Prepare For Success - Final Formatted Copy

Prepare For Success
Exercises To Increase Concentration And Focus
Research has shown that doing brain exercises such as playing Sudoku (in combination with
healthy eating, sound sleep and physical exercise) will make you sharper, more confident, and
will also improve your decision-making.
This is why we recommend that you engage in these types of brain training exercises in your spare
time.
Sleep Well, Perform Well
One of the biggest barriers to focus is lack of sleep. If you do not sleep well you will be tired and
much less able to concentrate and
focus on your job search activities.
Academic research shows that in
order to achieve the highest level
of productivity the following day,
workers should have more than 9
hours sleep, but 8 hours is good.
The lowest levels of productivity
came from individuals who had
slept between 6 and 7.9 hours
the previous night.
It’s official: getting a good night’s
sleep will increase your ability
to focus and concentrate during
your job search campaign. So how
can you get a good night’s sleep? Below are some top tips to increase the quality of your sleep.
• y Don’t go to bed hungry or full, as hunger and indigestion both hamper sleep
• y Exercise 3 or 4 times a week
• y Don’t take naps in the day. If you must nap, do it before 3pm for no more than an hour
• y Engage in relaxation exercises before bed such as deep breathing and visualization as
these will improve your sleep
• y Don’t drink coffee after 4pm
This may sound obvious but eat healthily and at regular intervals. It will be much harder to
focus and concentrate if you are hungry or malnourished. Try to stay away from foods that are
too high in fat or sugar, especially energy drinks. Although this may seem strange advice if you
need energy just remember, every energy ‘high’ induced by the intake of sugars and caffeine
are inevitably followed by an energy ‘low’.
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