3 Quick Tips (3QT) on Finding Focus
When the world is shouting around you
Millions of people around the world are feeling disappointed and fearful at the moment. Me too, and I'm miles away from the political goings on in the US, or conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, etc (I’m a proud Australian). But, I don’t want to engage in political nonsense, word wars or slanging matches. Not today. Not tomorrow and not ever. There’s been enough of that already.
Which brings me to today's thought.
How do you keep your focus when the world is shouting so loudly around you?
I'm in the process of ghost-writing a business book for a client. If I can’t find my focus, it won't get done. Or worse, the writing will be sloppy and I'd really like to avoid that. So finding a level of focus is my only course forward today, tomorrow and all the days after to get this book done (I'm currently on chapter 7 of 12 - aka the messy middle).
So how can you find your focus when there's just so much much noise? I have spent this morning telling myself this is not my fight. I have berated myself for being too emotionally invested in an outcome I can neither control nor even have a say in. I have told myself in no uncertain terms to 'move along' and 'leave well enough alone'. To be honest, it hadn’t worked terribly well.
It was time to take some serious corrective action to avoid being sucked into a gluey hole which there was likely no escape., which would also probably destroy my day.
So I started with meditation. To be honest, even in meditation this morning, it was tough to find focus. But even a couple of seconds of meditative focus are always better than none. Although my Metta Bhavana (loving kindness prayer) was truly heart-felt this morning. I truly wished peace upon and for the entire universe because that’s what we need most of all.
That was followed by a truck load of what I affectionately call brain vomit on 750words.com because the best way I know to exorcise my demons is to write about them. To get them out and onto the page. Doing that gets them out of hiding in the dark, waiting to pounce when I least expect it. Once that was done, I'd managed to calm myself enough to reclaim a smidgeon of hope that humanity will find its way.
Humanity, by the way, isn't the province of governments, it's in us. You and I. We are the humanity the world needs and it starts with being kind to ourselves. Then our friends, partners and neighbours. The phrase charity begins at home doesn't mean take what you can. Rather, it means charity starts with us being kind to ourselves and those closest to us. Imagine if we all did that, how that would change the world.
Consumerism, social media and marketers of the world (I count myself as one of them BTW) have driven the 'me first' mindset that's currently sweeping the world. It's led us to where we all are now. A world that's scared, timid and looking for a saviour. Sorry, but no-one's coming to save you. It's just you, me and those other regular people over there. It's up to us to save ourselves and, just as importantly, help another.
So in the spirit of being kind to myself, rather than doling out more tough love, I made myself a coffee, put on some Gregorian chants which always calm a frazzled brain and spent a moment focusing on patting my dog. He's about 100 in dog years - probably not too many tail waggles left these days. But his unfailing devotion to the moment - he's especially good at delivering a telepathic I love you with his long deep stares into my eyes and tail waggles - reminds me to be here now and that there's always time to both give and receive love wholeheartedly.
And then I was able to begin work. Clear of mind. Calm and focused. Ready to face the joys of writing Chapter 7 (which I then finished).
Your 3QT for focus
So, today, tomorrow, and for all time, you can find your focus using these tips regardless of how noisy the world around you is.
Wish the world well. A Metta Bhavana prayer works beautifully, but if you've got your own way of offering loving prayer, go with that.
Get your fears, stress and emotional garbage out of your head. If you're not a writer, or someone who journals, try speaking your brain vomit into your phone. Talk non-stop, unfiltered for 10-15 minutes. Don't listen to/read it back. You'll be surprised at what comes.
Practice loving kindness in action. Find a small way to be kind to yourself and someone/something else. Be in that moment from the heart. Breathe into it. Feel into it. Be here now.
For added focus, put on some music that helps your brain focus. You know what music that is for you. It doesn't have to be Gregorian Chants. I also like the crazy metal ADHD mix from focusatwill.com and Ella Fitzgerald (although not to write to as I end up typing the lyrics).
And finally, there’s a great international community with whom you can share an hour (or 10) of focus over at CaveDay Yes, that’s an affiliate link, but I really love, yes LOVE these people so much and hang out with them day after day. Those who I’ve suggested it to, that try it, say it helps them find their focus and truly get stuff done).
From me to you, dear reader, I love you. I wish you well. You've got this - go do whatever you’ve got to do to find some focus.
Kx