Do you always feel busy yet struggle to get things done? Are there too many things crying out for your attention? The human brain has a limited cognitive capacity yet modern technology exposes us to an abundance of information. Finding time for focus can feel like a near impossible feat.

In this two-part masterclass, you will discover the secrets to finding and staying focused. You will learn ways to prime your brain, to avoid procrastination and to reduce feelings of overwhelm. You will also gain invaluable tools to help strengthen your memory. In the final session, you will learn how to apply these skills and start to create your own productivity routine.

Part one: Thursday 3 November

Mark Channon will reveal the science behind inattention - what causes us to become distracted and how we can train our brains to be more focused. He will share effective techniques to deal with procrastination and the importance of having the right mindset when it comes to sustaining attention.

Mark became one of the first grand masters of memory in the world, and will share the secrets to his impressive recall, along with specific strategies to help you remember names, books, presentations and even what happened in meetings.

Between parts one and two you will receive an invitation to join a Tiny Habits® Method course. You will also receive a video from Mark, consolidating the key learnings from part one.

Part two: Tuesday 15 November

Using the techniques from part one, you will begin to craft your own productivity routine. Mark will help you to gain clarity on your most important tasks, along with their potential impacts, and show you how to build in more focus time throughout your day.

You will then be introduced to the Tiny Habits® Method. By making small, tiny changes throughout the day, you will learn how to create your own personalised routine, helping you to create consistency and pave your way to becoming a productivity master.

Course content

The science of inattention and distraction
Strategies for managing information overload
How memory works: visual-spatial working memory skills
Practical tools for improving productivity
How to use the TinyHabits® Method to stay focused and enhance productivity

This course is for …

Anyone looking to improve their focus and get things done.
Anyone who struggles with feelings of distraction, or overwhelm, and wants to learn how to be more productive.

Tutor profile

Mark Channon is a Mindset Coach and Startup Consultant. After creating the quiz show Monkhouse’s Memory Masters for the BBC, he became one of the first Grand Masters of Memory in the world. He is the author of several books including Improve Your Memory: Sharpen Focus and Improve Performance and Learning Your Lines. Mark was the original Memory Coach on Channel 4’s, Can I Improve My Memory, coaching Gok Wan, Joey Essex and Valerie Singleton. After 30 years of experience as a coach and leading digital products for the likes of BBC and Microsoft, Mark now works with clients on career transformation, high-performance leadership and business growth.

Course Details

Date: Thursday 3 November and Tuesday 15 November 2022
Time: 6pm-8.30pm (GMT), both days

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6pm GMT | 7pm CET | 10am PST | 1pm EST

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses fully accessible. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website.

How to stay focused and get things done: A two-part masterclass