FOCUSED

 

I’ve had a hard time getting to this post.  Every time I start typing, another topic comes to mind and I get that started.  I have a string of post beginnings but none completed.  I don’t know about you, but I have several projects going on at one time.  I wouldn’t call it multi-tasking, but rather multi-doing.  I’m a multi-doer.

 My doctor once called me a Renaissance man; “a man with extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge.” (Well, mine may not be so comprehensive).

Consider the different jobs I’ve had: grocery stock-boy; steel worker; lawncare; janitor; radio disk jockey; after-school childcare worker; pastor; counselor; police chaplain; writer; author; speaker; computer consultant; blogger; and more.  I’ve gained a lot of working and life experiences.

To be honest, I’m only a Renaissance man because of YouTube.  I’m a do-it-yourselfer.  I’m willing to attempt things I’ve never done before.  When I was in graduate school, I had lean finances.  Growing up, I depended on my brother for car repairs.  Now I was far away and had to learn car mechanics myself.  So, I bought a repair manual and did my first brake job.  The word got around at school that I was a “mechanic.”  Other students started calling me to work on their cars.  I would say, “I won’t charge you, but if I need a tool to get the job done, you’ll buy it.”  I had a good start on a tool collection.

 Out-of-focus means we don’t see things clearly.  That is why I can’t stand dirty eyeglasses.  The blur makes things look fuzzy.  Now I have cataracts.  Sometimes you don’t notice that your eyesight is changing because it is a slow process.  When you put on your new glasses, what a difference.  Like the song, “I Can See Clearly Now…” 

 

How to stay focused:

1.     Stop making excuses.  I have several physical ailments.  Sometimes it provides an excuse to not finish something.  I have to ask myself, “Am I really that tired that I can’t at least do some writing?

2.    Have an accountability person.  It’s like trying to lose weight.  If you have someone who has joined you on your quest, it becomes easier.

3.    Quit looking at the big picture.  When I buy ear swabs, I buy them in bulk size.  My wife will say, “Why did you get such a large pack?”  I use several swabs a day, who knows how much she uses.  Before you know it, the mountain of swabs becomes a little hill, and then it’s time to re-order.  Buying bulk saves money, and cotton swabs don’t spoil, right? (BTW...We just opened our second, huge box of Costco cotton swabs.  I smile at my brilliance in shopping :)).

4.    Get rid of distractions. My dad was a sports nut. He would read the newspaper's sports page with the radio and TV on to different games.  He would fall asleep on the couch, so I would turn off the TV.  He would wake up and say, “Hey, I was watching that.”  “Really,” I’d say, “What is the score?”  He replied, “Never mind, turn it back on.”

5.     Is there something else contributing to the problem?  I also deal with perfectionism.  We tend to start something but may be afraid to finish it because it may not be “perfect.” 

6.    Perhaps it may be a health issue.  It may be time for a physical and medicine check.  Perhaps your doctor and prescribe something that doesn’t say, “Sleepy, dizzy,” on the bottle.

I’m glad we had this conversation today.  Now I need to put my feet to my own recommendations. 

QUESTION: How do You stay focused?  

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