Focus is a word thrown around like a basketball.
“You gotta have more focus.”
“Focus is the secret.”
“You lack focus.”
“Focus can make you a millionaire.”
Ever heard any of the above?
Focus. Focus. Focus!
What is it that makes it such a seductive word? People see it as the holy grail. Like once you get it, your life will turn around overnight.
Now there’s nothing wrong with the word itself. It’s a nice little pleasant sounding word. The real problem is the “DEFINITIONS”.
Everyone’s got their own definition of focus.
It’s like being in a laser-like state.
It’s like being in a meditative state.
It’s like being in the flow state.
One of my friends described it as being in a Himalayan cave.
And hundred more states of blah and blah.
The inability to understand that core of focus is where the real confusion lies. We never put in the effort to understand what it is. Instead we rely on the definition and meaning served to us by others.
Now pay attention. (or focus)
Focus is simply the ability to pay attention to one thing without any internal distraction.
Internal distractions can be:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Thoughts
- Boredom
- Tiredness
Or anything that makes you stop doing what you’re doing.
When you’re doing something you love, something you are passionate about, you don’t need to put in any extra effort to pay attention. You could be in the middle of a rock concert and still be able to solve math problems. That’s natural focus.
But sometimes, it’s just work. And you have to get it done.
In such cases, focus can be manufactured artificially. Because “work” is work. And it has to be done.
How to manufacture focus artificially
Now remember this, the moment you sit down to work your mind will resist it. And it will play all kinds of tricks on you to distract you from it.
For example:
- Check twitter
- Cigarette break
- Drink coffee
- Walk
- Take a nap
So to get through that initial resistance, here are a few ways:
The Environment
Close the door, cover the windows. Isolate yourself.
The above picture is my writing space. I write in the dark with just the table lamp on. So that my focus is limited to my desk. Everything else is dark.
Why do I write in a dark room?
Because there are zero distractions. The only thing that has my attention is the illuminated space on my desk.
Keep it quiet
If you live in a quiet place, great. But if you live in a noisy neighborhood, find ways to cut out the noise. You can wear a pair of noise canceling headphones.
Or if you don’t want to spend a lot, get a pair of foam ear plugs. You can get a pack of 10 for $5 that would easily last you 6 months.
That would help you to not get distracted by every little noise you hear in your environment and focus better.
The Alpha brain state
Your brain produces low frequency waves known as alpha waves. These waves are associated with high focus. You’re naturally in an alpha state when you wake up or when you’re about to sleep. To put it simply, it’s a state when your mind is feeling calm and relaxed.
Now this state can also be achieved through meditation. So before you start work, meditate for 10 to 15 minutes, it will keep you focused and less distracted.
Create a ritual
Habits may not last, but rituals do. Rituals have something sacred about them. Like you’d upset the Gods if you don’t follow it right.
Burn incense, wear your work t-shirt, sit with a cup of coffee, sharpen your pencils, meditate with your crystals, do whatever that feels right and gets you in the zone.
There could be a hundred other ways to focus, but I’m a simple man. And I like to keep things simple.
Here’s my focus (mostly writing) ritual:
- Close the door, pull the curtain and cover the windows
- Turn on the table lamp
- Place my laptop/notebook on the desk, nothing else.
- Make a cup of black coffee
- Sit at my desk
- Put in the ear plugs
- Meditate for 2-3 minutes (just focused breathing)
- Take a sip of coffee
- Start writing