Articles

“I can’t seem to focus long enough to get unstuck.” This is one of the most common complaints I hear from clients these days.

There are some good reasons why we have difficulty focusing on what is most important to us. With increased levels of hi-tech connectivity, smart phones continuously alert us to incoming e-mails, tweets, text messages and alarms. We are surrounded by electronic media streaming news and information from around the world - and the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. Add to that the increased pace of life, the challenges of making a living, and the never-ending demands for our time, money and resources – it can get overwhelming.

So what goals should we focus and how do we sustain that focus?

Without clear focus, people commonly go into reactive mode; instead of initiating the change they wish to see, they react to what is happening to them. Amid an endless onslaught of distractions, we can easily spend days without focusing on our true agenda. And we end up losing out on the joy of living a purpose-directed life. Author Deepak Chopra expressed it thus, “The events on the surface of your life distract you from the deeper work of soul-making.”

I have learned that when someone makes the decision to get focused, there are several things that can help support a lasting shift. Here are a few nuggets you may find useful:

Choose To Live Your Life With Purpose. When you work toward something positive, as opposed to running from or being driven by fear, you quickly build up momentum. Why are you here? What do you want to learn, do, experience or share? What’s on your bucket list? If you haven’t created a mission statement for your life, then do it now. It will give you a vision bigger than yourself to focus on when the going gets tough. My mission statement for life is posted right above my computer, where I am reminded of my purpose every day.

Set Priorities. Once you have clarified the mission statement for your life, identify specific related priorities you want to focus on. Next, break those down into smaller chunks until they don’t feel so intimidating and you can envision yourself doing them. 

Focus On One Goal. Still feeling overwhelmed? Overwhelmed most often happens because we try to juggle too much. When overwhelm hits, you can counteract it by simplifying your priorities even more. Break down your action steps or To-Do list items until you can identify the single most important goal to focus on for this hour, this morning or this day.

Analyze Why You Lose Focus. Knowing yourself better allows you to identify what gets in your way, so you can step back and look at these issues in a more detached, objective way. Instead of getting frustrated that there isn't enough time in the day or getting swept up in the flood of activities, dig down inside to discover what is pulling you in and recognize that you can choose a different response. Clear out old limiting beliefs, slash the sabotage programs and dare to create new rule sets that work for you now!

Pay Attention. Learn to observe how you spend your time and stop wasting time on unworthy projects. If your teenager had a big test tomorrow and you saw her doing everything except study, you'd probably have a talk with her about timely preparation and focus. Do the same for yourself! Set one goal for yourself each day to help you overcome procrastination. Start small and review your success every night to reinforce your accountability to your goals.

Slay The Dragon First. Start your day with the thing you avoid the most and get it done. This one principle really moves me forward. Once I have the most dreaded thing out of the way, the rest looks like cake; I’m a dragon slayer, after all!

Stop Interrupting Yourself! Do yourself a favor – turn off the phone or computer ding and disable the pop-up box that tells you, “You’ve got mail!” Instead of losing valuable time and energy by diverting your attention to check on messages, you will have more energy available to focus on the task at hand.

Feed Your Soul. Feeding your soul requires you to detach from the surface world of activity – even if just for twenty minutes a day. It’s during that time of stepping back from the activity at the surface of life and reconnecting with your identity as a timeless soul, when solutions to problems become blindingly obvious. It’s called inspiration – and it arrives when your mind is still, whether in relaxation, contemplation or meditation. One of the most prominent benefits meditators experience from their practice is becoming more focused in their daily activities. Meditation also boosts your intuitive abilities to recognize true priorities and make better decisions. Whatever, your spiritual practice of choice, recognize the importance of feeding your soul, and hence, your creativity.

Do A Brain Dump Before Bed. I write down my “To Do” list at the end of my work day as a part of reviewing the day. Writing it down clears my head and when I wake up in the morning, the list is ready for me to get focused right away.

Stick With It. Whatever you do, don’t give up! Even if you feel discouraged today, don’t give up. All of life consists of energy cycles that ebb and flow. Think of your life as a long journey and the present problem as just a little bump in the road. If you can stick with it during the rough times, just imagine what you could accomplish when you get the wind from behind! Remind yourself that it is progress that matters, not perfection.

And A Few More:
•    Distinguish between what’s important and what is simply urgent.
•    Eliminate unnecessary activities and physical clutter; they stop up your life and drain your energy.
•    Reduce your overhead – financial burdens drain your energy and your vitality.
•    Do projects when they align with your vision and purpose, not because you feel obligated
•    Don't say yes to anything right away; reserve the right to sleep on it.
•    Share your goals with a few trusted friends so they can support you and hold you accountable.
•    Acknowledge your progress and celebrate your successes!

Applying even just a few of these tips will bring about noticeable changes in your life right away. By applying them over time, you will feel more productive, energized, and focused!

©Copyright Ada Porat. For more information, visit www.adaporat.com  This article may be freely distributed in whole or in part, provided there is no charge for it and this notice is attached.