Focus
Focus is one of the key ingredients to success but, in today’s fast-paced and hectic society, it’s no longer the norm. Instead of having the laser focus that we need to achieve, we often get distracted, become sidetracked by multitasking or just drift along passively, our concentration and energy diluting day by day. When you find your attention wandering and you’re not accomplishing what you want to, you know it’s time to focus and get back on track to success!
Focus is a Magnifying Glass
As Alexander Graham Bell once said, “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” The power of focus is that it concentrates your effort, acting like a magnifying glass for your thoughts. When you focus your attention, you create action.
Focus Avoids Distractions
In life, distractions are inevitable. There will always be interruptions to your day in some shape or form – it’s how quickly you can get back on task after being disturbed that counts. Remember, a distraction is only a distraction if you pay attention to it! To minimize the chances of distraction, find a quiet, clean workspace of your own and give yourself the dedicated time to get high-priority tasks done.
Focus Commands Your Ship
As Jim Rohn once said, “It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind, that determines which way we will go.” Your mind sets the sail for your ship: that is, the state of your business, life, health and finances. To ensure you never go off-course, don’t let your mind drift; plot your route and steer your ship in the right direction.
Here are three top tips to get more focused:
Mind Dump
David Allen once said, “Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” A great exercise to clear your mind and begin to get more focused is to get your thoughts down on paper. Play some classical music and write about your goals, ambitions and aspirations in a stream of consciousness. Some of these ideas will be big picture, some will be smaller, but the important thing is to capture them all on paper.
Now, Soon, Later
Once everything is on paper, categorize items into now, soon or later. Now is something that can be achieved in 30 days; soon is 10 months; and later is a longer-term goal that will take up to 5 years to fulfill. Once your timeframes are clear, you will really begin to gain momentum.
The Power Hour
Stephen Covey once said, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” If you can win today by being specific, you can win the next day and the day after that too. This is where a ‘power hour’ is incredibly useful. Put a ‘do not disturb’ sign on your door so that people know to leave you alone for an hour, and then get after your top priority! Go to www.itsagoodlife.com to download your free Power Hour sign!
Sometimes, it can feel like the whole world is trying to distract us. Whether it’s our phones, media or even the people we interact with, there are enemies to focus everywhere in today’s society. But if you want to live a focused life, remember that you are the master of your ship. So, take charge, set your course and sail into a more focused life today! Listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life” to learn more.
