One of the characteristics of high achievers is their intensity of focus . High achievers know how to bury themselves in their work to such an extent that nothing can easily pull them away . It ’ s like they ’ re in a productivity trance . Fortunately , you CAN learn to be more focused , even if you believe you ’ re one of the worst multi-taskers on the planet . Here are four effective ways to tighten up your concentration and intensify your focus . Keep a distraction list open . An
1 active mind works on many levels , some of them subconscious . Your brain may suddenly come up with an idea or reminder that threatens to derail you from your task while you chase the shiny object . It might be a great idea , and you don ’ t want to use your mental energy just trying to remember it later . Don ’ t bother . Instead , flip to your “ distraction list ” and capture the idea before you forget it . Then immediately go back to what you were doing . When you ’ re finished with your task , you can decide whether to do it , file it or add it to your to-do list with the correct start date . You can use a text file , a yellow legal pad , Tasks in Outlook or an app ( such as Evernote , Todoist , or Wunderlist ) as your distraction list . My father used to say , “ When you think it , ink it .” Ink it , and you don ’ t have
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to think about it while you ’ re focused – and it won ’ t come back to bug you again .
Listen to music . Non-verbal music
2 or ambient noise – like the sound of a waterfall or a thunderstorm – may soothe you into a focus trance , if only by drowning out distractions . Listening to Black Sabbath or the Beastie Boys probably won ’ t help , but Bach and Beethoven may . Meditate for a moment , or
3 at least close your eyes and count your breaths for one minute . If you ’ re distracted , focusing deeply on yourself and your breathing can help you settle down , much like counting to 10 can settle you when you feel irritated or angry . Since it ’ s super easy , it ’ s worth a try . Set aside time for worry , and
4 then let it go . Some natural worriers can get past their need to angst over things by giving themselves a brief period each day when it ’ s all they do . Fifteen minutes should be enough . If you ’ re really beset by worries , write them down in a journal and make plans to tackle the ones you can actually change . If it ’ s something out of your bailiwick or ability to change , though , like a serious family medical crisis or weather woes , do what you can and let the rest go . This will
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almost always result in some peace of mind , letting you move forward with renewed focus .
Raising the Bar You ’ ve Already Set by Laura Stack
While the four strategies I ’ ve outlined here aren ’ t always the first to come to mind , they do work for many of us , and they ’ re easy to integrate into most lifestyles . Some may think they ’ re a little touchy-feely , but the mind is a funny thing , and the effects of emotions are real at the mental , physical and spiritual levels .
And hey , if these ideas don ’ t work for you , you could always eat a piece of dark chocolate or paint your walls yellow . G
Laura Stack , MBA , CSP , CPAE , aka The Productivity Pro ®, gives speeches and seminars on sales and leadership productivity . For over 25 years , she ’ s worked with Fortune 1000 clients to reduce inefficiencies , execute more quickly , improve output and increase profitability . Laura is the author of seven books , including “ Doing the Right Things Right : How the Effective Executive Spends Time .”
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GearedUp | 2023 Issue 3 |
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