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Being able to concentrate is essential for many lines of work. Employers are looking for people who can apply razor-like cognition to tasks consistently. 

But that doesn’t always happen, especially as you enter the midpoint of the week. You want to give your best, but that doesn’t always work out. 

Here are some of the reasons you can’t concentrate and work and some solutions to go with them: 

You Don’t Have Goals

One reason you might not be able to concentrate at work is the fact you don’t have goals. Failing to set your sights on something can make it challenging to see the purpose in what you’re doing, which can lead the mind to wander. Ideally, you’d like it to have some deeper meaning for you, other than collecting a paycheck at the end of the week.

If you aren't getting goals set by management, try putting them in place yourself. Look for ways to start each day with something you want to achieve, even if it seems dull. Then, use tools and apps that can track your progress. You may find that simply aiming at something (whatever it is) helps to motivate you and keep you moving forward. 

You Feel Stressed

Another reason you can’t concentrate at work is that you’re overwhelmed by stress. No matter how much you try to focus, you’re beset by worries and imaginings of what could go wrong. 

Feeling stressed is problematic because it shuts down higher level cognition. The fight or flight response makes it more challenging to know what to do next. +

Getting rid of this usually means switching jobs or planning short breaks to unwind throughout the day (if you need them). You can also seek support from on-site professionals if your company offers them. Chaplains can be helpful when the workload gets overwhelming. 

You Have Mental Overload

Mental overload can also create issues at work. Having to complete too many tasks means your brain becomes fatigued and can’t make the best decisions.

This issue is common among professionals and people in executive positions. There’s just too much to think about–too many factors–and it becomes overwhelming. 

Fortunately, these days there are various nootropics for sale to combat this. These allow you to maintain higher levels of brain function for longer throughout the day, giving you the cognitive resources to face challenges. With them, you can better plan out what to do next and respond to various situations.

You Insist On Multitasking

Multitasking is another reason why you can’t concentrate as much as you’d like at work. Trying to do several things at once goes against how our brains evolved and what they were designed to do. 

The best approach is to focus on one task at a time. Blocking things into periods in order or priority can help you. For example, you might complete a report first, reply to emails, have a strategy meeting, and then put a new canteen menu on offer. 

When you avoid moving onto one task before completing the previous one, you put yourself in a better position.