| I lost my ability to focus. My mind was overflowing. Too many thoughts swirling in my head. Going in too many directions. Too many things changing in the work and the routine. I was losing sleep. I wanted to do it all, but was getting nothing done. Collapsing upon myself in a state of failure. Has this ever happened to you? Ever been unable to get out of your own way? How does this happen, when we’re so seasoned in life, and do all things well? (Sensing the sarcasm?) This happens when we lose the basics, the things that keep us grounded, present, and engaged. We forget the simplest habits that keep us focused, keeping the important things front and center. Let’s flip that switch again! Be super intentional with bringing our focus BACK! Here are three basic starting points that work for me: 1. Uninterrupted Meditation/Silence: Don’t have 10-15 minutes for uninterrupted silence? It’s a small fraction of the time wasted, directionless, disordered and spun out. Maybe try this instead! Start with 5 minutes, to quiet the mind, reign it in. Let all the noise and the chaos begin to melt away. You will start to get clearer, more focused, zeroing in on what’s important, and how to proceed. This gets easier the more you practice it. And you will be amazed with the results. 2. Write It All Down: ANYTIME a thought, idea, or task comes to mind, jot it down in a notebook and/or type it into “Notes” on your device. Having both a written and a digital place for thoughts is OK! The point is, get them out of your head. You DO NOT need to remember so many things! Stop trying to! It’s a formula for disaster, guaranteed to backfire on you. Why undermine your progress, self-confidence and focus, when you can easily jot it down? SIDENOTE: And for another day, writing by hand has more of an impact on memory, focus and creativity than typing. It activates different neural pathways for more presence of thought and better retention. Ultimately, you will find a system that works for you. If possible, and for many good reasons, a blend of both handwritten and digital notes is ideal. Yes, you will have notes in two places…so what? 3. Step Away!: This will help you have singular focus. Whether it be setting a timer to stop a work session, chipping away at only one small piece of the project, or running through an edit once, make a deal with yourself to then step away. Your work on the task will be most productive, knowing you have a hard-break, and a mandate tostep away. Think about that for a minute…it really works! You return to your project with fresh eyes, fresh mind, fresh energy, and a building momentum! This is how I tackle just about everything. And I LOVE IT! These are the simple things I do to get my focus back. Am I perfect at these? No! But I keep at it. I keep trying. What about you? What are your mechanisms for getting back on track? Recognizing the need to go back to basics with our work, thoughts, actions and pursuits is critical, and humbling. Ideas like these are fundamental, easy to implement, and often the perfect place to start again. Over, and over, and over again. |