That’s focus.
We’ve all felt it from time to time, but the problem is that most of the time we aren’t focusing. Most of the time, we’re in quite the opposite mode of working—we’re easily distracted and can’t seem to settle down into the task we know we should be doing. Focus, like many things in life, is a game ofmomentum. It’s harder to get focused, but relatively easy to remain focused once you’ve pushed the ball up the hill.
I don’t usually believe in magic pills, but I do believe focus is the magic pill for productivity.
When we switch from one task to another, we end up having to regain some lost ground before we can begin again.
I’m sure you’ve probably experienced situations where you were able to work very hard, yet it seemed effortless. In those situations it often takes some time to get to that point, but once you’re there, you can really get a lot done in a short period of time
In fact, it’s pretty critical that you learn how to get focused, because most of the rest of this section will be of little help to you without the ability to stay focused. I can tell you all the productivity hacks and techniques in the world, but if you can’t sit down and focus on a task, it won’t do you much good.
As I said before, focus has its own kind of momentum. If you want to get into a focused mode, you have to realize that it isn’t an instant switch that you can flip. You’d be kind of a strange person if you could instantly flip into focus mode. I think you’d probably scare people when you sat down at your computer and in an instant your eyes glazed over as you started typing frantically.
To get into a focused mode, you have to push through the initial pain of contorting your mind to a single task. And unless your task is something you thoroughly enjoy doing, it’s pretty painful—at first. But that’s the key. You have to realize that the pain and discomfort is only temporary and doesn’t really last that long.
When I first sat down to write this chapter, I felt a burning urge to check my email, urinate, and get some coffee all at the same time—and I don’t even drink coffee anymore. My brain was doing anything it could to stop me from focusing. I had to subdue it and force my fingers to start typing.
The point is that I had to sit down and force myself to get going to get into a focused mode.
Most of the techniques I use to be productive are rooted in this backbone of productivity, reaching a point of focus. In chapter 38 we’ll talk about the Pomodoro Technique, which is a formalized way to force you to sit down and work long enough on a task to build up the momentum that will take you to focus nirvana.
Now, I may have made it seem a little easier than it is. Focusing isn’t as simple as just sitting down at the keyboard and typing. You’ve got to actively fight against the distractions that will come at you while you’re upshifting to the high gear that will send you cruising.
Before you begin a task, make sure you have done everything you can to protect yourself from interruptions—both internal and external. Silence your phone, close distracting browser windows, disable popups on your screen, and you may even consider hanging a sign up on your door or cubicle entrance that says you’re busy.
At first the focus will be forced, but eventually the momentum will build up and carry you through. Your goal is just to survive the first 5 or 10 minutes. If you can make it to 10 minutes, chances are you’ll have enough momentum to continue. At that point, even a minor distraction will be unlikely to break your focus.
