Staying Focused in Times of Uncertainty
Mental power expert and trainer Michael Kortekaas has worked with a variety of professionals whose work is executed under conditions of high pressure. In this talk he shares his best tips for maintaining sharp focus on the task at hand in the face of uncertainty, constant distractions and pressures, similar to the conditions we are currently experiencing.
Key insights
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Maintaining full-on focus requires a well-defined task: Clear awareness of the distractions (external and internal); and a mindful return to the task on hand.
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Practice makes perfect: Training one’s self to recognize the distractions and mindfully re-direct attention to the task at hand is a learned skill. The more the process is repeated, the better trained the neuronal paths of focus become.
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Full focus calls for full recovery: Relaxing and recharging your mental battery is as important as focusing on the task. Moments of recovery are imperative for our brain to work effectively.
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On average, the focus ‘muscle’ works best in 45-minute blocks: Prioritize your most important tasks for the morning (higher focus time). Three morning sessions of 45-minute full-on focus each, interspersed with recovery moments, are likely to yield the best results.
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Being fit and well helps mental concentration: Mind your sleep, nutrition and relaxation habits. They will support your ability to focus on the tasks at hand.
Dive deeper
Can you do what Martin can?
To help you keep your energy levels high and stay positive throughout your day it is essential to take breaks regularly. To help you get more out of your downtime, Martin Pet, a seasoned sport and performance psychologist and physiologist, will challenge you to perform a wide range of exercises that will do just that.
About the crew member
Michael Kortekaas • Expert mental power
During his career with Police and the Department of Defense, Michael learned the value of mental power better than anyone else. Since 2011 he has been involved with the Police Academy and is working with various sport psychologists to structurally anchor mental power and resilience in the lives of the professionals he coaches.
Your journey until now
Staying Focused in Times of Uncertainty
Mental power expert Michael Kortekaas on optimizing focus
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