‘FOCUS’ and Stop Multi-Tasking!
“The most practical of all methods for controlling the mind is the habit of keeping it busy with a definite purpose, backed by a definite plan” Napoleon Hill
I attended a networking event last week that prompted me to write about the topic of Focus. It was an open forum to discuss burning current issues with entrepreneurs and everyone shared how much they feel ’scattered’ and at the end of the day feeling like they did not get anything done. Sound familiar? The following are tips that have worked for me and my clients in regard to getting things done by focusing.
Focus. A pet peeve of mine. In fact, I have a very popular laser coaching workshop that teaches focus techniques to help you get things done in a timely manner without stress. Click here to find out more!
Do you have a difficult time focusing?
Well we all do! With the influx of information coming at us and available right at our finger tips, we tend to do “excessive” multi-tasking. Multi-tasking causes stress, short-term memory loss, and it negatively impacts concentration and attentiveness. Hence, you really don’t get anything done!
Do you desire to have control of your time, NOT time controlling you?
I believe we can all focus again by taking baby steps and learn how to tune out distractions and finally get things done without frustration and stress.
Remember, it probably took many years to get where you’re at in regard to your productivity pains and we all know that change does not happen over night.
However, by applying one focus tip at a time based on your particular work ethic and situation, gradually you start noticing that you have more time, more peaceful and productive meetings, your actually becoming more tuned-in to what is going on around you, then you notice something is missing…….oh yes that frantic, frustrated and tired feeling of overwhelm.
- FOCUS and stay in the moment. Totally focus on what you are doing and get closure on it, then move on to the next thing.
- Use the Pareto principle also known as the 80-20 rule: Eighty percent of your results come from twenty percent of your efforts, for all your goals, projects and tasks. Based on an 8 hour day, start your day with 96 minutes of concentrated work on your highest priority and you could safely call it a highly productive and successful day
- Set a timer. I use this tip all the time! Setting a timer also sets your brain to: Get ready, set and go! We all have some sort of timer close by: 1) Your Cell Phone, 2) Go online: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/, 3) A wrist watch, 4) An alarm clock
- Block out chunks of times. The ONLY way to really get things done is to focus for longer periods of time on your project or task.
- Turn off your phone. This is a huge time waster. Leave a message on your phone regarding your unavailability AND when you will be returning calls
- Turn off your email notify. Having that email ‘bing’ at you when your focusing is a constant interruption.
- Surfing the web. The number one distraction. We all love the internet but if you’re not ‘aware’ or focused on your project, you could easily find yourself in the internet cosmos. Schedule in your calendar a block of time to surf.
- Social Networking. Another time consumption and distraction if not utilized strategically. Again, schedule time in your calendar for Social Networking.
- Put a sign on your door indicating your unavailability AND when you will become available
- Respect your-self and your project or task by Focusing to Get Things Done
