I consciously learned how to focus.
I now handle multiple things with ease and focus at the same time.
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Here are some of the things that work.
1. Stop following the news. 99% of what happens doesn't affect you. But the media's job is to instantly get everything to you wherever you are. You need space from media. Everyone does. Read a newspaper instead, once a day. I read Mint (minimum noise).
2. Remove clutter. It's distracting you away from everything you are working on. Keep your workspace super simple and sparkly clean.
3. Keep your mobile on DND. Always. Call back once you are free. Share a secret way someone can reach you in case something is urgent, but only a few need to know this. Calls from unknown numbers that are urgent are rare. Don't let it affect your norm.
4. Assume that nothing is as bad as it looks or as good as it looks. Adopt calmness as a way of life and dealing with things. Talk slowly, take the time to understand before responding, and show genuine interest and care in things. Showing you care (after some delay) is much better than an instant, unthought-through response.
5. Keep your default answer to take up or do anything as NO. No is powerful. And when you have to put in much effort to get to a YES, that means you've thought everything through.
6. Meditate. Most leaders I know practice meditation every day. Millions of people already benefit from it. It is not unscientific. People who benefit don't talk about it openly because there is societal pressure to conform to a stance that’s not worth fighting about.
7. Remember that focus doesn't happen by trying to focus; it comes by making sure you start doing things. This post did not happen because I was focused on writing it. I started writing it, deleting it, writing more, deleting more, and finally got to a flow state. That's how focus happens. Don't wait for it. Make it happen.
8. Create a chain of tasks. You can build this chain as you go. But merely having a task waiting for your attention will make you want to complete the task at hand faster. It doesn't matter whether you put complex or simple tasks first. Simpler tasks energize you, and complex ones challenge you. Both are good to have at the start.
Have more tips that you've learned on how to focus? Please add in the comments.
#work #focus
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