Finding the Right Focus

I don’t know about all of you, but my summer has been crazy busy. And being crazy busy puts a damper on progressive creative projects like novels. Or anything for that matter. Yard work, decorating, etc. And if you have a lot of any of those things to work on, the idea of finishing any one thing can be overwhelming.

This summer, we’ve moved. We’re in the process of redoing a yard that was a disaster, also installing a pool. Also, I had two very important writing projects to complete—one to edit, and one to draft and polish. And a book to promote, a blog to keep up. Kids. Husband. Blah blah.

A lot of stuff, no? And there have been times when I’ve been completely overwhelmed, because who in the world could do ALL THE THINGS and actually finish them? No one, that’s who.

So I’ve decided that the best way to finish is to pick ONE thing and focus on it. Start with the most important thing, and focus and work and work and focus until that one thing is done. Then, not only do I have something checked off my to do list, but I feel the satisfaction of having completed an important project. Knowing I’ve done one thing makes the other things feel less overwhelming, because I know I can now pick the next important one and focus on it. And so on.

This is the way I finish things.

What about you? How do you handle overwhelming busyness? 

Five Minutes A Day

Have you ever listened to your favorite song while also reading the lyrics? It seems to me that music tends to be the truest, the most profound expression of experience and emotion available to us in short increments.

Well, okay, there is poetry too. But what is music if not poetry sung to a tune?

If you read the words as they’re sung aloud they often take on a whole new meaning. This past week I have found it to be true of my favorite Christmas songs, as well as others I listen to throughout the year.

Have you ever taken time to sit still and just listen to one song without distraction? If nothing else, it’s a great way to clear your mind and help hone your ability to focus. And the best part is it only requires 3-5 minutes out of your day.

Go now, take five minutes and try it. I’ll wait.

*hums a tune*

What did you learn? Will taking five minutes a day help you keep a calm, focused frame of mind? If you were to allow yourself this much time each day, how would your life, your job, your relationships improve?

Well. You never know until you try it, right? Here we go. Resolution number one. Allow myself 3-5 minutes of personal focus time every single day.

What’s something you’re planning that will improve your life this year?