I have cleared some of the toughest entrance tests in the country like that for IIT, IIM, IAS. It is not that I was not distracted during studies, but I overcame those distractions.

Small tips on how to overcome distractions and get great focus

A thread🧵

Reducing mobile usage

👉 Measure

Check your phone usage and apps u spent time on every week. Many times you dont even know how much time you are wasting on mobile apps. Android users can use free apps like

Steps to reduce usage

👉 Physical distance
Keep the phone with the internet switched off and away from you while studying. You can also keep it locked and with a parent/ friend. Heavens will not fall while you are studying and if it is something urgent, you will get the message.

👉 Technological solution:

Use apps like Blackout to block internet for at least 6 hours every day. Force yourself to study in that time. It is not a free app, but it is very effective. Once it blacks out the phone, you can't go back for the period

👉 Early morning study

Keep the alarm away from you, on loud volume. Most likely once you get up from the bed to switch off the alarm, you will decide to not go back to sleep and study. Early morning study is the best these days especially as it has lesser distractions

Procrastination is when you keep postponing important tasks. If you do this frequently - you're not alone!

💢Use these tactics from 7 famous books which will help you overcome procrastination

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

👉 Use the "two-minute rule" to get started on a task

👉 Make the task so simple that it takes 2 mins. You can't say no to it and build momentum from there

👉Make your goals specific and measurable

"The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins

👉 Count down from 5 and take action immediately to override your brain's hesitation and fear

👉Focus on taking small, consistent steps towards your goal

👉Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself

"Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy

👉 Identify the most important task you need to complete and do it first thing in the morning

👉 Break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps

👉 Set specific goals and deadlines for yourself

"Getting Things Done" by David Allen

👉Use a system of lists and categories to keep track of tasks and goals

👉Break down tasks into small, actionable steps

👉Regularly review and update your task lists to stay on top of things