How Do You Focus?

With life so busy and the Summer months approaching (or here already!) it is easy to get distracted...I call it 'shiny object syndrome'.

The question of focus has come up numerous times with clients in the past few weeks.  The discussion inevitably leads to "you have so many things on the go, how to do you focus?"

Here is my response:
"I use tools to keep me on track  - like my calendar, CRM with reminders, project planners, post-it notes (small and gigantic!) and to do lists".  Sounds like a lot of things in play to keep me focused, but really I attribute it to what is needed at the time.  I have somewhat of organized chaos in my head, and on my desk...

....this helps me to focus as I can constantly move, check, check off, update and/or complete each task related to each project.  I also track my time on 'work' - this rewards my sense of accomplishment.

Building habits or changing habits is not easy and requires time & commitment - going about this means the following:

1. determine what is not working & eliminate it (duplicate tools or methods)
2. understand what obstacles are distracting you or getting in your way (things you don't like to do, or things you do too often - like check email or shop online)
3. focus your habit building on what will make you feel great getting it done - work on all of that in the morning...when we are at our freshest!
4. save all the little minutia and rote tasks for late afternoon - you can get a lot completed and move from one thing to the next without having to force your concentration for long periods of time
5. don't let others hijack your time - if your calendar is FULL - make note of that and do not book more appointments into it!  People will understand.
6. Practice it over and over until it sticks - at least for 30 days.....and then make shifts that create a more efficient process.

Let me know what else works to get you focused!