Have you or your child been diagnosed with ADHD? Do you have trouble paying attention in this multi-tasking world? Maybe you’ve been to a speech therapist who is helping you to develop attention skills.

Whether you’re a student or in the workplace, maintaining attention is key to getting your important tasks done. Brush up on listening skills for fall with our ideas for maintaining attention.

Here are five tips to help you keep your eyes and ears on what you’re doing.

1. Prepare for the listening situation

• Prime your attention by reviewing previous lecture or meeting notes beforehand
• Write down particular items that you need to listen for

2. Eliminate background distractions

• Turn off your phone
• Close out of your email

3. Choose the best ‘attention spot’

• Face the speaker
• Move closer to the speaker
• Avoid sitting near busy spots
• Sit with your back towards visual distractions

4. Raise your listening attention level

• Sit up straight
• Put both feet on the floor
• Take a quick deep breath

5. Do one thing at a time

• If you switch between two or more tasks (e.g., typing notes and sending an email) you will lose efficiency in both tasks

Outside of these exercises, speech therapy can help to address ADHD or listening related issues.