Basically, when we have one of those days where it seems as if everything is moving around us at a thousand miles per hour, and we can’t seem to focus, it is sometimes pretty easy to look up during that moment, or even at the end of the day and see that we’re not much closer to accomplishing what we planned, than we were when the day started.
If we maybe took a few minutes when pressure seems to be getting to us and step back, take a breath (or possibly a couple of much needed deep breaths) from whatever project, assignment, work we are doing and try looking at the situation from a different perspective, we can possibly end up calmed and more level-headed.
Is it that we finding ourselves letting too many responsibilities pile up, leaving projects or assignments to the last minute, realizing we are continually getting sidetracked? Learning how to stay focused can help us push through the tough and more tedious parts of attaining our goals. Working to complete and strengthen our goals is when our ability to focus will truly be tested.
By thinking about and observing whatever is stressing us, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable chunks, we just might be able to accomplish more—even if it is just one piece at a time—it is still an accomplishment.
Yes, sometimes it is so much easier said than done. Now and then life gets in the way of that plan, or things come up that cause us to put other projects on hold. Well, we can let things build up and have that constant pressure around, or maybe force ourselves to take a few extra minutes at the beginning and set some goals, make a plan, and as NIKE would say, “Just Do It”.
Another idea is we can delve into whatever is stressing and find a way to make it a little more manageable, a little easier to deal with. Maybe even ask someone for some assistance or find some resources out there to come up with that plan to get that project completed.
So, let’s not get ourselves all worked up and stressed out. No one likes stress and if we could, most of us (some people work better under pressure) but what about trying not to improve a bunch of things all at once, if we focus on ONE thing at a time, that will move us closer to those end objectives.
How about we do our best to think about the positives when our goals are completed. The feeling of accomplishment and success can be part of, even the result those end objectives. Start with the process that is easier but challenging as well. If it is less complicated to solve the small stuff first, do that. If we find it more interesting to take the tougher things head on, go for it! But whatever we do, we can’t stay stagnant or give up. Find something we would really like to achieve and work on it. Taking the first step by starting the project can be the beginning of a beautiful end.
For all of this to be a success, we have to of course take into consideration all aspects of daily our responsibilities like going to work, whether our routine is taking care of loved ones at home, going to school, or outside the home at a paid job, they all consist of hard work and dedication. Whether being the sole income or the one responsible for taking care of the kiddos, house and pets every day, or taking college courses to improve yourself can all be equally frustrating, and at times can seem unfair or unequal. Cooperating with coworkers or family members and keeping an open mind and line of communication with our partner, or the one we consider our person is one main aspect to making things for us work successfully, especially our relationships. Once communication is down, or one of us is stonewalling, it may be tougher to work things out, but it can be done. When we are attempting to resolve things whether a project or with someone about concerns like responsibilities and feeling unheard, keep these things in mind:
- Even in the heat of the moment, remember we have to process our own feelings first
- Do our best to use “I” statements and feelings …
- Set clear boundaries. …
- Consider the timing…is something outside of this conversation taking precedence?…
- Be sure to focus on being both heard by the other person, and also keep in mind that there are two sides, so practice active listening.
- Leave notes for our partner. If one of us won’t communicate, this step might work best. Whether we write a message for them when things have calmed down, or just to release our own emotions. …
- Consider compromising and resolving not only the problem at hand, but the goal and maybe even what we feel the outcome could be. …
- Never assume what our partner, coworker or any significant other is thinking/feeling. Even in the heat of the moment, we need to do our best not to put words in their mouths. Attempt to increase a specific engraved time in your day that we can communicate with them, rather than staying silent and letting the tension built.
Beyond that, please be sure to do ONE thing that makes YOU feel better and/or happier … this can help us be more relaxed and move closer to our goals each day.
What do we mean? Even things as easy as those mentioned below, can make a sincere difference in our life and the way we cope with things, including our relationships.
- Learn something new that we can use in our life in some way
- Apply something new to a situation and learned from it
- Drink more water—staying hydrated is so important
- Go to sleep an hour earlier depending on our own circumstances this may be easier said than done
- Move meaningfully and with a purpose for 20 minutes, some form of exercise, walking every day not only helps us think better. It may even make us feel better!
- Make each meal a little more purposeful, a bit better, take more time to savor the food and company …maybe swap out starches for an extra serving of veggies, or invite a friend to dinner for example.
Even if the improvement is small, the power of this approach is truly big! Every little step leads to greater accomplishments if we stay positive and consistent. Having a setback, revert to the list above.
There can be an intense effect. Small successes can build confidence, shape habits, and set us up for bigger wins down the road.
So, if we ever get overwhelmed with all there is to do (and we all know we do), then this is where we should start.
Try again, think about what really needs our attention first. Focus, on ONE thing at a time, if that’s not an option take five minutes to rethink what we’re doing, do a meditation or break away from whatever it is we can’t focus on and interact with someone and maybe even ask for their input.
So many people think they need to take part in numerous things at once to be sure that it all gets done. Seriously the more we are trying to do at once, usually less gets done. Focusing on one thing can be so difficult for some. Do we really need to do so many things at once or is it they way we have convinced ourselves it must be.
Imagine countless thoughts and ideas going around we mind for hours, not quite being able to focus. Then before we know it, it is getting later. We look around, attempt to solve some things and we are no closer to our goals then we were at the beginning of the day.
Well instead of doing that, why not acknowledge the positives of our day. Whether we went to the office, didn’t finish everything we wanted but earned $500 for the day and gave it our all for eight hours or you were up most of the night, took the dogs for two walks, went to the park with the kiddos, did six loads of clothes, and finished two homework assignments, but didn’t paint the room we have wanted to forever, slow down, and stop being so hard on ourselves!
Maybe as much as that room needs to be painted, or the garage needs to be cleaned, or we have a laundry list of other things that need to be done, is there not a way that we could set up a 5–10-minute break when things seem frustrating or not working the way we thought?
Or how about that project you started but didn’t finish at the office, what if it was possible to shift the deadline, ask one of you colleagues to help out or as much as art these things sooner so as to avoid being frustrated? The point is there are other options to stressing out, but we have to be able to take a breath, step back from the situation (which is easier said than done when we are upset or worried), and maybe reanalyze your goals for the next days to come.
So many people like the quick fix, but rather than trying to do a whole bunch of things to improve the situation, we can create so many ideas to do our best and focus on ONE thing at a time that will help us reach our goals, and when needed ask for help. One modest improvement can make us feel a world of difference, but we have to let it.
To accomplish any goals, we do our best to do one thing every day that helps us feel better, happier, and more able to reach your goals.
Small achievements can build huge confidence, form positive habits, and set us up for more success down the road.
So, if we get overwhelmed with all there is to do (We know we do), remember this:
Do Our Best to Focus on ONE thing at a time and…
Trust the Process.
