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Getting out your own way...

The problem with entrepreneurs is that they are often pulled in too many directions at once and it can be hard to stay focused on what matters most.

This lesson will explore how to move beyond time management to focus management to create more time for yourself and your business.

What is focus?

Focus can be defined as the ability to give your undivided attention to something. In our fast-paced, constantly-connected world, it has become increasingly difficult to find moments of complete focus. However, it is important to remember that focus is a muscle that can be developed with practice.

There are many benefits to increasing your focus, including improved productivity, better time management, and reduced stress levels.

In addition, when you can focus on one task at a time, you are more likely to achieve a “flow” state – a state of complete absorption in an activity that leads to peak performance.

So how can you increase your focus?

Before we get into that, it’s important to understand the three reasons why people lose focus...

You're sitting at your desk, working on a project that's due soon. Your phone is next to you, and you can't help but wonder if you've gotten any new notifications since the last time you checked. Suddenly, your mind starts wandering and before you know it, you're checking your phone again.

Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. In today's world of constant notifications and social media, it's harder than ever to stay focused on the task. But if you want to be successful in business, you must learn how to conquer distractions and focus on what matters most.

So what are the top three reasons people get distracted?

• Decreasing attention spans
• FOMO
• Shiny Object Syndrome

We now live in what's been called the "attention economy," where our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions by a never-ending stream of information and distractions. This can make it difficult to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time.

As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to focus on your business when there are so many distractions around you. The internet, social media, and other forms of technology can make it difficult to stay on task. Not only that, but our attention spans are decreasing at a rapid rate.

One study found that the average attention span has decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to just eight seconds in 2015! That's shorter than the attention span of a goldfish, which is believed to be nine seconds. Yikes!

And this is not by accident. Big Tech has engineered their products to be addictive by design. They use a combination of behavioral psychology and neuroscience to keep our attention on their platform so that they can sell our attention to the highest bidder.

But, just because they have designed their products to be addictive, doesn't mean that we have to be victims of their design. There are ways that we can minimize and overcome the distractions in our lives so that we can focus on what matters most.

FOMO is an acronym for "fear of missing out". It is a psychological condition that causes people to feel anxious or uneasy when they are not participating in current events or activities. This can be especially harmful to business owners, as it can cause them to make hasty decisions based on fear of missing out rather than sound judgment.

There are a few telltale signs that you may be experiencing FOMO. If you find yourself constantly checking social media or email, even when you're not expecting anything important, this may be a sign that you're trying to keep up with what others are doing instead of focusing on your own goals. Feeling anxious or stressed when you're not engaged in some activity can also be a sign that you're struggling with FOMO.

If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to take a step back and assess what is causing them.

Is there something that you're not doing that you feel like you should be?

Are you worried about missing out on an opportunity?

Once you identify the root cause of your FOMO, you can start to take steps to conquer it.

Shiny Object Syndrome is a condition that causes people to become easily distracted by what appear to be new and exciting things. This can be harmful to entrepreneurs, as it can cause them to abandon projects that may be important in favor of pursuing something new.

There are a few telltale signs that you may be suffering from Shiny Object Syndrome. If you find yourself constantly starting new projects but never finishing them, this may be a sign that you're getting distracted by new and exciting ideas. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of things you have to do can also be a sign that you're struggling to focus on what's truly important.

If you want to be successful in business, you need to learn how to focus. That means eliminating distractions and being able to laser-focus on your goals.

The good news is that it's not as difficult as you might think. Once you know how to do it, it can become second nature.

We use a technique called the "Focus Shield" method.

It has five parts:

As part of our setup, we're going to use time blocks to manage your focus.

The time-blocking method is simple: you break your day into blocks of time, and during each block, you focus on a specific task. No multi-tasking allowed!

Start by creating a list of the tasks you need to complete (this was part of yesterday's lesson).

Then, determine the available time blocks you have during the week. And finally, assign each task to a specific time block.

Be sure you include a variety of task types, from answering emails to brainstorming new ideas to working on a specific project.

One way to do this is by batching similar tasks together and working on them in blocks of time. For example, if you need to answer emails or return calls, set aside a specific time and work on them one after the other.

Set specific times to check social media or email, and stick to them. This will help you avoid getting sidetracked by notifications.

Set aside specific times for "deep work". This is when you need to focus on a challenging task that requires all of your attention.

You can use the Pomodoro Technique to help you with this. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on the task until the timer goes off. Then, take a five-minute break. Repeat this process until the task is complete.

Note: You can use your "Get Focus" bonus audio here. It's conveniently just 25 minutes long. It also uses special audio sounds and frequencies to get you into a focused brain state. 😉

Time block breaks!

Some people try to cram their time blocks choc-full with something important to do. But this is a recipe for burnout.

Instead, block regular breaks into your day. Get up and walk around, get some fresh air, or just take a few minutes to relax. This will help you to stay refreshed and focused when it's time to get back to work.

Sometimes the best ideas come when you're not actively working on a problem. So, instead of forcing yourself to come up with solutions, take a break and let your mind wander. You may be surprised at what you come up with.

Now that you have your time blocks (including breaks), it's time to move on to part two.

You're ready to start one of your time blocks. Now what?

Make a list of all the things that could potentially distract you from achieving your goal. This could be anything from social media to email to phone calls.

Once you've identified the potential distractions, it's time to set up your environment for success.

• Turn off your email notifications and put your phone on silent so you can focus on the task at hand.
• Remove distractions from your workspace. If possible, work in a quiet place where you can focus on your tasks without interruption.
• Set yourself up for success by creating a conducive environment. This might mean working in a quiet space, dimming the lights, or investing in noise-canceling headphones.

Ready to start a time block?

First, identify your goal this block of time.

What is it that you want to achieve?

And although you've heard it a thousand times, you need to set a SMART goal for this time block.

It needs to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

The time block takes care of the "time-bound" but you need to make sure the rest of these criteria are met.

For example, a goal like "work on the project" is not specific enough. But "complete three tasks associated with the project" is much better.

This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where you sit down and work on your goal.

The key is to take things one step at a time. Don't try to do too much at once. Just focus on making progress, no matter how small. Use time-blocking to help you stay on track.

This is the most important part of the process. This is where you take a moment to celebrate your success. Pat yourself on the back for staying focused and achieving your goal.

This step is important because it helps to reinforce positive behavior. The more you celebrate your success, the more likely you are to repeat it in the future.

This is also the part where you assess your progress and adjust your goals for the future. If you didn't quite reach your goal, don't beat yourself up. Just set a new goal and try again next time.

So there you have it!

The "Focus Shield" method is a great way to stay focused on what's important. By following these five steps, you can train your mind to eliminate distractions and laser-focus on your goals. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed or distracted, just remember to use your Focus Shield.

Tiny Habit recipe: After I get distracted while trying to focus, I will take one deep breath, let go of any frustration and then celebrate that I recovered my focus.

This Tiny Habit may seem small but it's quite powerful.

When you get distracted and then recover your focus, you are building your focus muscle.

The more you build your focus muscle, the better you will become at blocking out distractions and staying focused.

Start by adding this Tiny Habit to your week and see how it goes. Remember, even small changes can lead to big results.

• Possibility: Unlike any other mammal, human beings can focus at will. You just have to learn how. What if you could train your focus in the same way you can train your muscles? How would your business improve?
• Identity: Imagine being a superhero with a superpower of focus. How would you use your focus superpower right now?
• Beliefs: Think of someone who you believe knows how to block out distractions and focus. It could be someone at work, a friend, someone famous, or a family member. What beliefs do you think they have that allow them to focus in a distracted world?

1. Pick two 30-minutes time blocks during the week
2. Set a SMART goal for each time block Remember: use your "Get Focused" bonus audio to help set the right environment.
3. What did you learn about your ability to focus?

No matter how you feel about your answer, pat yourself on the back for trying something new!

Remember that your ability to focus is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it will become.

To accelerate your ability to focus, start a mindfulness habit. It's one of the best things you can do for your focus muscle.

• Let go: Take 7 deep breaths: 4 seconds in and 8 seconds out.
• Focus completely on your breath. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
• Question: How freeing is it to let go of distractions?