Using priming to help you focus

Jul 26, 2023

How are you this Wednesday? Has your focus been on point today?

I definitely have days when my focus is better than others and as with all aspects of life, I find the better you set yourself up, the greater the chance you have for success. There are two key ways that I do this:

I have a solid to do list process to keep me on task - you can see the process I use here Why paper to do lists work for me
I set up my Google Chrome browser to limit distractions - you can see three of the Chrome Extensions I use here - 3 Chrome Extensions To Help You Focus

One of the extensions uses the psychological principle of priming. In psychology, priming means that when you see or experience something (like a word or an image), it can influence how you react to something else later on. The first thing you see is called the "prime," and it can make certain thoughts or feelings more likely to pop up when you encounter the next thing, is referred to as the "target."

If we take an everyday example like seeing lots of pictures of delicious food while scrolling on Instagram. Later, you might be more likely to feel hungry when someone mentions getting a bite to eat. Priming can affect how we think and behave without us even realising it so we can use it to our advantage to help us focus.

By strategically using priming techniques, we can create an environment that encourages concentration and enhances our cognitive abilities. Here are some ways we can utilise priming to help us stay focused on our tasks:

Routine and Rituals: Establishing a consistent routine or ritual before beginning work can signal to your brain that it's time to concentrate. It could be something as simple as organising your desk, reading your to do list items, or listening to a particular playlist. These actions act as primes that prepare your mind for the work ahead.

Minimise Distractions: Priming also works by removing negative or distracting influences. Ensure your workspace is tidy and free from clutter. Put your phone on silent or out of sight, and consider using website blockers or apps that restrict access to social media during work sessions (see my Google Chrome extension post for the ones I use).

Set Clear Objectives: Before beginning a work session, take a moment to define clear and achievable objectives for the work session. This primes your mind with a sense of direction and purpose, helping you concentrate on completing tasks more effectively.

Positive Affirmations: This is something that is really helpful when you have to work on very challenging tasks. Engage in positive self-talk before starting the work. Remind yourself of your capabilities and past challenging tasks you have successfully completed. By priming your mind with confidence and self-assurance, you'll be more focused on the tasks and be less likely to avoid working on them.

As you can see, priming can be a super useful too for enhancing focus and increasing your productivity. A key factor running through these priming techniques is intentionally influencing your thoughts and emotions about how you are going to use your time and what you are going to work on. This can create a mental state that is more conducive to getting work done efficiently and with greater concentration.

If you try some of these techniques or the Google Chrome extensions I would love to hear how they work for you!

Using priming to help you focus

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