3 Ways To Get Focused For Success

Did you ever notice that most lists online are made up of “3” or “7” things? I’m sure there’s a marketing statistic out there somewhere, but I’d like to think it’s our primordial relationship with those two numbers. Even the number 5 is a common theme in nature. You’ll find more 5-leaf clovers than those with 4, and ancient cultures tend to have 3, 5 or 7 items, people or animals illustrated on murals and in stories. Now that you’re focused on those numbers, let’s concentrate on one of them – and think about 3 ways you can get more focused and be more successful in everyday tasks, life and work.*

1. Clear Your Mind – We tend to clean up the desk, put away files, and prepare the coffee before we start any assignment. But what we really need to do first is clear our mind of negative thoughts. Try STINs free “Meditation Station” podcasts on iTunes U, or go to Hypnosis Downloads  for over 100 choices in self-hypnosis MP3s you can download very inexpensively.

2. Choose 3 Tasks – Lists, I believe, are the enemy to getting focused on the right things.  Why? Because when you make a list, it becomes a brain storming session. You end up with more things on that list than you can possible begin to accomplish. Instead of making a list, determine 3 tasks that have to completed in a certain time; before noon, by the end of the day, or before you go to bed. It doesn’t matter if they are personal or business related. These are priorities, so they are your focus.

3. Set Time Limits – If you have a deadline, then work to it, but be realistic. We have emails, phone calls, meetings and other interruptions (both pleasant and not so much) that we have to address. Checking emails should never be the first things you do; if people need you that badly, they’ll call. Gather the materials and information you’ll need for the first task, decide what you’ll need to complete before you take a break, but be reasonable. Then get to it. Once you’ve completed the task, put it away, send it off or pass it on, and then prepare for the next task.

* For those of us who don’t have the luxury of working on one task at a time, I suggest you set up your work space in 3 distinct areas, use 3 distinct clip boards, anything to separate the tasks. You will be able to stop a task, move to the next, return to one, and so on throughout your day.

Peace,

Shelly