When you think of the word FOCUS what comes to mind?
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are 2 of the most successful men in the world. They were both asked to write down one word that they attributed their success to. They both wrote the word FOCUS.
Ultimately, focus means putting all of your energy into the one task at hand. No distractions and absolutely no multitasking! With so many distractions in our lives like work and family obligations, social media, tv, webinars, and podcasts how can we focus on 1 task at a time?
We compiled a list of tips to help you be more focused on your prioritized tasks:
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
Select a location with minimal distractions to execute your task. I love finding a quiet room in the library and turning my phone on silent to focus in on a goal. It’s just you and the task and you’re able to get in the zone and get more done.
ACKNOWLEDGE DISTRACTIONS AND DEAL WITH THEM QUICKLY
You will be distracted, the sooner that you accept that fact the better. Have a plan to deal with distractions before you begin focusing on a task. Tell the people around you that you will be focusing on a task and that disruptions should be in the case of an emergency. You can also set a timer and block out time to focus, then allow time for a break. If you know that you’ll be able to check your phone in 30 minutes, the phone will be less tempting. Beat the distractions before they beat you!
DECIDE WHAT MUST BE DONE AND WHAT NEEDS YOUR FULL ATTENTIONS
Take the time to evaluate what you are trying to achieve and the best way to get there. Create a task list and prioritize what needs to be done first or which task can eliminate some of the other tasks. Work strategically instead of filling up your time with busy work.
LIST AND AQUIRE THE TOOLS YOU NEED
What do you need in order to see your goal through to the finish line? If there are things that you need before you can make progress, acquiring those things should be a priority in your action plan. Incorporate acquiring the tools you need into your daily to do lists. Gather everything that you need up front, so there's no need to break your flow once you get started.
MAKE AN ACTION PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Once you have identified the tools that you need and what your priorities are, create an action plan. Each task should be very specific with a deadline. Break larger tasks into smaller ones and stick to your deadlines. When your goals are written down you are more likely to stick to them. Try finding an accountability partner who will cheer you on and hold you accountable to your action plan and deadlines.
The PUSH Pyramid is the perfect tool to help you create a 3-month action plan to help you plan and achieve your goals. You can download the PUSH Pyramid here for FREE
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Take the time, at least weekly, to evaluate your progress and look for opportunities to improve. Also, pat yourself on the back for the things that you accomplished. Tracking your progress also allows you to get more familiar what drives you and helps you thrive. If you find yourself at a road block, adapt but do not quit! No one ever made progress by quitting.
WORK UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR GOAL
Don't quit, Just keep PUSHing! Forward progress is the only way that you will reach the finish line. Being mentally strong enough to persevere past any obstacles is how you will achieve success. You have to want the goal more than anything else. The planning is the easy part, grit and execution will allow you to reach your goal and create the habit of working hard to complete your goals. Once you’ve done it once you can do it again and again until you have a life that you want and deserve
RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND REWARD YOURSELF
If you need an extra incentive, plan a reward for yourself after you complete your goal. Please note, the reward should not be counterproductive. If your goal is to lose 10 pounds, try to avoid rewarding yourself with a celebration cake or drinks at the bar. While you should treat yourself, you want to keep the momentum that you’ve build achieving this goals so that you can roll right into achieving the next goal. Announce that you achieved your goal on social media so the people that love can encourage your progress and give you the boost you need to persevere through the next goal.
“Everyone gets the same number of minutes in an hour. What you do with them and how you invest them will ultimately determine what you'll get out of all the hours in your life.” ~Dave Lakhani
A great book to accompany your productive focus journey is The Power Of An Hour: Business and Life Mastery in One Hour A Week by Dave Lakhani.
All you need is one solid distraction-free hour and Lakhani's instruction manual (which won't take much more than an hour to digest), and you're on your way to achieving a Zen-like state of what he calls "Fearsome Focus" that will blast your troubles away.
For a full summary of The Power of An Hour and additional stategies to improve your productivity, sign up for our FREE 5-day PUSH Your Productivity Email Course!