Finding Focus
When I think of getting focused, I think of my pair of reading glasses. If I don’t have my glasses on, the words in my books and on my computer screen are all blurry. Everything gets so jumbled that I just get frustrated. So what do I do? I have to get myself the right pair of reading glasses - or find someone else to read to me!
Sometimes in life we just need to find that right pair of reading glasses to help us see things a little clearer and bring things back into focus. Once we are able to see what is in front of us, we may start to realize what is important to us and what isn’t. Or maybe, we will gain a new perspective by having more clarity about what we now know and understand.
In this post, I would like to talk about what we need to focus ON rather than try to provide tips on how to get and stay focused. There are plenty of articles, books and advice out there about the act of being focused. The truth is, you probably know better than anyone else what helps you stay focused!
Finding the things to focus ON are most often related to your priorities. Before having a conversation about what to focus on, it is really important to organize your priorities and understand what is really important to you.
This is why it seems like a good idea (to me) to take some time every once in a while to stop and hit the reset button. Take time to assess where you are and where you want to be and then let yourself refocus.
In sticking with the reading glasses metaphor - as I get older my prescription changes. I definitely need stronger glasses. Oftentimes when I re-read books or articles, I understand them in a whole new way. Our minds, bodies and perceptions are constantly changing. The things we need to focus on are also constantly changing.
Erik Qualman shares with us in his book The Focus Project how he did an experiment to intentionally focus on important things in his own life each month out of one year. Things like family, health, gratitude, etc. He then evaluated himself to really understand if he was living his best life and focusing on what he really wanted to be focusing on.
Admittedly, finding what you need to focus on is not an easy task! I agree with Qualman - we have to determine what we want out of life and what makes us happy. Then, we can focus on some aspect of that each day.
I encourage you to make a list of three of the top things that are truly important to you. Once you know that, see how much or how often you actually focus on these things. Make either a mental note or an actual written note about when you spend the time to focus on those things in any given day, week or month. Assess how you do and then decide what you want to modify.
In short, before finding the time and energy to focus on something, ask yourself if it is a priority and just how important it is to you.
I empower mission-driven individuals to organize their priorities and focus on what matters. Click here to learn more about my services.
If you would like to get periodic news, tips and updates, join my email list.
