A Few To-Do's to Bring Better Focus

I am not an expert on maintaining focus. I am constantly curious, quick to move on to the next item, and impatient. On the other hand, I have found a few principles and a couple of to-do's that if honored and taken...can harness that curiosity and urgency. I share these ideas only for those share a similar challenge, whether from their internal or external environments. 

Here’s what works when I work these steps:

START THE DAY BEFORE

Focus today starts the day before.

* Prepare tomorrow’s to-do list today. I prepare my to-do list at the end of the day before I turn my computer off. Or I prepare it just before I go to bed.

This heads off any distractions and starts the day with a little bit of urgency and excitement.

* Go to bed early. That works for me. For some, going to bed late works better. This also implies:

• no caffeine after lunch.

• turn off the computer at night. Walk...away. The results make this easier for me.

SHORT TO-DO LIST

I keep it short. Only 3-5 big items are listed. These are the items aligned with my personal and/or business reasonable aspiration or hoped-for future.

I once listed ...everything on my to-do list. Drove me crazy, into a frenzy, all day. I found I made less progress, lost perspective more, was less able to respond to the daily interruptions, and came away more frustrated.

But everything cannot be important. 3-5 big items are important. Finishing or at least making progress on them is important.

GO HOME

I promise everyone that the work will be there tomorrow.

But, their solutions await some quiet time, some re-creation time, some relaxation time.

Deadlines must be met, sure. But, how many times have I walked away from a persistent problem only to find the solution pop up as I relaxed on a run, driving home, going for a walk, about to nod off at night...And how many times have I created bigger problems when forced on a solution only for my convenience.

Go home.

EXERCISE REGULARLY.

Do something. Do it regularly. Walking, running, swimming...chasing the dog, chase your kids...chase your spouse.

Do something and do it regularly.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE; DO WHAT YOU MUST

Yes, tasks must be completed. Customer calls must be taken...immediately. Family needs are a priority.

But, carve out some time each day to do what we love. Over time, we find we spend more time with more people doing what we love together.

Some readers may want more specific steps. Here are links to some longer, more detailed, lists with some excellent tips and perspectives.

• 18 ways to Stay Focused at Work, David Cheong

• Tips for Staying Focused and Productive, by Liz Bywater, PhD

• 5 Tips for Staying Focused, an Eclectic Mind by Maria Langer

• Five 5-Minutes Tips to Staying Focused, by Business Pundit

What do you do to bring, keep, return focus to your day? Share them. We all need all the help we can get.