Do you often feel that there isn’t enough time to finish all the projects you’d like to get done? Does it seem that when you try to concentrate, your attention gets pulled in a thousand directions? Many authors agree that the ability to focus—to concentrate on an individual task—is key to success and fulfillment, not just in your career but also in your personal life. They also agree that focus is a skill you have to learn through practice, deliberate repetition, and strategies to minimize distractions.

In Shortform’s Master Guide, we’ve gathered the best strategies from the experts—including psychologists, productivity gurus, and business consultants—to help you harness your attention to achieve any goal. We’ll talk about what focus is (and why it’s so hard to do) and provide a step-by-step process for improving your focus, from removing distractions from your environment and disconnecting digitally to maintaining your motivation and refining your approach. Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, or a professional, you’ll find practical and effective techniques for honing your concentration in any area of life or work.