5 Steps to Maximizing YOUR Focus!

Most everyone is aware of how difficult it can be to focus these days with all of the distractions around us, whether it's the numerous interruptions caused by advances in technology, your family's needs, your finances, not to mention your health, relationships and all other areas of your life that can distract you or require your immediate attention.

Below are 5 Steps you can focus on today to begin mastering the desired quality of your life!

1. CLARIFY THE DESIRED OUTCOME AND KNOW WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU
The 80/20 rule applies to this. What I see, over and over again with clients, is that 80% of you having what you want is to be very clear on what you want and why you want it. Be sure to begin with the end in mind!! It's critical to be clear and focused on this first step. Write it down, post it up on your bathroom mirror, car dash, desktop - visualize it - feel what it feels like when you achieve that outcome.

2. IDENTIFY THE PRIORITIES FOR ACHIEVING IT
Then begin to capture your actions - and this is only 20% of achieving your outcome! If the action is not something you enjoy, or is uncomfortable, don't focus on the action, focus on the outcome!! When you keep your focus on the 80%, your desired outcome, the 20% will appear to fall into place. Prioritize your actions and leverage and/or delegate anything you don't need to spend your own time on. Then schedule these actions into your calendar and make them a Must!

3. ALLOW YOURSELF TO TAKE BREAKS.
Your body has a natural ultradium rhythm every 90 minutes. This natural rhythm allows you to focus for a specific period of time [90 minutes], and then it is time to take a break! This means you can set yourself up to work optimally by scheduling actions into 90 minute cycles on your calendar, with a break in between. These breaks or rests, allow you to refresh yourself and begin again renewed with a feeling of vitality and motivation. They can be 20 minute breaks to get up and walk around, handle other priorities, or when you are on deadline and don't have the 20 minutes available, then drinking water, deep calming breaths or stretching can quickly support you towards a renewed feeling of energy and focus.

4. HAVE WORK FREE ZONES.
Establish times and spaces that give you the opportunity to disconnect from work in order to create more balance in your life. By disengaging for short time periods, you will increase your energy and focus. What creates more balance in YOUR life? Running? Working out at the gym? Hanging out with your family or friends? Contributing to your community? Reading? Yardwork? Even 10 - 15 minutes is very rejuvenating!

5. DEFINE YOUR BOUNDARIES AND STICK TO THEM
By far, one of the greatest time-wasters is when you allow other people to distract you from your predetermined Musts. When you're focused, you simply do not allow this to happen. You may need courage, clarity or motivation to communicate your boundaries to others, not denying an interaction, simply delaying it so you can stay focused on what's most important in the moment.

So there are your 5 strategies to maximizing YOUR focus. Be sure to develop a basic system that makes it easy for you to follow through with your commitment. You will be amazed at how sharp your focus can be.

Begin today! Remember it takes practice and time to make this change automatic. The effort is absolutely worth it.