This month, we are focusing on focusing!

I believe that your ability to focus directly impacts your ability to get things done more quickly, more efficiently, more effectively and thus more rewardingly.

Last month we talked about detaching, and this month we are focusing on focusing! Re-attaching!

We live in a world of distractions, with 24/7 connectedness, countless priorities, and basically just more of everything. but just remember, you have the same amount of time that Ben Franklin, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ike Eisenhower did. Possibly more. Your time depends on the choices you make. And the focus you apply.

Without direction and a map, you can get off course and end up in places you never wanted to go. A typical day can be choked with 50 things to do, many of which have nothing to do with your overall game plan. When your mind and efforts are scattered like that, nothing gets done well, and some high priorities may get set aside or forgotten. Does this resonate?

The key to applying focus is to know your goals and priorities. Yes, I know that is "coach talk" but it is true. How can you focus without knowing where you're going? (More on setting priorities here...)

Assuming you're pretty clear on your goals and priorities, then, here are 10 tips for focusing on them and staying in focus.

1. Ditch the electronica: Close email, Facebook, Twitter. Put your phone on airplane mode. Turn off anything that blinks, dings, buzzes, or vibrates. Don't even give yourself the chance to multitask
2. Eliminate sound and visual interruptions: Position your desk so that you don't see people walking by, put headphones on, turn distracting music off, close the door, yada yada.
3. Commit an amount of time: Agree with yourself that you will spend the next xxx minutes working on a certain project, then stick to it.
4. Use the Pomodoro technique. Similar to the point noted above, consider this approach, taking its name from a Pomodoro timer, which runs for 25 minutes, the Pomodoro technique is a practice of focusing intently on something for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break.
5. Know your life goals. This is basic to your ability to focus. There are a lot of articles on this on our blog, including this one.
6. Break large tasks into smaller ones. Sometimes, goals can appear daunting, and unachievable. By breaking them into smaller achievements, you can keep your energy flowing and maintain your progress.
7. Unwind and recharge. Do something you enjoy, and focus on enjoying it (wink wink!) this allows you to refocus when you're back to task.
8. Get enough sleep. Your ability to focus is directly impacted by your ability to get enough rest.
9. Say no. Part of being able to focus includes the fortitude to say no to things that are not in your goals or priorities. Just remember to say it "nicely!"
10. Give it 100%. Focus that is... Don't think about anything but the task or activity you're on, whether it is work, play, family, conversation, friends.

With more focus, distractions are kept to a minimum and your days are spent in a meaningful way. You regain control over your life and no longer feel like you're wasting time. You can get the RIGHT things done, sooner!

Core Beliefs of Mentally Strong People (20 second read)

What is So Hard about Turning it off? (15 second read)

Five Things to Stop Doing to Be More Productive (15 second read)

One of the best two email tips about focusing I can share with you are:

1. Set a time limit on processing email, and stick to it. It will help you focus rather than be drawn off.
2. Shut down or minimize your screen when you are working on a project.

"What you stay focused on will grow." — Roy T. Bennett

"Focusing is about saying No." — Steve Jobs

"The more choices we have, the greater the need for focus." — Tom Butler-Bowdon

Your challenge for the month is to "increase your focus muscle." That means – focus on focusing. Be 100% focused on each task or conversation.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!