Welcome back to our limited blog series, where we embark on a journey towards achieving your performance and wellness potential in every domain of your life. This week we are exploring the fourth category of the PERFoRM Score™ – Focus.
Why is Focus so crucial?
Top achievers can switch their attention at will to deeply focus on what is most important in the moment. They place their attention where it matters most (both internally & externally) in spite of any distractions or challenges they face.
In the PERFoRM Score Assessment, the Focus score measures your ability to get deeply focused, shift your attention to the right things at the right time, and regain focus when you get off track in order to be your best.
Rules to fine-tuning your Focus
1. PUT THE FOCUS ON FOCUS
Recognize that focus is a skill that can be developed and honed over time. Like any skill, it improves with practice and persistence so invest the effort it takes to develop your abilities. This starts by understanding where you are currently putting your focus when it matters most and whether or not the things you are paying attention to are helping or hindering your performance.
2. ADOPT A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
Start a regular meditation practice or engage in other mindfulness techniques to deepen your ability to focus and train your mind to stay present and attentive. A mindfulness practice can help you develop awareness of where you are placing your attention, when it is slipping, and improve your ability to redirect your focus at will.
3. LEARN TO SHIFT ATTENTION ON PURPOSE
Instead of allowing distractions to hijack your focus, learn to control when and how to switch your attention to new tasks or stimuli through attention shifting. Attention shifting is an intentional practice of moving your focus deliberately from one stimulus to another at will. Start by directing your attention on a single external object or sound until you are 100% focused on that object and then quickly ‘shift’ your attention to another external object or sound. Once shifted, put 100% of your focus on the new stimulus until you are fully focused on the new stimulus alone. Repeat the process multiple times similar to doing repetitions in an exercise routine until you feel you have complete control of your ability to move your attention between various stimuli.
4. UNDERSTAND THE TYPE OF FOCUS YOU NEED
Recognize that different tasks require different types of focus. Generally speaking our focus needs to be either broad or narrow, and either internal or external. Some tasks demand deep, sustained and internal concentration such as writing, while others may benefit from a broader, more externally oriented and flexible focus such as driving. Understand the demands of your task and adapt your focus accordingly.
5. IDENTIFY RELEVANT VS IRRELEVANT STIMULI
Learn to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information or stimuli. Often this takes only a little bit of effort to determine based on the task or goal you are pursuing. Focus only on what is essential to your goals and filter out distractions that don't contribute to your task.
6. USE YOUR EYES
Be mindful of where you direct your gaze. Understand that what you look at tends to capture your attention. Use your eyes to your advantage by intentionally looking at the task or object you want to focus on and finding ways to minimize potential distractions in your visual field.
7. TRAIN YOUR OTHER SENSES
Focus is not limited to sight alone. Develop your ability to focus by engaging your other senses such as hearing and touch. For example, listen actively when someone is speaking or focus intently on tactile awareness when doing hands-on tasks.
8. SCHEDULE DEEP WORK
Allocate dedicated time for deep, focused work during periods when you are most energized and least likely to be interrupted. This work should be critical to your goals, require your highest level of concentration, or be targeted toward learning or creativity. Treat this time as sacred as regular engagement in deep work will train your brain to more readily access deep states of focus on demand.
9. STRUCTURE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Don’t leave focus to chance, create an environment that supports your ideal performance. Minimize distractions, eliminate clutter, organize your workspace, and establish a routine that supports focused work. An optimized environment can significantly aid your ability to stay on task.
10 . TAKE BITE SIZE CHUNKS
Divide your larger goals into smaller, manageable mini-goals and define specific, achievable tasks for each of those mini-goals. Having clear objectives helps channel your focus toward what needs to be accomplished, reducing ambiguity, mental clutter and wasted efforts.
Stay in Touch
Thank you for joining us as we explore the PERFoRM Score™ and what it means for you and your performance journey. If you have not yet completed the PERFoRM Score™ assessment, we encourage you to do so here.
Stay tuned for next week's post about Resilience.
It's time to excel consistently and perform at your peak! The first release of our private beta is getting closer. Make sure you are signed up for our private beta to get early access and to get notified about the latest blog posts from One Iota.
