How do you find focus? What’s your secret to keeping your eye on the ball? Is there more to it than just paying attention?

It’s no secret that there are a lot of distractions in the world. Everywhere you look there is something else to look at. When you go online you’re entering a battlefield for your attention.

In the midst of this forest where you can barely find a tree, lies your task at hand. Your elusive goal of the moment, that one thing that you’d most like to check off your list today.

Meanwhile, interruptions and obstacles are swarming around you like a horde of flying monkeys. Each carries a tantalizing detour that promises some sort of payoff in the form of entertainment, information, or sheer mindless pleasure.

The closer you get to your goal, the more these alluring off-ramps intrude. The degree in which you will allow them is precisely proportionate to whatever anxiety you might be feeling about the finish line. Keeping your priorities in order is a task in and of itself.

Living in today’s world can feel like inhabiting the story of the tortoise and the hare. The modern milieu wants us to be the rabbit, running around at high speed, ricocheting between this and that, but never really getting anywhere.

Meanwhile, those who can channel the tortoise and keep their blinders on are able to make steady progress towards their goals. Crossing the finish line is where the rubber of action hits the road of results.

I should know. As you might imagine, writing a weekly newsletter such as this isn’t always easy. There are always any number of shiny objects in the periphery of my vision to prolong the process.

Post-breakfast and a good stretch session, a typical morning might find me checking the weather, taking a peek at the local or international news, and scanning my inboxes for anything that needs an immediate reply.

On newsletter days, I try to keep all that at bay until at least a rough draft of these words is dumped into a document. A subsequent edit culls out the worst of my words, while giving me a chance to wise up the wordplay. Always allowing alliteration, if I may.

They say that one of the best ways to stay on track and beat procrastination is to simply tackle anything that will take less than five minutes right now. Get it over with. Don’t wait till later.

When it comes to writing a newsletter or finishing a goal or taking care of the task at hand, my mantra is ‘one thing at a time’. Much as I love multitasking, when it’s time to get stuff done, simply staying sequential is the key.

It’s a daily dance we all have to tackle, from the loftiest goals to the tiniest chore. I’ll find myself reaching for a dirty dish to clean while I’m preparing the tea pot and have to stop myself and think ’No! One thing at a time!’.

Your dance may differ, everyone has their favorite steps. Take your cues from the tortoise, who embodies peace of mind. Take it easy, take it slow, and take it one thing at a time.

Much love till next Monday!

Merci et à bientôt!

M+

ML #692

Mark Metz
Monday Love Movement Calendar