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From the time we wake up, there are at least a dozen things monopolizing our attention and as we go throughout our day that number increases.
Think about it.
By the time you’ve showered in the morning, you’ve reflected on matters from last night and planned your whole day. Think about all of the information that we consume on a given day. With that much noise in our brain, focusing on our tasks can be a challenge. Moreover, accomplishing our to-do list with efficiency is even more overwhelming.
We know ourselves best. We know what distracts us, inspires us to be proactive, what bores us, what interests us. The mindset is a powerful tool that can be used to conquer our fears and concentrate on what matters.
The reasons why we struggle with focusing on the important goals differ from day to day. We all experience days when we are anxious, tired, irritated, scattered, and even hyped up. Our behaviors follow our feelings.
It’s time for you to retrain your brain to think with a laser focus.
1/ LET GO OF MULTI-TASKING FOR GOOD!
Multi-tasking sounds good in theory, but in actuality increases stress over your mental state and leads to poor concentration, memory impairment, and a decrease in attention span. Let me give you a reality check. You are NOT a computer! The way the human brain processes is so complex. Throw in all the other mysterious aspects of our bodies like the need for sleep, our feelings, our environment, and so on and you will see that switching regularly from task to task is a recipe for a mental disaster.
2/ FOCUS ON 2-3 MAIN ACTION ITEMS PER DAY and STRUCTURE YOUR DAY
One of the worst things to do is divide your focus. Yet, we do it every single day. We put 10 bullet points on our to-do list and only end up doing two or three tasks at the most. In some cases, the major tasks never get handled by the end of the day. So who loses?
I love a good system and process because your concentration is centered on the HOW and that helps you get things done in a quick manner. You need clarity, which gives you the confidence to act. What is a big picture without the details? Structure your day according to priorities, high energy levels, and the best optimal times.
3/ UNPLUG FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Our phones, computers and other tech gadgets have literally become like an appendage. Most people roll over and grab their phones before they’ve even fully opened their eyes to check emails, social media, text messages, and browse the Internet. That’s four different areas competing for attention and serve as major interruptions to your focus.
Let me clue you in on a little secret. I guarantee if you unplugged for a few days and came back, you’d notice that you really didn’t miss a thing. And you greatly benefited from it. You were more present, got more done, and have a greater sense of the real world around you.
4/ FUEL YOUR BODY WITH THE ENERGY IT NEEDS TO THRIVE
Over the past few years, it’s been a bragging right for gurus and entrepreneurs to say, “I only get 4 hours of sleep” or “I don’t need much sleep to function” and “I’m hustling. Team no sleep!”
Burning the midnight oil on occasion is bound to happen, but it shouldn’t be a regular habit. I learned this the hard way. You have to make a commitment to your sleep schedule and the way to do this is create a night-time ritual that prepares you for a calming sleep experience. Turn gadgets off and leave them in the other room, sleeping in total darkness, meditate, take a warm shower. A lot of sleep experiences are fretful, leaving people to feel like a sluggish cat by morning. Take your nighttime routine seriously and get on TEAM SLEEP.
Equally important is exercise. I found that exercising in the evenings gave me a dose of energy that I needed, but also ensured that I would sleep well. Exercise is a challenge to commit to for even the most dedicated fitness gurus. However, there is a direct link from exercise to energy and more important to a better state of mind.
I am fully confident that implementing these four tips will help you focus. For when you can focus, you can make some amazing strides in your life.
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What do you think?