Do you have trouble focusing? Are you constantly getting sidetracked and find yourself checking your e-mail or surfing the web when you should be working?

I know exactly how you feel!…

Over the years, I have tried countless ways to help myself stay focused. Anywhere from CD’s to vitamins; I’ve even tried types of meditation. Nothing seemed to work.

Then I came across some great tips in a book I was reading. It might not be perfect for you. But it has drastically helped me stay more focused. And there are three great things about it…

1. It’s free!

2. It’s incredibly simple to use.

3. You can start doing it right now!

It’s a proven system that has worked time and time again. I highly encourage you to apply these principles and to use this four step focus process the next time you need to get work done…

1. Tell your mind where it’s headed

I’m guessing that chances are that you already tell your mind where it’s headed. But let’s give a little more detail about this…

If your task at hand is to complete a project, tell yourself “I need to complete this project!” It’s hard for your mind to go anywhere if you don’t know where it’s going!

It’s always a good idea to have some idea of what the finish line will look like. Make sure you have a reason why you are putting yourself through all of this hard work!

2. Assign a timeline

This is by far the most underrated step in the focus process. I myself am constantly forgetting about this one. Here’s why it’s so important…

If your mind doesn’t have a specific time it needs to be completed, it has no way of applying itself. It needs to be given the hour and minute at which the project at hand must be completed. This provides that tiny bit of “good stress” which allows you to work much harder and faster.

Imagine if you were given three tasks that you needed to do. Now, if your life depended on it, you could probably get them done in about 4-5 hours. However, more realistically it would probably take you a full business day of 8 hours.

If you were told that these three tasks absolutely had to be done by the end of the day or they would be completely useless, chances are you would have them stapled and ready to turn in at the end of the day.

Now imagine that you were given the same three tasks, but this time you were told that you had all of the time in the world to get them done.

What do you think would happen?

More then likely, you wouldn’t have the three tasks done by the end of the day. You might not even have them done at the end of two days!

This type of thing happens all of the time. Even with myself as I mentioned earlier. If you want to reach peak focus, you absolutely must have a deadline to complete your tasks. There’s no other way around it. You need to have a reason to work hard and working against the clock is the best way to do so.

3. Make your mind oblivious to detours

This is a vital part of the focus process that few people take advantage of or even consider.

Especially in the online world that we live in, distractions are almost a way of life. We are constantly getting e-mail after e-mail that gets us off track and has us wasting precious hours.

You absolutely must eliminate all distractions if you intend to stay focused. That means unplugging the Internet if you need to. If you are working at your desk, it also means getting everything off of it except for what is needed for your project.

You give yourself the best chance to focus if you only have one of two options…

1. Work on the project.
2. Sit there and do absolutely nothing.

Don’t give yourself the third option of checking your e-mail for two minutes or checking the news headlines. If you really want to focus, give yourself no choice but to either work or sit there bored to tears.

Another thing you can do (and don’t take this tip lightly) is to cup your hands around your eyes. No, I didn’t say over your eyes! I said around them.

This blocks out any distractions that you have around you. Whether it be the people walking by or anything else that may get you off course. Cupping your hands is the best way possible to eliminate these distractions.

This works especially great when you are reading. Cup your hands so that the only thing you can see is the book and nothing else. Give yourself tunnel vision and you will greatly improve your focus.

4. Keep yourself motivated

I realize that working and sticking with a project can sometimes be difficult. Especially when it’s one that doesn’t interest you very much. But sometimes you need to find a way to keep yourself motivated in order to get it over with.

I’m a strong believer in the five minute test. Briefly explained, it’s when you are having a hard time getting started on a project, simply tell yourself “I will work on this project for five minutes. If after five minutes I still don’t want to do this, I will quit.”

The hardest part of any project is getting started. And the five minute test is a great way to get the engine running.

Another often overlooked way to stay motivated is by using positive affirmations. And I’ll go one better by suggesting that when you use positive affirmations, first say your name.

Now, I’m not asking you to start talking in the third person to people. You can do this in your head and nobody will ever know!

A good example of a positive affirmation would be “[insert name], get this done now!” Or try his, [insert name], you need to get this done by 10:30.” It’s clear. It’s concise. And it will get your mind’s attention I guarantee it!

You can do this without saying your name first, but saying your name makes it that much more effective. The reason is that we all have a very unique reaction when we hear the sound of our name. Think about when you are at the mall and you hear your name being called. You immediately stop what you are doing and start looking around. The sound of your name is the sweetest sound in anyone’s language. It grabs your attention every time!

This is what you want with positive affirmations. You want to get your own attention so that you can tell your mind what to do.

I realize this probably sounds silly to you. I know because I thought it was very silly when I first heard it. But every time I have tried it, it has worked very effectively for me. Just keep that in mind.

Conclusion

Apply these four steps the next time you want to stay focused. Make a note card so you don’t forget them. Especially the first three. Here’s what your note card should look like…

1. Tell my mind where it’s headed.
2. Give myself a specific time for completion.
3. Make my mind oblivious to detours.
4. Use positive affirmations and the five minute test to stay focused.

I know that if you apply these four principles, you will greatly increase your ability to focus. You will get more work done and your confidence in yourself will grow with each passing day.

I’m probably the most unfocused person there is. But when I actually remember to use the four steps, I have no trouble getting things done. Take this article for example. I started at 7:10 and I said, “Ryan, get this done by 8:30.”

Task completed at 8:24.

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