Virginia WaltonFocus.. Do we really have it? I’m sure teachers have been struggling the past year to have students focus or get their directed attention. I have heard numerous parents talk about the struggle with getting kids to focus on school work in a virtual learning setting. The same was true for many who shifted to a work from home environment- hard to focus on work and virtual meetings with the distractions our homes, especially with everyone in them can bring.
But even before the Pandemic, were we focused? We live in a world where job descriptions often state a requirement is to ‘multi-task’. You will find I am very much in the camp of anti- multitasking.
The reason, we really aren’t doing it. There are countless articles and studies that show that multi-tasking is a myth. Our brains are not able to do two things at one time. You are just going back and forth quickly without focusing on what you are doing. Not to mention doing this is unhealthy! These same articles will also tell you that it can lead to early onset of dimension related illnesses.
If you are sitting in a meeting and writing an email response, you are not listing to the discussion in that meeting. If you tell me, well I really don’t need to be in that meeting- I would then ask, well why are you there then. Then leave either physically or virtually. What is the reason driving you to participate? If it’s to listen, then… um, hello- stop checking email, texts, IMs etc. and listen. Your brain can’t listen and think of the what to send in an email.
Trust me, I’ve tried to do this. As a result, I hit send on emails that were not complete and had to re-do them. I still remember years ago being in a meeting, getting bored/distracted or something, looking down and realizing I hadn’t hit send on several instant message responses, so I thought- oh let me just clear these out. Guess what- my face flashed on the screen in the conference room. Yup, I had sent an IM to the person projecting and everyone saw it. I sat in horror at my own stupidity and prayed I hadn’t said anything I would not want 15 people to see!
I have also been in meetings with people who were their because their valuable input was needed. They were key to the discussion and when they would be asked a question, they would look up from their laptop/tablet and say “Could you repeat that?”- which then frustrated everyone in the room since it was obvious, they had not been paying attention at all! Now we had to go back, waste time and team capital. Let’s face it. No one likes it when someone acts like his/her time is more valuable than yours.
For those that exercise- how focused are you when you exercise? Are you on the treadmill reading a book? Yes, you’re getting in a mental work out too, but are you maximizing your workout or fully absorbing the content of the book? Probably not. I use a heart rate monitor to work out, and I noticed when my mind starts to go to something other than my work out, like my to do list, my heart rate drops burning less calories. That means, I’m not getting the most out of my workout.
If you practice yoga or other balance activity, the instructor often tells you to focus your eyes on one point. What happens when you shift your gaze? You start to fall. If you start to think about something other than the pose you are doing, the same thing happens; you wobble.
So, if you have a goal, are you focused on it? Or are you bouncing between it and a dozen other things. If you are not making progress on that goal, my guess is that you are not focusing on it. A few weeks ago, we talked about resetting. This is part of it, realizing the lack of focus and making a commitment to do it. That does not mean you have to spend hours a day. You have to make a plan that works with your life and all of things you have going on. I have a weight goal for this year, so as that deadline is approaching, I find when I go to the pantry or want to skip a workout, I remind myself of the goal, and it helps make a better choice. The goal is more important and it keeps me focused. Does that mean I gave up our Sunday night trip for ice cream? No, I’ve balanced my goal with my lifestyle. I focus on that too.
Focus on you! The past year has taught us we’re adaptable, I’m sure everyone has had to figure out how to do something differently. If you have been saying “I can’t change”, stop because you can, the past year provided it.
You can change, you can focus, you can accomplish your goals. It takes effort and a little patience, but once you start, it will get so much easier. Trust me! I found my work quality was better and more efficient when I focused. When I focus on my work out and not checking email on the elliptical, I get better results faster. That’s the driver of our lack of focus, too much going on, well the solution is to focus because you work smarter, not harder whether it is work or a personal goal. How much quicker does the housework get done when you stick to the task at hand, and not get distracted. Try it, it if doesn’t work I’ll give you your money back on this advice.
Thank you for taking time to be part of this journey. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about this, please reach out. Drop me a message or comment.
Be well!