As I work with my clients to really stay focused on what’s important to ramp up their businesses, it’s no surprise that I get pushback from them at times.
Life gets in the way.
We’re busier than ever these days.
And ironically we think technology streamlines things for us.
But instead, we’re given MORE tools that give us MORE to do with LESS time to do it.
What’s up with that??
Even the phrase “time management” implies there are different ways to cram even more into our already overflowing lives.
(By the way, there is no such thing as “time management”. We can’t manage time. We all get the same 24 hours a day and it marches on whether we like it or not.)
How we CHOOSE to use that time, however, is a different subject.And that’s where FOCUS comes in.
We’ve been (mistakenly) led to believe that if we don’t multitask every minute of our day we aren’t productive.
This can’t be farther from the truth.
Successful people have long realized that focus is the key to being productive.
Here’s what increasing your focus means:
You get up each day looking forward to what you can achieve.
You are making progress towards what is most important to you.
You feel a greater sense of productivity and fulfillment.
Why is being focused so important – especially in today’s world? What results happen when you are focused? Does being focused make you less stressed? Happier? If it’s so important, then why don’t we focus more?
Being focused on one thing at a time allows you to do a better quality of work, get more done more quickly, and your creative ideas flow a LOT easier!Being focused on one task at a time is less stressful on your mind.
And being less stressed means you are much happier. YAY!
So why is it so hard for us to stay focused on one task at a time?
1) For one, we are constantly bombarded with TV, radio, cell phones, Internet, and social media (like right now – hello!).
2) And as a much larger population, we live closer together than ever before. So, it’s a challenge to get completely away from all these distractions.
One way is to go to a room where you can shut your door and turn off your phone and email notifications. (I HIGHLY recommend it).
When you focus on one thing at a time, avoiding distractions, your brain becomes focused on that task alone…
Which means you actually complete that task much more quickly than if you are trying to focus on two or more tasks at once.
Multitasking creates the ILLUSION of productivity, but it’s actually the opposite.
By giving all your attention to something without distraction…
a) You can get it done much more quickly and with fewer mistakes.
b) Your work will be higher quality
c) And your creativity will kick in! You’ll come up with new ideas associated with the task at hand – this alone is worth staying focused!
Focusing on one thing for a certain period of time helps you think better and allows your subconscious to do the work.
For example, think about the first time you learned to ride a bike or drive a car. It was difficult in the beginning, right?
But when you began focusing on what you were doing, eventually your subconscious took over.
The same is true around the tasks in your business. Once you begin focusing solely on one task, your subconscious helps you do them quicker and easier.
Here are 5 of my favorite tips to improve your focus.
1. MEDITATE
Try to allocate at least 10-15 minutes each day to meditate. And if you must, start out with only 1-2 minutes and build up from there. Focus on your breathing, really focusing on the air, how it touches your nostrils and enters your lips. How does it feel as it escapes? You can pretty much count on your mind wandering and that’s okay. When this happens bring your thoughts back to focusing on your breathing.
2. BREAK YOUR TASKS OR GOALS DOWN INTO SMALL BITE-SIZED TARGETS
Instead of working toward the ultimate end goal, break it down into smaller, more achievable goals you can reach within a few days. Then cross each smaller goal off your list as you achieve it.
3. FOLLOW YOUR NATURAL CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
Ever noticed you tend to feel energized or drowsy around the same time each day? That’s due to your circadian rhythm.
Become aware of your peak levels of alertness and energy and take advantage of it to focus on what’s most important to get done for the day during that time.
4. TAKE A TIME OUT
If you are hitting a mental roadblock, though, take some time away from the task. Do something else until you can regain your focus on the original task.
5. TAKE TIME OFF!
Don’t underestimate the power of actually taking time off. I highly recommend you take a full day off each week…REALLY off.
Like, no phone, no emails, no computer, no iPad, NO WORK!
You need down time in order to regenerate, rejuvenate and re-energize! It may take a little time to get into the habit of really being focused, but it’s so worth it!
Your Soul and your business will thank you!
Eva Gregory helps spiritual entrepreneurs go from chaos to clarity and from clarity to cash flow. She is a Law of Attraction expert, and author of “The Feel Good Guide To Prosperity” and “Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction”, co-authored with Jack Canfield. Her gift is teaching spiritual entrepreneurs how to integrate Inner Guidance with proven practical business strategies to create successful enlightened businesses from a place of purpose, passion and prosperity. Get your FREE Soul-Centered Conversations That Convert template here and learn how to ramp up your revenue fast with a proven step-by-step template for converting those interested in what you offer to investing in what you offer.
