Master Your Focus Game

Master Your Focus Game

"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." - Alexander Graham Bell

Hey there, fellow focus-seekers! Have you ever found yourself staring at your computer screen, only to realize you've spent the last hour scrolling through cat memes instead of finishing that important report? Do I hear a resounding 'Guilty!'?

In a world filled with distractions like social media, Netflix, and the occasional urge to rearrange your sock drawer or do the dishes, staying focused can feel like trying to herd cats. But did you know we can train our brains to stay on task and slay our productivity dragons? Personally, I consider myself a focused person; however, I find that for tasks I don’t particularly enjoy, I struggle to maintain focus, which often delays my progress toward set goals.

I love trying new ideas and testing my ability to improve and change. Here are some behavior adjustments I’m applying to my personal life. Now, let's dive into the magical world of focus!

Behavior adjustment #1: Embrace The Pomodoro Technique

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? Until recently, I hadn't come across this method. No, it's not some fancy Italian cooking method involving tomatoes. It's a simple time management technique that can work wonders for our focus. Here's the lowdown: Set a timer and work on a single task with laser-like focus. When the timer dings, reward yourself with a short break—go ahead, take a stroll, pet your dog, or watch the birds. Rinse and repeat! I've been setting my cell phone to airplane mode, which helps! Usually, I don’t do it for more than one hour, since I have to run two businesses and now, I’m on my building’s board of directors. So far, I'm happy with the technique because it’s helping me get through my LONG to-do list. My goal is to continue crossing items off my to-do list like a productivity ninja."

Behavior adjustment #2: Decluttering our Digital Playground

Picture this: You sit down to tackle that big project, but before you know it, you're knee-deep in a virtual jungle of open tabs, notifications, and unread emails. That’s the story of my life! I’m tackling this behavior by decluttering my digital playground. Since responsiveness is one of my core values and promises to my clients, I've added an auto-reply to my work emails, informing the sender that I've received the email and will respond within 24 hours or sooner. Another important change is that I'm allocating specific time slots during my workday to check emails. Finally, before starting a task, I tidy up my workspace—close unnecessary tabs, mute distracting notifications, and banish those pesky email alerts to the shadow realm. Trust me, my brain has been very thankful. I can attest that with fewer digital distractions vying for my attention, I’m able to improve my focus even further, conquering Mount Productivity with ease.

Behavior adjustment #3: Master Archer Focus

Just as skilled archers hone their precision and focus to hit bullseyes from afar, we too can sharpen our mental prowess to conquer life's challenges. Picture yourself as a master archer drawing back your bowstring, ready to hit the mark with unwavering precision. Since discovering the power of meditation and the array of different techniques, I’ve been integrating mindfulness exercises into my daily work routine. When possible, before starting a task, I take a moment to breathe, delve into a quick mind-centering meditation, or stretch. Nothing elaborate. Only a few minutes to pause and re-center. I can attest that these practices serve as mental warm-ups, calming the stormy seas of our minds and fortifying our concentration like steel. Like an archer aiming for the center of the target, focus your attention on your goals. I prefer to break down my tasks into manageable chunks, each arrow aimed at success. Remember, be VERY gracious to yourself, and understand that progress takes time. Allow yourself the patience to grow and evolve on your path to mastery.

So there you have it, my fellow focus-challengers! Armed with the power of Pomodoro, a decluttered digital space, and a Master Archer mindset, you'll be unstoppable in your quest for peak productivity. Now go forth and conquer those to-do lists like the badass focus warriors you are! I would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to me directly at ceo@mypetitespace.com.

PS: Do you like this blog? Please share it and check out Mon Espace+, our rapidly growing platform of self-care collaborators. With our community of like-minded individuals, you'll have access to a wealth of resources, support, and inspiration to help you on your journey. And don't forget to check out my corner in the Self-Help Category - Your Upward Journey: It's Easier Than You Think! with my informal guidance, you'll be well on your way to becoming the best version of yourself.

A special thanks to my amazing brother-in-law for allowing me to use one of his exclusive photographs to illustrate this blog! Luv ya Alvaro Donatti. We can start creating these beauties as well!