Focus on completion until success. What does this actually mean? The dictionary refers to focus as “the center of interest or activity.” But, what if you don’t center on the correct things? It’s obvious that undivided attention on the items that will bring about success. Because you bring about what you think about, but why don’t people do what they say they’re going to do when they say they are going to do it?
Attractions of distractions
It seems pretty obvious that spending time doing things that eliminate your chances of success …
Watching television, Video Games, and social networking will reduce your chances of success. But why do we do it? Why don’t we just center the steps entirely to get where you’re trying to get? Of course, just about everyone realizes that they must concentrate on actively recentering their attention, but let’s face it, its hard. My friends and I often joke around about the dogs from a popular movie, whenever they start to do something, but a squirrel goes by the dog takes off after the squirrel. So when we think the other person is getting distracted we say “squirrel,” then laugh and try to get back to the topic of the discussion.
It’s almost inevitable that it takes less willpower to continue in a direction which interests you than one that doesn’t. This is called the law of momentum. A rock will find it easier to continue to roll down a hill then to stop in the middle of the hill. The mind is the same way. Unfortunately, the human mind also seeks a constant source of rewards. If the mind tries to grab something else of more interest, it may well be attracted to that over what’s important. Often referred to as lack of prioritization or procrastination, I believe it goes a little deeper than the subtle name of mental biases. Procrastination is the ultimate time thief. By justifying why you are not focusing on nor doing what you intend to do, you believe it’s OK. But, in actuality, you are watching the time you have here on earth slipping through your fingers and saying its’ OK because… and you never get the time back. So why not just push your self to get it done today.
Define why you are focused
Why would you just get into your car and drive 1000+ miles, but not actually Identifying where you want to go. I’m sure someone will say Oh!! I’ve done that, but consider the source and keep 
reading. It’s much easier to overcome a lack of motivation and figure out what drives you to the finish line if you know where the finish line is. The car in the former example will obviously require gas, which in this case is called your defined purpose or goal, the end outcome, the reason why you want to focus. Failure is of no concern if you are focused on something that has such a defined purpose you couldn’t possibly think of doing something else. If the project is large enough, a vision statement could easily get you where you want to go. Whenever you find yourself not wanting to do what you need to, read the vision statement. The clearer and more defined your goal is the better chance you have of success. Just “I want a car” is very ambiguous. You must define the color, make, model and year. If you need to focus on work create an ideal outcome from completing the work. Will you get paid? Is it because you will have the satisfaction of knowing it’s done?
“The most successful people are successful because they did a lot of stuff others didn’t do and they most likely didn’t want to do it either.”
– J –
Remove obstacles from the focus and use tools
Because self-control is fleeting and subjective, do to decision fatigue and easily modified cognitive biases. It may be easier to simply remove the obstacles and make the decision to succeed more natural. I love Palmadoro timers. These are a timer that lets you work for a specific amount of time; then it gives you breaks. For example 25 Minutes on and 5 minutes off. Each break can let you regroup and continue to focus on the desired outcome. Some of the people who I work with swear by meditation. With only 3-5 minutes a day of meditation, it can help train your brain to focus. Over time you will become more focused on your new nature. Take a break every now and then. This helps you keep centering and refresh your mind. It’s advocated you take a 5-minute break each half-hour of work. Another cool tool is focus mantras and affirmations. You can either read the mantra or you can just say it in your head. First, you can say I will … then once you finished saying I am awesome at … When you start this may be a little uncomfortable but over time it may become more natural to you. Minimalism is a new way of living. From tiny houses to 100 items, there are many people who have found this lifestyle to be both fascinating and focusing. It’s founded in removing the number of items one makes a decision about every day. By reducing them over time the decision fatigue will be removed as well as general distractions. Limiting access by using apps that will lock your computer or phone to remove distractions can be extremely powerful. But, have you thought of putting your television remote into
another room.
Remaining focused can seem impossible
Just like any skill being focused on demand will take practice. You must continually return the brain to
your intended target. You must fight procrastination and constantly exert your control over your mind. Keep bringing it back to your desired outcome. It takes less energy to become distracted than to focus on your goal. In the world, you are either growing or eroding. It takes energy to grow, and focusing is growth. Using the tools I’ve outlined, designing your goal, and removing the items that will distract you from your environment, you can make it easier for your mind to successfully focus on your desired goal. Start small and work your way up. Just like meditation learning to focus on demand will take a lot of practice.