Comments on: What Do You Do To Get Totally Focused?

By: Tim Rosanelli

Tim Rosanelli — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:19:00 +0000

The biggest hurdle is just getting started. Many times, if I am avoiding a task, I put the simplest step on my To Do List. For example, if I want to write an article, I will put Open up and write title in MS Word Document. Once I do that, inertia takes over the rest.

By: Tim Rosanelli

Tim Rosanelli — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:19:00 +0000

By: Virgil Dodson

Virgil Dodson — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:08:24 +0000

I chew up a pen. Really. Usually a plastic pen. I figured out a long time ago that when I put a pen in my mouth while I'm concentrating on a problem that I can get into the zone and finish what I'm working on. Maybe for the reasons that Leissa chews gum,”to take care of the manic multi tasking urges”, but whatever the reason, many plastic pens have met their demise to help me solve a problem..

By: Susan Martin - Business Coach

Susan Martin - Business Coach — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:25:58 +0000

As a business coach, many of my clients talk to me about problems with focus, and often the answer lies in taking some kind of practical action to get you going, such making lists or listening to music. What I find, is that the strategies often need to be different for each individual.

Some people feel that there to do list is an enormous mountain that needs to be conquered, if that's what going through you mind, it's often helpful to to break things down into the smallest possible chunks, things you can complete something in one sitting.

Others get distracted because there is a lot of chaos in their environment, and find it hard to concentrate until some of that chaos is eliminated, and sometimes starting with some housecleaning can help like clearing off your desk or answering a bunch of emails or voice mails that have been piling up.

If you're feeling as though the phone is always ringing, or too many emails, texts or IM's are interfering with your productivity, often setting some boundaries, turning off the electronic devices and scheduling "focused work periods" with yourself to complete one specific task can be very helpful.

And of course, if there are underlying issues that are getting in the way, focus is often hard to come by until you've allowed yourself to deal with things you'd rather avoid.

By: Eric Ungs

Eric Ungs — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:52:59 +0000

Music and complete silence is a distraction for me. I also need white noise to be fully engaged and focused in what I am doing.
I put on my ear buds and direct myself to simplynoise.com, which I discovered through one of your weeks in review posts. Great stuff!

By: Adventurous Wench travel store

Adventurous Wench travel store — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:55:45 +0000

To be in my zone. I go somewhere quiet. Meditate for 30 minutes. Visualize the finished work . And do the task.

By: lisamariemary

lisamariemary — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:47:44 +0000

I put on my classical channel on Pandora – usually at a very low volume. Occasionally, I will listen to something upbeat – if I'm really pumping out content like a madwoman, or if I'm extremely passionate about the particular topic I'm writing about. Generally, though – I shut up my ADD-brain with classical music. That keeps it busy so that I can get to work.

I am intrigued, though, by Matt's method of putting a song on repeat. I have used that in other instances and it's been either very helpful or comforting. I may have to try that!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:32:55 +0000

I'm kind of new to the internet and the amount of potential incoming and outgoing information, I tend start early and read around in ever decreasing circles, taking nibbles of info until I have settled into the task(s) at hand for the day.

Not sure it's most effective way yet but it's a learning curve!