Some days are completely impossible. To do lists are long and numerous, the phone rings, important emails pop up that need a quick response, the mobile phone beeps countless times, daydreams take over, meetings interrupt the writing when it's flowing best etc etc.
The ability to focus and be present is the key to good productivity, at work and in everyday life. To focus is to narrow your attention to something specific, to keep your eyes on a specific goal. It is the key to concentration, efficiency and clarity. The problem is that attention is a limited resource and distractions are all around us. There are many different things competing for our attention all the time, and that poses a bigger problem today than ever before. The brain is not built to "have too many balls in the air" all the time.
The effect is that it becomes too much, that you become overwhelmed by everything that happens and instead get nothing done. Throwing anchors for our attention has become a daily challenge. To prioritise what is most important right here and now.
A first step to becoming more focused is to identify what is distracting your attention. Once you have learned to identify how you get lost in thought, what demands your attention, you can then practise becoming more present and focused. Mindfulness in everyday life! An incredibly important tool!
Thought of the day:
Have you identified how your attention works and what interferes with it?
This article is part of The 50 day challenge, where I challenge myself to write an article a day for 50 days! The articles can be about anything, short or long, but I can't miss a single day!