Focus The Secret to Getting More Done in Less Time
Our time is important to us, and for those of us who want to work on ourselves, create a better life for our families, help others, etc we have more and more items on our to do list everyday. Let?s face it, no matter how good you are, you will never finish. There is always something new to add to the list. But time is the one commodity that we really can?t create any more of, sure we can be as healthy as we can so that we live longer. Now if good health meant living to 90 rather than 80 do you want to be using the extra 10 years at 80,or do you want to have 10 years worth of free time to do what you love, to spend with your family, to travel the world, NOW?
It?s important to remember that in life all you have is now. Even if you have a great future ahead, you’re always on the journey. Death is the only arrival. So you have to make sure that you are enjoying your time and spending it well right now. You can do this by getting the things you have to do done more quickly so that you free up more of your time.
It’s very easy to get more done more quickly. All it takes is Focus. Focus was something I used to struggle with. We are conditioned in the modern world to be multi-taskers. If you try to divide yourself and spread your attention to too many things they will all suffer. Focusing on one thing at a time means you get it done faster AND you do a better job. Remember, as I learned from Brian Tracy: What you focus on grows.
Applying your focus is actually very simple. Start your day with a little planning. What is truly important? What HAS to happen today? Create a list of only the important things. Don’t forget some of the most important tasks should be your exercise program, your time with the family, etc. It’s important not to work this like a usual to do list and just work your way through it. You need to actually schedule your tasks into your day.
Now you must apply Focus. When you reach the time you set aside for a task you can ONLY focus on the given task. You have to close your email, turn off your phone, and go to a quiet place. If you need to use the computer or internet for your task it is imperitive that you close every single unneccessary open window or tab. You can easily get tempted to hit the refresh button or check your emails. The quickest way to get distracted is to have Twitter and Facebook open. If the tabs or windows are not open it would take a conscious decision from you to check Twitter or your emails, and now you know that it would be detrimental to your Focus and you can make the right decision. The more you keep your computer screen, desk, etc tidy the easier you will find it to focus.
Simply decide what task to do, when to do it, then get rid of any distraction. When you first do this you may find you are tempted to check your voicemails, looks at email, etc. But as you make the move to do that, stop, think of the power of focus and return to your task. I guarantee you will get faster and better at everything you do. And as you get more done in less time you will have more free time for you and your family.
Learn more about Focus and other empowerment and personal development techniques by visiting NiamhArthur.com, where Niamh Arthur will show you how to make personal development a part of your day to day living.