on a task for 20 minutes before getting distracted.
6. Multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%.
7. The average person spends 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media every day.
8. 90% of people admit to using their phone while in the bathroom.
9. People touch their phones over 2,000 times a day on average.
10. The attention span of humans has decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8 seconds in 2021.

Source: towsendla.com