Moving from Scattered to Sustained thinking

Scenario One: I am walking down a path. I have limited time to get to my destination. I am determined and keen to get to the end. Once there I will feel a sense of achievement and reward.

Scenario Two: I have some free time. I choose to go out to my local woods. I think about taking a route I have not taken before. I enjoy looking at my surroundings. I pay attention to the sunlight in the trees. I return home feeling calm and content.

Each scenario requires a different approach. In Scenario One, if I start to drop my pace, wander from the main path, get distracted and spend too much time looking at the scenery – then I will not reach my destination in the allotted time. Also, my sense of satisfaction reduces because wandering does not match the needs of the assignment – which is task focused and time-bound. In Scenario Two, the whole purpose of the outing is to relax, to engage with nature, to slow down my thinking and to take my time. If I were to march through the woods with my head low looking at my watch constantly I would not be fulfilling the purpose of a restful contemplative time.

The first path represents our tasks, our projects and our plans. The second path is our valuable rest time. What happens with many of us is that we mix the two together and we find ourselves multi-tasking, scattered and frustrated. It seems like freedom to dip in and out of tasks, and pick and choose what to focus on, or allow ourselves some distraction in the name of freedom. What actually happens is the satisfaction levels drop because making progress is a key energiser in motivation.

By allowing ourselves to be distracted in Scenario One, we are training our brains to pay less attention and to lose focus. It is a generational and cultural pandemic. I struggle with it daily. Even in writing this – the actual topic I am addressing – I notice how I dart between scenarios.

Micro rests while on the task path are necessary and healthy. What I am talking about is having a butterfly mind that flits from task to task in the name of productivity. In the end the lack of coherence and flow does our brains a disservice and leaves us mentally worn out and emotionally dissatisfied.

I know that keeping promises to myself raises my self-esteem. I also know that not completing a task when I have purposed to in a particular time drops it. I feel I am letting myself down. So when I purpose to finish a task and then half way through feel the pull of another “equally important task,” I want to choose to train myself to resist the desire to move towards the other task that may momentarily feel more appealing and quicker to accomplish; knowing that in keeping my focus I am rewiring my brain towards a more satisfying and productive way of working.

How to Get More Done from Doing Less

I confess that the following tips for developing focus and productivity are a work in progress for me. What I can say is that when I do choose to implement these strategies; my mood rises, my productivity expands and my sense of achievement is rewarded.

  1. Decide Your Top Three
  • Write down your top three priorities for the day (not a long to-do list).
  • Protect time for those three before you handle minor tasks and messages.
  • Do your most important task first, before your energy gets depleted.
  1. Use the Later List

Saying no is essential if you want to focus on less.

  • Keep a Later list of tasks and ideas that are good, but not for now.
  • Review this list weekly and decide what should move into your priorities.
  1. Limit Active Projects

Too many active projects guarantees less progress.

  • Decide how many projects you can meaningfully move forward at once (e.g. 1–3).
  • When you finish a current project, move one from the Later list, rather than starting something new on impulse.
  1. Frame Your Focus
  • Choose one task and set a timer (e.g. 25–50 minutes).
  • During that time, remove distractions: silence notifications, close extra tabs, clear your desk.
  • Commit to staying with that one task until the timer ends.
  • Take a short break, then repeat with the same task until it’s completed or a logical milestone is reached.
  1. Review and Release
  • Use small pockets of unscheduled time to think, reflect, or review rather than to cram more tasks in.
  • Notice which activities drain you and which replenish you; protect some time for replenishing habits.
  • Release what is not necessary to complete right now or ever.
  1. Celebrate the steps
  • Celebrate what you complete. This helps the brain to recognise success, and builds progress instead of feeling like you a constantly on a hamster wheel.

Transformational Questions:

Core mindset shifts:

  • From “How can I fit this in?” to “Does this deserve my focus?”
  • From “I should do everything” to “I will do the essential few things well.”
  • From “I’m busy” to “I’m focused.”

 

My Standing at the Crossroads coaching package provides the opportunity for you to take time to discover elements of change and transition and recognise hurdles to your destination. I offer the support and framework you need to consider all aspects of a decision resulting in clarity and confidence. Crossroads Coaching brings your unique path into focus and raise your confidence in the choices you make. Do reach out to me so I can join you on your journey.

If you have found benefit from reading this, please share with your friends and network.

If you would like to explore this further in a coaching context please contact Anna at digdeepdreambig@gmail.com

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