How good are you at focusing your time and attention toward things that really matter? In a world full of constant distractions, how often do you find yourself struggling to maintain your focus on the things that are truly important to you personally?
The connection between what we choose to focus on and our current reality is often misunderstood. Increasingly, productivity is being replaced by busy work and as a result feelings of frustration are overtaking our sense of accomplishment. Learning to purposely direct your focus will make it possible to reverse this trend.
Focusing on priorities while avoiding distractions
Understanding how our mind uses focus to direct our attention gives us the ability to create a less frustrating and more targeted living experience. We control our perception of reality by controlling what we focus on. This is because focus brings one thing to the center of our attention while deemphasizing everything else.
When we focus on our priorities it also helps us to block out distractions. The less focused we are the more susceptible we become to every little distraction that comes along. And let’s face it; winning the battle against distractions is getting more challenging by the day.
Are you in command of your life’s priorities?
Many people have never actually taken the time to discover what is truly important to them. All through life our priorities are influenced by other people’s advice and expectations. As a result, much of what we do in life is a reflection of those outside influences. And once life becomes a routine, there is a tendency to just keep doing what we have always done without giving it much thought.
Over time our mind and our nervous system gets programmed through repetition. This causes us to continue to pay attention to the things we have always paid attention to. Eventually we can find ourselves in a rut and running on autopilot. The problem with this approach is that life is constantly changing. If we just keep following our old routine, we could easily spend years putting our focus in a direction that does not reflect our true self.
Aligning our priorities with our true self
Before we can establish priorities that truly represent our core self, we need to take the time to discover who we really are. To do this requires that we step outside the programming of those external influences and connect with our deepest values, passions, and motives. But how do we do that?
As important as connecting with our true self is, it is not something that most people are taught through conventional channels. Consequently, it’s a process that many struggle with. In fact, recognizing this need is what moved me to lay it all out in a step-by-step format in my book TRUE SELF. Only when we discover who we are on the deepest levels can we succeed in directing our focus toward the truly important things in life.
Putting it all together
So, just to be clear, let’s look at how focus helps us create a more meaningful reality. Whatever we focus on the most will eventually manifest in our life, but that will only be meaningful if it is in harmony with our true self. Because we have been influenced by external feedback all our lives, our concept of true self is skewed toward the strongest or most unrelenting of those external influences. On top of that the constant barrage of distractions we are exposed to on a daily basis further clouds our perception of who we really are.
Having the right priorities in life is how you buy out the time and energy to put your focus where it will do the most good. For those priorities to be right for you as an individual, you must take the time to discover your true self. Then you are in the position to align your priorities and to focus on the thoughts and activities that lead to a more fulfilling life experience.
Unleash the power of focus
Focus is a very powerful tool, especially when it is used in a way that aligns with and supports your authentic self. I encourage you to take the time to discover your unique inner person. Before you can harmonize your life and the amazing power of focus you need to distinguish the person you truly are from your response to outside influences and expectations.
How do you deal with distractions?
Are you finding it challenging to keep your focus?
Do you feel truly connected to your true self?
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My book TRUE SELF is the fastest inexpensive way (coaching is the fastest) to make positive life changes very quickly. Do you want to discover your core passions, dismantle your hidden, limiting beliefs, and realize your most desired goals? TRUE SELF will guide you smoothly through the process.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Over the years, I seem to have swung from one side to the other. I used to be hyper-focused. Nothing could take my attention away from my task at hand. That was a good thing in some ways because I got things done and did them successfully. But looking back, I think I missed a lot. A beautiful day, my child wanting to play.
Now I am more easily distracted. If I see that it is beautiful outside, I might stop what I’m doing to go for a walk. If a friend needs to talk, I might stop what I’m doing to listen. On one hand, I feel good about being more present and attentive to the moment, more open to happy or meaningful interruptions. On the other hand, I feel frustrated sometimes but how easily I get off track and sometimes waste time.
So I’ve been thinking lately that I want more balance. I don’t have the same priorities as I did when I was younger. That’s okay. Meaningful and happy interruptions are sort of a priority of their own. At the same time, there are things I want to do that require setting aside time and following through.
Your post helped me put this in perspective. I don’t need to be as driven as I was in my youth, but I do need some more of the self-discipline I had then. Thanks.
Galen Pearl recently posted..A Stroll Down Memory Lane
Hi Galen, I like to think of mental focus much like visual focus. If we can develop the ability to go from a wide angle panoramic view to pinpoint concentration at will, then there really is no distractions, just choices
Hi Jonathan,
I have been taking note & putting into practice some of your previous advice on ‘focus’. I like many, fall foul of ‘distractions’
Applying true focus is the best way to gain your traction & move forward. Thank you,
be good to yourself
David.
David Stevens recently posted..The Imagination series (part 1)
Greetings David, I think a busy and inquisitive mind has the tendency to lead our attention away from whatever we are focused on. So, staying focused requires some management efforts. If we are focused on the big picture, inevitably some detail with capture or attention. If we are focused on something very specific some interruption will try and redirect our concentration. It’s a little crazy!
Hello Jonathan, wonderful article!
I cannot agree more. being able to focus on life priorities which are aligned to our true self can make the difference between living a life of inspiration or a life of despair.
But it requires skills we don’t necessary learn at school: the ability to focus, to prioritize and to know your own true self.
Thanks for your inspiration!
marc van der Linden recently posted..How to use great questions to relax yourself
Hi Marc, isn’t it ironic that the skills we need most are the ones we need to learn through alternate channels while society tries to fill us to the brim with nonsense?
Sometimes distractions are okay I would imagine – when we see a beautiful bird flying outside our window and we’re working – I would think that would be a wonderful distraction and it’s okay to take a breather and go check it out.
I actually do know what you mean though – keeping from the daily distractions of life. Staying in the NOW works for me Jonathan. One step at a time and then another step until your goal is met.
Great article as always,
Nancy
Nancy Shields recently posted..THE POWER OF WORDS….
Hi Nancy, sometimes those beautiful and unexpected distractions can be the highpoint of our day. I think the trick is to learn to enjoy the worthwhile distractions while developing the skill to filter out the noise. Of course, we also need the ability to jump back into focus mode after the little pause that refreshes.
Hi Jonathan,
In the past I was easily distracted because I did not really have some meaningful objectives in life. As a result, whatever turns up will draw my attention. When there was a new discussion down the aisle, I will listen in. Whenever someone suggested an activity, I would join in. I thought I was just trying to be acceptable to the circle. How false that was? All this while, all this is done unconsciously. Sometimes, I even lose track of time and my main tasks at hand.
But now, having gone through a self discovery journey, I know what are some of the goals that mean a lot to me. The kind of pain and pleasure that I associate these goals with. Plus the errors made to manage and plan my time proper, my awareness of whether I am on task or not has improved markly. The results have been phenomenal. Such is the power of focus.
I invite you to take a look at what Fred Tracy has got to share with us on personal development and blogging through my interview series below.
Cheers
Jimmy recently posted..What Fred Tracy has to Say About Blogging
Hi Jimmy, along with self discovery we also learn something else that is extremely important. We learn what doesn’t matter. Once we know that something that is attempting to distract us is valueless to us personally, it no longer has the power to capture our attention.
Being able to focus on our priorities often get’s blurred when we allow the wants of others and we allow ourselves to derail from our path. What drives me a bit crazy is when people blame others for this derailment rather than owning it themselves. Only we can allow ourselves to derail. It is a choice! Working on “focus” is what allows us to choose more wisely and continue on our path. A great reminder for so many things in life!
Julie Gaudet recently posted..Simple Life Strategies
Hi Julie, that is such an important reminder. We will never harness the full power of our abilities until we are willing to accept full responsibility for our outcomes. Once we own it then we are in the driver’s seat.