Sharpen your Mind
Updated: Apr 30, 2021
It's the greatest tool you have.
What you Focus on...
GROWS
And Results Show.
(-Some smart person)
It's easy to get stuck in a rut.
Maybe you were kicking ass at your job, school, and... life for a while. Super motivated, super driven, nothing could stop you... and then you hit a wall. Conscious is clouded. It seems like there's a million things that you could do, but don't know where to start. You feel sluggish. When that 3rd cup of coffee doesn't kick in, you've got deadlines, wife is mad at you and the kids have 3 different sports to get to all at the same time... The negative self-talk starts creeping in... I'm not driven- I'm not smart enough - why does Susie seem to be so on top of it? why can't I focus? ... and the vicious cycle continues.
This is where most of us function, most of our lives. Life is hard. There's no denying that, but if you want to get out of that rut, and start truly living the life you want to live and not be chained down by a clouded mindset, then it's time to make some changes.
When this continues long enough in the same pattern, and all it takes is for someone to point out your 'problem', and for you to accept that maybe they have a point. It may not even take a 'doctor' to 'diagnose' you with a 'condition', that you don't really have. Even if they're trying to be empathetic and supportive. This could have a label like ADHD or anxiety, or a general state like fatigue, lack of motivation, etc. All REAL experiences and are not discounted, as these things impact a massive portion of our population. What is worth considering is that in reality you've just accepted a title and fate that shouldn't define you for the rest of your life. As you are only defined by your current dysfunctional patterns that have developed over time, and have shaped your current subconscious processed, and subsequent reality.
There's a reason why 1 in 12 Americans are dealing with moderate to severe depression (17+ million) and 40 million are dealing with chronic anxiety. This isn't a result of 'bad genes'... but more as a dysfunctional environment that we're subjected to through our social circumstances and tensions, family, neurotoxic foods and products, chronic stress, etc. It may not be your fault, but, you can take small steps to dramatically help your outlook and health.
You don't NEED drugs or artificial means to have a sharp mind and clear focus.
--> You just need the right action steps and build a healthy brain will launch you out of that rut, and on a completely new track in life.
Yes, addressing the obvious factors will help:
Distractions
Effective planning and scheduling
Breaking up tasks efficiently
Time management
The team your surrounded by, and consult with
Etc
All can make a significant impact on your focus and productivity.
We won't go into that here, but once these areas have been addressed, you can take it to the next level:
First step is addressing the very factors that affect how well your brain functions.
Starts between the Ears
There are endless nerdy, biohacky things to do in effort to improve focus. But, at the end of the day, your focus will be internally created and driven. The only way to create sustained attention over a long period of time, as most good things in life don't come over night.
So dig DEEP. Unearth what makes you excited and inspired. What emotionally moves you. What you would stand up for, even against the most ruthless devils-advocate. Motivation will only last so long without a deep-rooted foundation. There are many books, courses, documentaries, talks, professionals, etc that can steer your in a clear direction. A direction that may take many twists and turns, rerouting dozens of times and never truly coming to a destination... but one that fulfills your deepest passions and upholds your God-given purpose, whatever that may be.
Create Routines
Effective routines and an efficient schedule can help you focus on the most important tasks at hand from week to week, daily, and hourly. These may change monthly, and even daily, but having a clear vision of the most important tasks from a personal, professional, social, spiritual, and whatever other values and commitments you want to prioritize.
Trick to this process is... actually following through. Start by outlining your entire week. Day by day, and even hourly. Block out times you absolutely have to be somewhere, and the times that you have open for the things you've been wanting to do; exercise, walk, spend time with your kids, etc.
Create Expectations
For yourself. And hold yourself accountable.
Hold yourself to a high level. We are far more capable than we allow ourselves to believe. It just takes commitment and consistent action to carry it out. Not ever day is going to be a grand slam, but you can make small single base hits consistently.
The easiest way to start positive habits around this is... plan. Plan for success, which starts with planning to hit the steps that are going to get you there. You may see the big picture, but what needs to be done on a daily, and even hourly basis, to get there? Does it start with getting up a half hour earlier? Cutting out watching your favorite Netflix series? Forgiving someone? What's holding you back from making those small, consistent steps to get where you want to be.
This planning process needs to happen ahead of time. Even consiously reviewing your next week's tasks, day by day, will help you set the stage for what needs to be accomplished. Making a clear game plan as to what each day will look like, down to the very hour. My mentors would call this creating your 'war plan'. Others may call it 'block scheduling'. Either way, get crystal clear about what HAS to be done, and then move on to what you WANT to get done as well.
Now stick to it, and hold yourself accountable!
Stabilize your Rhythms
It's easy to get out of sync; or not even get into it in the first place. When we get into a rhythm, life seems to flow. Things fall into place, and good things just happen. We break ourselves out of this rhythm with distractions. And yes, distractions will come from every direction sometimes, but keeping your focus on your priorities, and what is going to get you closer to achieving those goals will get you back on track quicker. Staying in rhythm with your priorities and life.