Are you aware of the power of focus? Have you ever set goals for yourself that seem to drag on without much progress? Focus is a critical aspect of achievement that can’t be overlooked. Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where focus is increasingly difficult to apply. This often results in outcomes that do not align with your potential. You have the potential to achieve most anything you like, all it takes is a dream, a plan of action, and focus.
The following will cover common, everyday distractions as well as others you may not realize. By the end of this article, you should be able to easily recognize distraction and find focus in your most productive state.
Identifying Distractions
First off, I’d like to identify what a distraction is exactly. The dictionary describes it as: “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else”. Now, what deserves attention more than working towards your ideal life? If a certain activity or behavior does not align with your goals, you are only cutting yourself short.
A lack of focus slows progress and has the potential to result in failure if not kept in check. Everyone has different goals in life, but here are a few common distractions I have seen.
Common Distractions
- TV/movies/streaming
- Video games
- Social media
- Drugs/alcohol
- Texting/email/phone calls
- Browsing the web
- Noisy/busy environment
We’ve all experienced at least a few of these distractions, but the idea is to keep them in check. Everybody needs time to take a break and recharge. I for one am absolutely guilty of the occasional Netflix binge, web browsing, and weekend out. The important thing is to keep your goals as the priority and other activities as the minority. The more you limit these distractions and focus, the faster your progress will be.
Unaligned Distractions
Beyond common distractions, there are distractions that are not in alignment with your immediate goals. For example, let’s say your short-term goal is to learn more about Facebook advertising, but half the time you find yourself learning about real estate investing. Real estate investing is a great thing, but it’s not your primary goal at the moment. This is where the power of focus really comes into play.
When you have a 6 month goal and are determined to reach it, you need focus. Any and all information you consume or activities you do need to focus around that goal. Don’t let the noise creep in, all podcasts, Youtube videos, books, courses, meetups, and more should be in alignment with that priority. Once that objective has been achieved, you can move onto the next goal in your timeline.
Personally, I have my fair share of distractions in this regard. There’s so much to learn and I’m curious about so many things that I lose focus on my primary objectives. As if Netflix and web browsing aren’t bad enough, I find the need to stop myself from learning other topics and focus on what needs to get done to move forward.
General vs Focused Knowledge
I wanted to touch on the difference between general a focused knowledge. Something I just recently came to realize is that many podcasts, Youtube videos, and other content sharing platforms can become a distraction in that they only scratch the surface of true understanding.
If your goals were to master Facebook advertising, podcasts and Youtube videos would only get you so far. To truly master a subject, you need to dive deep. This requires you to avoid the noise and focus on your goal by diving into rich content (courses/mentorship/trial & error) that helps you achieve your objective. This is the power of focus, it will get you where you want to go.
The Power of Focus
Focus is a powerful vehicle towards success. It’s easy to become distracted, but it’s those who discipline themselves who come out on top. To help you remain focused on your goals, here are a few ways to reduce the noise and make real progress.
- Turn off the TV: Television is just entertainment to pass the time. Instead, use that time to focus on reaching your immediate goals.
- Turn off phone/email/text: During times of intense studying, working, family time, etc., silence your phone and focus on what’s important.
- Disable/remove distractions: Disable or remove any further distractions whether it be internet connection, music, social media, etc.
- Work in your optimal environment: Find your optimal time and place for focus. Remove noise, visual distraction, and find a place of comfort. This will allow your mind to absorb and create, free from distraction.
- Work in an ideal state: Eat well, exercise, have plenty of rest, and support your body/mind to produce the best results.
The power of focus can’t be denied. Given a timeline of goals, focus, and persistence, you will have a much higher chance of success. Do you think you will ever look back and wish you had watched more television or browsed social media more often?…doubtful. So, take this as an opportunity to focus on your goals so you can look back on a life well lived…you won’t regret it.
What are your thoughts? Have you been working towards your goals with focus? Leave a comment or question below, I’d love to hear what you’re working towards!
