Two ways to focus before starting another task

Two ways to focus before starting another task

New idea energy is electric, and I love to ride the lightning. New ideas are exciting and addictive.

But they do not help me finish and implement the ideas that I’ve already had.

In fact, it often does the opposite. I am a 70% finished kind of guy. I want this to change.

I’ve been reflecting on this problem: why do some of us struggle to finish things?

I am still exploring this inquiry, but I want to share a few things I’ve learnt so far.

Some of us need to stumble upon our own solutions, in our own time.

An expert could probably look at my workflow and point out exactly where I am stumbling.

But sometimes, I am not in the right place to listen. Sometimes, I need to suffer from the pain of my own struggles before I feel ready to change my behaviors.

This pain is often the trigger to awareness. Without it, I wouldn’t even know that there was a problem in the first place.

I’ve discovered that I need reminders to focus and reorient towards my primary tasks and goals.

These are two techniques that I’ve learnt the hard way. I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me.

Orienteering

I often need reminders to start tasks.
Or to start another task after I’ve finished the first one. Lightning only appears in a storm.

I frequently stumble during transitions between tasks. This is also known as context switching.

It has taken me awhile to realize that I need more control over my day.

I think of this as orienteering.
I want to direct my attention in whatever direction I want it to go.

Awareness that I’m stumbling is the first step.

Everybody’s workflow is different. All we can do is experiment with a technique and see if it works for us.

I’ve become reliant on lightning flashes to see the next few steps in a project.

My workflow is a storm and I need a compass to find an easier way.

Meditation has become my compass.

Let me tell you about it.

1 minute meditations

I’m learning to meditate before I switch tasks.

I keep it short and sweet. 1 minute is enough.

This miniature meditation serves as a trigger to switch modes or tasks.

For example, I always take some time in the morning to drink coffee. But when I want to start writing, I pause for a minute and focus on my breath. Then I start writing.

If you already meditate, great. Keep it up. Sometimes, I need a reminder to remember that it's a habit.

I use 1 minute meditations whenever I need to change my state of focus.

I use it multiple times throughout my working day, often at the beginning or end of a pomodoro session.

I also practice it after I finish work and want to transition out of my working day.  

In fact, I’m doing it right now to transition to the second part of this article.

Reorientation rituals

Sometimes, the best way to get back on task is to have reminders to remain focused.

Like introducing cues that remind you to focus on what you intended to do.

I’ve been enlivening my workflow by combining ritual and productivity reminders. What do I mean by this?

Let me introduce you to focus stones.

This is not an app or a productivity hack. It is an invitation to ritual. A focus stone is exactly what it sounds like, a tool to help you focus.
I’ll admit that mine is technically a fossil that is set in stone. It’s an Orthoceras (pronounced, Author-saurus…get it?). This is a sea creature that lived millions of years ago.

I find it comforting to have an ancient creature keep me company while I write.

I recall an Annie Dillard essay about a man named Larry that is teaching a stone to talk. Larry keeps a stone on his shelf.
Each day, he takes it down, unwraps it from its protective layer of untanned leather and begins the stone’s lessons. Each day, he performs a series of rituals with the stone.

What fascinates me, is that he also plans to initiate his son into this practice.
Larry is creating rituals to help him with his life. He’s infusing an object with intention. We can do this too.

We have an incredible ability to inscribe meaning onto just about anything.

Larry is dedicated to his practice and this encourages me and my experiments.
I try not to worry about how weird it may seem. If it works, it works.

My focus stone hangs out with me while I write. It often lives on top of my phone.
This also helps interrupt my behavioral patterns to check my phone.

If I want to scroll, first I have to pick up the stone and this act alone, reminds me to focus.

I’ve ritualized this process by rolling and unrolling my stone in raw canvas.

Much in the same way that I put my laptop in a protective case.

Sometimes the best way to consciously switch tasks is to set up reminders to remain focused.
Whatever form these may take.
Surround yourself with cues that remind you to focus on what you intended to do.

I have my stone. I hope this helps you find yours too.

Till next time,
Harley.