If you have trouble focusing on one task for a long period, then practice short bursts of activity. Since concentration is a skill, you need to practice it to improve and be able to focus for long stretches.
One of the best ways to get to the point where you can concentrate for a long time is to practice using shorter periods. Gradually expand the time you spend concentrating until you reach the desired length. These short bursts of activity work the same way for concentration as exercise does for the body.
Would you expect someone to run a marathon their first time on a track? You shouldn’t. So why is it that we expect someone to concentrate on something for several hours when they have not mastered doing it for fifteen or twenty minutes?
If you want to try this technique, first pick a timespan that feels comfortable for you. Try one that you think you can easily meet. Most people who use this technique feel comfortable with fifteen minutes. If that is too much for you, cut it back to ten minutes or even five if you have serious attention problems.
If fifteen minutes is not a challenge, try twenty minutes and then twenty-five minutes. I don’t recommend going over half an hour when starting this technique.
Once you have selected a length of time, pick a task to work on. Set a timer and begin working. Work until the timer goes off, doing your best to concentrate solely on the task at hand. If you cannot do it, it is a good sign that you need to reduce the time for a while. You may also just be having a bad day or you may need to create a more supportive environment.
When the timer goes off, stop working and take a short break. When you set down to work again, start the timer again. As you get comfortable with the process, slowly increase the time in five-minute increments until you get close to an hour.
Experts suggest that you do not focus on one activity for more than an hour without taking a break unless you are on a deadline or in the flow state. It increases fatigue and reduces overall stamina. Once you have reached the hour point, you can take a ten-minute break to reset your mind and body before starting again.