Keys To Finding Focus In A Sea(Son) Of Distractions

By Brian Maynor

Everyone procrastinates.  Some people call it prioritizing, but regardless of what term you use, we all put off tasks we don’t want to do.

While this happens every day, during the holidays it can get out of hand because there are a lot of distractions, or at the least opportunities for distractions.  That’s why learning how to find our focus is so important.  Focus helps us stay on track and accomplish those tasks that we constantly put off.

Here are a few tips from fellow procrastinators that offer insight and ideas on how to find focus and use it to stop procrastinating:

1.    Embrace it.  First things first, before you can tackle procrastination it’s important to understand and embrace it.  Procrastination comes from fear.  We may be afraid of any number of things like, the unknown, failing, succeeding, or even just stretching out of our comfort zone, but it is still fear, and distractions are little lifesavers we send ourselves to avoid being afraid.

2.    Start small.  No one likes to feel uncomfortable or afraid, even when we steel ourselves for it, so avoid sabotaging your efforts and start small.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to use the Pomodoro technique.  Essentially you set a timer and devote 25 minutes to single-tasking followed by 5 minutes of relaxing.  This is a great structure to accomplish not only short tasks, but also to tackle large ones that seem overwhelming.

3.    Expect resistance.  Staying focused for 25 minutes is harder than it sounds, especially at first.  Think of all of the alerts, notifications and emails that sound on your computer or phone in 25 minutes, and how tempting it is to just glance at them.  Every glance is a distraction that takes your focus away from the task at hand.  And worse case scenario you click on one of them and are taken completely away.  When it happens, acknowledge it and re-focus on the task.  With practice, you will be able to ignore those alerts with ease.

Focus isn’t a quality that you either have or lack, it’s a skill we all have to learn and develop, and the only way to do that is to practice.  Like with any skill, chances are you’re not going to be a master right out of the gate.  Don’t beat yourself up or worse give up because you have setbacks or continue to procrastinate.  Every step forward is progress; even baby ones.

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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.