Tag: productivity

Living Now, Mindfulness, Personal Development

Mindfulness Tips

Lyn Bailey

Mindfulness Tips for Daily Life

 

Learn how to practice mindfulness with simple techniques and tips for all ages. Enhance your well-being and manage stress effectively. Start today!

Mindful.org emphasizes how mindfulness can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and just make you feel better overall. It’s like giving your mind a much-needed break from the constant chatter.

When you incorporate mindfulness into your routine, you start to live with more intention. You’re not just reacting to everything on autopilot. This shift in perspective can make your experiences richer and help you handle life’s inevitable ups and downs with more resilience.

Think of mindfulness as a powerful tool in your back pocket, ready to help you manage anxiety and stress. It’s a path towards better mental health and a calmer, more focused you.

Integrate Mindfulness into Your Day

Instead of thinking of mindfulness as something “extra” you have to do, try weaving it into your existing routine. Here’s how you can bring mindfulness to three key parts of your day:

Mindful Mornings: Start Your Day Right

How you begin your morning sets the tone for everything you do. Instead of immediately reaching for your phone, take a few moments for yourself. Think about how you want to approach the day. What qualities do you want to embody? What kind of energy do you want to bring to your interactions? Setting a clear intention first thing in the morning can make a world of difference.

Mindful Work: Stay Present at Work 

Let’s be real: work can get stressful. But you can use mindfulness to stay grounded, even on hectic days. If you feel your attention waning or frustration mounting, try taking a few deep breaths. This simple act can bring you back to the present moment and help you respond to challenges with more clarity. Remember, mindfulness can actually improve your focus, allowing you to be more productive and engaged with your tasks.

Mindful Evenings: Wind Down with Intention 

After a long day, it’s tempting to just collapse on the couch. But taking a few minutes for a mindful wind-down can lead to more restful sleep. Try a short walk and pay attention to the sights, sounds, and sensations around you. As you get ready for bed, reflect on your day. What went well? What are you grateful for? Acknowledging both the positive and negative experiences can help you process your emotions and let go of any lingering stress.

Remember, mindfulness is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, experiment with different techniques, and find what works best for you.

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Abundance, Living Now, Mental Health

5 Benefits to Starting Your Day with Gratitude

Lyn Bailey

Why Start Your Day With Gratitude and Positive Thinking?

Did you know that starting your day with positivity is one of the best things you can do to improve your life? It has an immediate, powerful impact on your life. The benefits are numerous, and you start experiencing them from the first day you deliberately begin your day being positive and grateful.

These are the top five benefits you gain from a positive start to your day.

Better Mood

Starting your day with positivity increases your mood and helps you have a better day. Being positive brings you inner peace, lowers your stress levels, increases your optimism, and makes you feel good. All of these benefits combine to put you in a better mood.

Taking time out to inject positivity and gratitude into your day improves your mood at all times of the day but it is especially effective first thing in the morning.

Increased Health

Positive people are healthier than their peers. This is partly due to the lower stress levels experienced by those who practice positivity, but there is more to it than that and scientists are still working to understand it. Positive people are healthier on every level and tend to live longer as well!

Starting your day with gratitude and positive thinking sets the tone for your entire day and will lead you to be more positive throughout everything in life.

More Success

Being positive and grateful first thing in the morning helps clear your mind and allows you to focus more on your tasks for the day. This leads directly to having more success every day and over the long term. Positive people, as a whole, are much more successful than others. This is true in every aspect of life, from careers to relationships.

Happiness

Not only does starting your day with gratitude and positive thinking increase your mood, but it makes you happier. It boosts all of the “feel-good” hormones in the brain that make you happy. This isn’t a transitory effect, either; it lasts all day and over the long term increases your overall, permanent level of happiness.

Improved Relationships

When you start your day with positivity, you clear your brain and are in a much better space to relate to the people you care about most. This makes it easier to maintain healthy, caring relationships. This improvement starts almost immediately and lasts over the long run.

These are just a few of the benefits you can get from deliberately beginning each day with gratitude and positive thinking. You will experience many more if you make it a habit!

 

 

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Budget, Mental Health, Productivity

Organize Your Finances

Lyn Bailey

Organizing Your Finances for More Efficiency

Organizing your personal finances can help increase your efficiency. Being organized lets you stay on track with your budget, make smart financial decisions, and reach your financial goals.

Click here to get your FREE Tip Sheet – 9 Hacks to an Organised Life.

Being organized for efficiency financially means:

 Having a budget to track your income and expenses

  • Automating your finances by setting up automatic bill payments and savings transfers
  • Keeping your financial records organized so it’s simple to track your progress
  • Working with a financial planner to get professional advice on managing your money

The first step in personal finance is to find out where you stand financially, which will require some level of organization. You must know your income, expenses, debts, and assets. Start by getting organized so that on any given day at any given time, you can easily see where you stand financially without any stress.

Keep track of your spending — Knowing where your money is going is the first step to being more organized. Keep a budget or use a tracking app to help you get an idea of where your money goes each month. Personally, I find using Spending Tracker a very handy way to do this on a daily basis.

Make a budget — Once you know where your money is going, you can make a budget to ensure you’re spending within your means. Don’t forget to include savings so you will reach your future financial goals.

Set up a system —Whether it’s a physical system like folders and a budget binder, or a digital system like Mint or Personal Capital, find a way to track your finances that works for you.

Automate your finances — Automating your finances can help you stay on top of your bills and save money. Set up automatic bill payments and consider using a service like Digit or Acorns to save money automatically. I do this using my mobile bank app as I like to keep everything in the one place if I can.

Keep your receipts — Receipts can help track spending and budgeting purposes. Keep them organized in a system that works for you – use either a physical folder or a digital app.

Stay on top of your credit — Checking your credit report regularly is an excellent way to catch errors and keep track of your credit score. Clear Score sends me weekly updates and notifies me of any changes. It’s a free service.

Review your bank statements — Reviewing your bank statements can help you catch errors and fraudulent charges and keep track of your spending. Doing this on a daily basis really paid off for me recently, as I picked up fraudulent activity on one of my accounts within hours, and my bank was able to stop it immediately.

Invest in a good financial planner — A good financial planner can help you organize your finances, set goals, and make a plan to reach those goals. If you earn enough money to save money, this will be a worthwhile investment to get more organized.

Get organized — Getting your finances organized can help you save money, reduce stress, and make better financial decisions. Use the tips above to help you get started.

Personal finance includes planning for future financial security for you and your family. Organizing your finances efficiently requires creating a system for managing your money that is streamlined and easy to use. This might include setting up a budget, tracking your spending, and creating a system for paying your bills. An efficient system in place will help you save time and money.

Click here to get your FREE Tip Sheet – 9 Hacks to an Organised Life.

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Goals, Mental Health, Productivity, Teenagers

Why Being Productive Matters

Lyn Bailey

Why Being Productive Matters

It is challenging to stay focused and be productive in this maximum information world where you are constantly inundated with distractions. Whether checking your phones, browsing social media, or watching television, there are always things vying for your attention. However, since you only have so much time (time is the most limited resource), it’s essential to use time wisely if your goal is productivity.

Being productive does not require continuous motion or busy work. It simply means you use your time in a way that benefits you. It may seem strange, but doing what you love is productive regardless of what the world has taught you.

It may mean working on a project, hobby, or task you’re passionate about. It may also mean taking care of necessary errands like grocery shopping or cleaning the house. It may also mean hacking away at your to-do list created based on your goals that match your principles, morals, and values. That’s the key—it’s up to you.

There are many benefits to being productive.

  • You’re more likely to see progress in your life
  • You’ll achieve your goals
  • You’ll have high self-esteem
  • You’ll feel a sense of satisfaction
  • You’ll feel pride in your life
  • You’ll experience way less stress, overwhelm, and anxiety
  • You’ll feel a greater sense of purpose
  • You’ll feel as if life is worth living
  • You’ll have more free time

When you take the time to focus on one task at a time, based on your well-researched plan, you’ll promptly get everything you need. Then, when you finish something, you can move on to the next thing feeling more successful.

Plus, when you have things to do that you care about, you’ll realize what a difference you make in the world. When you feel important to the world, you’re more likely to live a satisfying life and live up to your true capabilities.

There are many advantages to being productive. Productivity ensures you achieve your goals, feel good about yourself, reduce stress, and give you a sense of purpose. When you use your time wisely and focus on being productive, you’ll be able to create the life you want and live a more fulfilling existence.

When you are genuinely productive in life, you manage your time well, which gives you more control over your life and how you want to spend your time. And that is invaluable. Plus, the better you are at being productive, the better your children will be at it too. Children learn best from the adults they are closer to and tend to model that behavior, for good or ill.

Ask yourself, are you being productive with your time?

What changes can you make to make better use of your time?

How can you focus more on what’s important to you in order to achieve your goals and create a life you love?

When you take the time to focus on being productive, you’ll be amazed at all you can achieve. Understanding why being productive matters is definitely worth your time. After all, your time is one of the truly limited resources, and how you use it will make a real difference in your level of productivity. Furthermore, when your productivity improves, you’ll see proof that it matters in the results you create.

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Goals, Productivity, Teenagers

Is Your Child Unproductive

Lyn Bailey

Is Your Child Unproductive?

Watching your child struggle is the worst feeling. Of course, you want them to succeed in everything they do, but sometimes it seems like they can’t get ahead. If you realize your child is having trouble completing tasks, is easily distracted, or doesn’t seem to know how to prioritize, it may be time to talk to them about productivity.

These signs offer signals that your child is unproductive, and if left unchecked, your child may start to feel overwhelmed and stressed. With guidance, your child will learn to be more productive and accomplish their goals.

Pay attention if your child has these issues:

  • Trouble Completing Tasks in a Reasonable Time Fram
  • Easily Distracted and Have Issues Focusing
  • Lack of Goalsetting skills, and They Don’t Know How to Prioritize
  • Don’t Start What They Plan and Don’t Finish What They Start
  • Have Unrealistic Expectations and Suffer from Perfectionism
  • Allow Others to Pressure Them
  • Act Out Emotionally

Helping your child with goalsetting will give them something to work towards and provide a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goals. You can also help them create a plan to achieve those goals. This may involve breaking down tasks into smaller steps or teaching them how to prioritize their time better.

Encourage your child to take small, reasonable steps daily to achieve their goals. With a little effort and support from you when they need it, your child will learn to be more productive and may even surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.

Help them learn how important it is to protect their time, so they avoid overscheduling – a leading cause of overwhelm in the unproductive child. An over-scheduled child is always busy, but everything is just too much, so nothing ever gets done. When nothing gets done, the pressure will overwhelm them because kids typically care a lot about what others think and allow that to pressure them more than they may realize. Children thrive with reasonable schedules more than they do with a lot of clutter and disorganization about how they’ll spend their time.

When you help them get stuff done and mark it off their list, they will learn how it feels to be genuinely productive. In addition, as a parent, you can instill a sense of pride in their success by making it a point to celebrate accomplishments. Too often, children are not given enough credit for their achievements and think their parents are just being nice when they praise them. Instead, children need to understand that their parents are proud of their accomplishments and that they have worked hard to achieve them.

When you help your child learn what true productivity feels like and that it does not require continuously being busy all the time, they will be more likely to enjoy getting stuff done in record time so they can enjoy their downtime more. After all, everyone deserves to have a good life that doesn’t just involve things that are work.

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Mental Health, Productivity, Teenagers

11 Causes of Unproductivity in Teens

Lyn Bailey

11 Causes of Unproductivity in Teens

There are many potential reasons teenagers may experience problems with productivity throughout the years. For example, hormonal changes during puberty sometimes lead to mood swings and even disorganization. The teenage years also sometimes mark a period of social upheaval as teens try to find their place in the world leading to distractions and a general sense of aimlessness.

There are many reasons teens may be unproductive. However, here are some to look out for.

  1. Lack of Sleep — Teens need around 8-10 hours of sleep every night, but many don’t get nearly that much. This can lead to fatigue and make it hard to focus or be productive during the day.
  2. Poor Nutrition — Eating a healthy diet is vital for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for growing teens. If they’re not getting enough nutrients, it can lead to problems with concentration and energy levels.
  3. Too Much Screen Time — It’s no secret that teenagers love their screens. Whether it’s phones, computers, or TVs, too much time spent looking at screens can lead to eye strain and headaches. The distraction makes it hard to focus on other tasks. Whether it’s social media, video games, or friends, anything that takes away from focus and distracts the teen can decrease productivity.
  4. Lack of Exercise — Exercise is a great way to boost energy and mood. But many teens are inactive, which can make them feel sluggish and unproductive.
  5. Stress and Anxiety — Stress is a normal part of life, but too much of it can be overwhelming, leading to problems with concentration, sleep, and mood, all of which can make it hard to be productive. Like stress, anxiety can also lead to burnout and make it difficult to focus on tasks.
  6. Depression — This is a severe medical condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating. If left untreated, it can make it very hard to function in everyday life.
  7. Perfectionism – Teens who strive for perfection may never feel like their work is good enough, leading to them never feeling productive.
  8. Poor time management skills – If teens don’t know how to manage their time effectively, they will likely struggle to be productive.
  9. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — ADHD can make it hard to focus and stay on task, leading to decreased productivity.
  10. Procrastination – This is often a result of poor time management skills or lack of motivation. Teens may put off tasks because they don’t want to do them or don’t know how to start.
  11. No Clear Goals or Purpose — It can be hard to be productive if teens don’t have any clear goals or a sense of purpose. Without these, it’s easy to get sidetracked or lost in day-to-day activities.

Of course, there are other reasons for teenage unproductivity, but the issue is usually easily identifiable. If you’re concerned about your teen’s productivity, talk to their doctor or a mental health professional first. A professional can identify any underlying causes and create a plan to help them get back on track. If everything checks out, they may simply require some additional help through a life coach or extra assistance from you.

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Mental Health, Productivity, Teenagers

Is Your Teen Lazy?

Lyn Bailey

Being Unproductive Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Your Teen is Lazy

Lately, it seems like every time you turn around, there’s another study coming out about the dangers of teenage laziness. It will help to look into possible reasons a child might display signs of “laziness” in case that it’s something that can be mitigated.

What if your teen isn’t lazy? What if they’re just unproductive? What if there is a reason for the unproductivity that can be addressed?

It’s essential to understand the difference between laziness and unproductivity. Laziness is a choice – it’s an unwillingness to try. Unproductivity, on the other hand, can result from many different factors. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that your teen is lazy.

There are several reasons why your teen might be unproductive. First, they could be going through a tough time at school or in their personal life. Maybe they’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things they must do. Or perhaps they just need a break in this overly busy topsy turvy world.

Before you worry too much, try to determine if your teen has any of these issues adding to their lack of productivity.

They’re dealing with anxiety or depression.

Anxiety and depression are both pervasive among teenagers. And unfortunately, they can both lead to a lack of motivation and productivity. So if your teen is suddenly uninterested in things they used to love, it could be a sign that they’re dealing with something more than laziness.

They’re procrastinating.

Procrastination is a common problem for teenagers (and adults!). It can be tough to start working on a project when you don’t know where to start, or feel overwhelmed. But the longer they put things off, the harder it becomes. So if your teen is having trouble getting started on their homework or a project, it might be because they’re procrastinating.

They have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism

ADHD and autism make it difficult to focus and stay on task. If your teen constantly forgets things or has trouble paying attention, it could be a sign of either of these.

They’re bored.

Sometimes, teenagers can be unproductive because they’re plain bored. For example, if they’re not challenged at school or they don’t have any hobbies that they’re passionate about, they might not see the point in putting forth any effort.

It’s important to talk to your teen about their unproductivity and help them find ways to overcome it. If they’re feeling overwhelmed, see if there’s anything you can do to lighten their load. It may be as simple as requiring organizational assistance.

If your teen is unproductive, don’t automatically assume it’s because they’re lazy. There could be several reasons they’re struggling to get things done. Whatever the reason for your teen’s lack of productivity, it’s important to talk to them about it.

If they’re dealing with anxiety or depression, they might need professional help. And if they have ADHD, some treatments can help them focus and stay on task. If your teen is bored, try to help them find an activity or hobby they’re enthusiastic about. Whatever the reason, being unproductive doesn’t necessarily mean that your teen is lazy.

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Mindfulness, Productivity, Time Management, Working Mums

7 Distractions That Negatively Affect Your Life

Lyn Bailey

7 Distractions That Negatively Affect Your Life

Distractions are everywhere. They can significantly influence your life — inside and outside the workplace. If you’re not careful, they can hurt your learning ability, causing automobile accidents, drain your energy, affect your performance, increase stress, and more.

If you want to sidestep the harmful consequences of distractions, it is helpful to be conscious of them. Then, once you know potential distractors, you can figure out how to stop them or lessen their effects.

Cell phones

A University of Sussex study found that simply having your cell phone within reach can hurt your performance on cognitive tasks. In fact, your brain is hardwired to respond to notifications – even when you’re not actively using your phone.

Social media

Checking social media can be a major time-suck, and it can also have a negative impact on your mood and mental health. For example, according to the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, self-esteem among regular social media users like Facebook suffers negatively. Moreover, they are more likely to compare themselves unfavorably to others.

Email

Checking email can be a major distraction, especially if you’re expecting an important message. A study by the Radicati Group found that the average person spends nearly two hours per day checking email, which is only expected to grow in the coming years.

Pets and kids

One study shows that having pets and kids at home can be massive sources of distraction for employees trying to get work done. But, of course, pet and human parents probably didn’t need the University of Minnesota study to prove this fact to them.

Hunger or thirst:

It is almost impossible to make your mind focus on anything else if you’re hungry or thirsty. Plus, many studies show that dehydration can lead to a decrease in cognitive performance.

Chatty co-workers

If you work in a typical office with cubicles, chances are you’ve had at least one or two chatty co-workers who seem to think your desk, or the cubical right by yours, is their personal chatting spot. This can be extraordinarily distracting and make it difficult to get work done.

Noise

Whether it’s the sound of traffic outside your window or the chatter of people in the next room, noise can be a significant distraction. A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that office noise can lead to a decrease in productivity and it can also increase stress levels.

Fortunately, you can do a few things to minimize the impact of distractions in your life. If you’re working on anything requiring focus, try to find a quiet place to work. If you can’t avoid chatty co-workers, politely let them know that you’re trying to concentrate and ask them to come back later. And if you’re expecting an important email, turn off notifications, so you’re not constantly interrupted. Of course, you can always schedule time for email checking later.

When you actively take the time to avoid distractions, you will improve your productivity, reduce stress, and live a happier, healthier, more prosperous life.

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Health, Mental Health, Productivity

9 Foods That Help You Concentrate

Lyn Bailey

9 Foods That Help You Concentrate

One way to help yourself focus better is to look at your diet. There are certain foods that can help improve your cognitive function. Add these amazing superfoods to your diet to help improve your concentration levels.

Whole grains

Whole grains are packed with nutrients that improve cognitive function. They contain complex carbohydrates, which provide energy to the brain, and vitamins and minerals essential for healthy brain function. Make sure to include whole grains in your diet by eating whole grain bread, oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice.

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are a fabulous source of brain nutrients. They’re rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, folate, and antioxidants – all essential for healthy brain function. Include leafy greens in your diet by eating them as a side dish or adding them to salads and smoothies.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Healthy brain function must have plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, they help to regulate mood and reduce inflammation. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring are all great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements also ensure you get enough omega-3s each day if you can’t get it in your diet for some reason.

Caffeine

Stimulants like caffeine improve focus and concentration in some people. Coffee, tea, and even energy drinks are sources of caffeine. Ensure you limit caffeine intake to avoid side effects like jitteriness and anxiety.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is both delicious and good for you in moderation. Cocoa flavanols are antioxidants that have been shown to improve cognitive function. Choose dark chocolate low in sugar and has a high cocoa content for the most benefits. To get the most benefit from eating dark chocolate, eat it in moderation as it is also high in calories and fat.

Bananas

Bananas offer a source of potassium and vitamin B6, both of which are essential for healthy brain function, in their own little package. In addition, bananas provide energy to the brain due to their high concentration of dietary fiber, sucrose, and fructose. Eat bananas as a snack or add them to smoothies and yogurt.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the brain from damage. In addition, blueberries are a good quality source of vitamins C, K, and manganese, which are great as a snack or add to yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal.

Avocados

Avocados, packed with vitamins E, K, and folate, are also a good source of healthy fats essential for brain function. Add avocados to salads, sandwiches, or wraps.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds provide healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Some good choices are almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds. Nuts and seeds are yummy as a snack by the handful or add them to your food.

Increasing your concentration and focus can be helpful in all areas of life. So whether you’re trying to improve your grades in school, be more productive at work, or write the next best seller, these are all foods that can help you concentrate better.

Set aside 15-30 minutes each week to plan your menu for the week including these nutritious foods to help you concentrate. If you want help doing this, download my FREE Meal Planner HERE.

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Mental Health, Productivity, Time Management

6 Ways To Improve Your Concentration

Lyn Bailey

Exercises To Improve Your Concentration

There are many benefits to having strong concentration skills. When you can get your brain to focus on the task at hand, you can get more done in less time. You’re also less likely to make mistakes. And you’re able to retain information better. Sadly, it can be very difficult to concentrate in this age of technology and 24/7 information. Thankfully, there are many different exercises you can do to improve your concentration.

Write it down

Knowing exactly what you’re supposed to do makes it easier to get into a state of flow faster. You can’t get into that state if you’re trying to figure out where everything is and how to do it. Write down directions for the task, including what materials or tools you need and the order of operations to help your mind get focused.

Meditate

Some people find that they can improve their concentration by practicing meditation. Try meditating, even at your desk, for just a minute or two between tasks. Giving your brain time to switch to the next task improves focus.

Try a puzzle or brain teaser

Others find that they can improve their concentration by doing things like puzzles or brain teasers. Of course, for some, this can lead you down the rabbit hole of gaming instead of doing the tasks you want, so make sure you set a timer for just a couple of minutes so you can get to your work.

Stop multitasking

Try to focus on one thing at a time. It may feel weird at first, especially if you’re used to multi-tasking – when you’re used to a lot of noise, the silence feels deafening. But it’s important to try and focus on one task until it’s done before moving on to the next task, primarily because humans aren’t designed for multitasking. Therefore, you’re not actually multitasking. Instead, you’re just switching tasks which can cause you to take longer and make more mistakes.

Take a short walk

Instead of trying to switch right to a new task when you finish another, go on a short walk. You don’t even need to walk a full five minutes to work. Get up, get some water or go look out the window. If you can’t leave your desk, just stand up, stretch, and take a few deep breaths before switching tasks.

Do the task for just two minutes

Another excellent exercise for improving concentration is to set a timer and see how long you can go without getting distracted. For example, start with a goal of 2 minutes and see how long you can last. Once you can consistently hit your 2-minute goal, try increasing it to 3 minutes, and so on.

You can do many other things on a regular basis to improve your concentration, like exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and staying hydrated. Limiting distractions before you start the task will also help you focus. Of course, it won’t happen overnight, but with practice, and a good timer, you can learn to concentrate better.

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