You Can Concentrate!
Magically Improve Your
Ability to FOCUS
By Sam Horn,
America’s Concentration
Coach
When TV newscaster Diane Sawyer was asked the secret to her
success, she said, "I think the one lesson I've learned is there is no
substitute for paying attention."
Are you thinking, "I agree, but how can we improve our
ability to focus and maintain attention --no matter what?" These five
FOCUS tips can help you concentrate better -- whether you're
working in a busy office, studying at school, playing a sport, or trying
to finish a project.
F= Five More Rule:
There are two kinds of people -- those who have learned how to work
through frustration, and those who wish they had. From now on, if you're
in the middle of a task and tempted to give up --just do FIVE MORE. Read
FIVE MORE paragraphs. Write FIVE more sentences. Work FIVE MORE
minutes. Get FIVE more first serves in.
Just as
athletes build physical stamina by pushing past the point of
exhaustion, you can build mental stamina by pushing past the
point of frustration. Just as runners get their second wind by not
giving up when their body is tired, you can get your "second mind" by
not giving up when your brain is tired. Continuing to concentrate when
you’re tempted to quit is the key to S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G your attention
span and building mental staying power.
O=One Think At a
Time:
Samuel Goldwyn said, "If I look confused, it's because I'm
thinking." Feeling scatter-brained? Overcome perpetual preoccupation
with the Godfather Plan -- make your mind a deal it can't refuse. Yes,
the mind takes bribes. Instead of telling it NOT to worry about
something (which, ironically, causes
your mind to think about the very thing it's not supposed to think
about!); assign it a single task with start-stop time
parameters.
For example, "I will
think about that credit card debt when I get home and have a chance to
add up my bills. For the next thirty minutes from 1-1:30 pm, I will give
my complete focus to practicing this presentation so I am eloquent and
articulate when pitching this proposal to our VIP clients."
Still
can't get other concerns out of your
head? Write them down on your to-do list so you're
free to forget them. Recording worrisome obligations means you
don't have to use your brain as a "reminder" bulletin board, which means
it can give undivided attention to your top priority task.
C= Conquer
Procrastination:
Don't feel like concentrating?
Are you putting off a task?
That's a form of procrastination. R. D. Clyde said, "It's amazing how
long it takes to complete something we're not working on.”
Next time you're about to postpone a responsibility ask yourself, "Do I
have
to do this? Do I
want
it done
so it's not weighing on my mind and making me feel guilty? Will it be
any easier later?"
*****************************
People who have seen
this article have also shown interest the products below.
Go With the Flow” so you lose yourself in
your work CD... (ConZonetration)
$20.00
ConZentrate
Book must read.
(St. Martin’s Press, 351 pages)
$14.95
What’s Holding You Back? (St. Martin’s
Press, 335 pages)
$14.95
Innovation Information
