At the end of the day, you can’t control the results; you can only control your effort level and your focus. Ben Zobrist
When we focus on a goal, we are likely to achieve it; much more likely, in fact, if we are centered and not distracted. However, there are situations when we need to recenter ourselves because the world is full of distractions. But what do you do when you feel you have lost your way? Let’s find out!
Remember your purpose
The first goal is to connect with your motivation. What were you looking for, originally? Find out the why and it will often help you rediscover your motivation.
Sometimes, you will find that the why no longer compels you in the same way. Perhaps, you have changed and now you need to find a different purpose. When you achieve that, you will discover a new capacity for focus.
But often, your purpose has remained steady. Remind yourself of why things were so important, and it will be easier to find the strength to focus on it again.
Cut down on distractions
The second thing you need to regain your focus is to reduce the unnecessary clutter in your life in terms of activities. Try to fill your time less with activities and tasks that are less important and focus your attention on the tasks that are related to your goal.
Your focus is limited. You can really keep one thing at the forefront at the same time, so it’s important to reduce the amount of distractions that are vying for your attention.
Unclutter your life. Reduce unnecessary activities that are taking up your time. Cut down on the things that are not helping right now and delegate what you can.
Adapt your environment
In addition to reducing the amount of different tasks, you can also achieve a lot by adapting your environment. Make it work for you and not against you. You should also declutter the environment, so that you can easily find the things that you need for the work you’re focusing on.
Clear some surfaces to leave space to be creative and work. Empty your desk to give your brain the chance to focus. Also, make sure to remove your distractors: turn off the TV and the notifications on your cell. Bring the snacks and drinks beforehand, if you need them. Lay out your tools or anything else required to start. Bring your noise-canceling headphones and put a do-not-disturb sign on the door. Make your environment a focus-friendly space.
Recruit some help
You can also get other people to help you regain your focus. Ask them to support you in different ways and see that you might be able to get farther than going at it alone.
What can you ask of other people? You can ask them to gently put you back on track if they see you getting distracted. You can ask them to respect and support your need for a time to yourself and to support your focus by respecting your working periods or taking on a responsibility that would normally distract you.
Keep your body healthy
Another important thing you need to do is to keep your body healthy and fit to maintain periods of prolonged focus. You should give yourself the chance to stay motivated by not working yourself to the bone and taking breaks. Breaks help maintain your focus, and trying to do too much can be difficult to sustain over a long period of time!
Make sure you are drinking and eating well, and sleep is super important. When we lack sleep, our brain struggles to focus on the most basic things. You might gain a tiny bit of productivity by working through breaks, without eating, or without sleep, but you always pay a much higher price in the end.
Your focus comes from a combination of factors. It involves knowing why, what, and when you are doing things. But it also means staying motivated, fit, and making your environment work in your favor. Asking for help can allow you to truly focus on what’s important in the moment. It’s a process with many things to consider, each of them making your focus clearer and more centered.
