Personal Development and Self Improvement» accomplish

Developing an Intense Focus

blogadmin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:32:32 +0000

We all have a tendency to become side tracked. We may want to complete an important task, yet many distractions poke and prod us away from our goals. How can we keep our focus on the task as hand?

Distractions may be hard to ignore, especially when it’s a chatty coworker, a ringing phone, a demanding spouse, or many other things. Thankfully, there are some tried and true strategies we can use to put the distractions on hold and place an intense focus on our task.

Try these techniques to develop an intense focus:

Remove distractions. You can’t focus if you’re constantly checking your email, Facebook, or other time-stealers! You’ll get more done if you allow your mind to get in the groove with some peace and quiet.
- Turn off your email, close your web browsers, shut off your phone off or forward it to voicemail, and put on headphones to avoid loud noises. You’ll be glad you did!?
Remain committed. You know that you have something you should finish, but are you one hundred percent committed to seeing it through to completion? This is where you need to be honest with yourself.
- If you’re not fully committed to your task, you’re more likely to allow distractions to overtake your mind. More often than not, you’ll use distractions to create excuses and exceptions that try to justify your lack of focus.
- If you are committed, it will be easier to ignore distractions and keep your focus. This is something only you can decide.
Set a time limit. Even if the task itself doesn’t have a time limit, assign one anyway. If you have a deadline, you’ll be more apt to complete your task in a timely manner.
- Rather than giving in to the surrounding distractions, you’ll be competing against the clock to get things done on time.
Take frequent breaks. This may sound contradictory, but it actually makes a world of difference for the workaholic. If we work too long at one time, not only do we become physically tired, but our minds tire as well. This makes us more susceptible to distractions and shatters our concentration.
- Work intently for an hour and then allow yourself a 10-minute break. When you return from the break, you’ll be more focused, your mind will be clearer, and you’ll be more likely to work for another hour without losing focus.
- This strategy allows you to get more work done in a shorter time.
Use a list. Lists are wonderful tools that help you accomplish your work quicker and easier. Before beginning, write down everything you need to accomplish and then cross out each task as you complete it.
- The process of crossing things off your list is a great motivator to keep you working without distractions, plus it helps to build the momentum to get everything done.
Reward yourself for a job well done. When you’re able to stay focused on an important task, reward yourself! Just keep thinking about the big picture and your reward once you’re finished with the task at hand.
- This will keep you on target and you’ll finish as quickly as you possibly can. Everyone loves a treat for a job well done!

Remember, you’re human, too. Losing your focus is easy in an existence that’s filled with daily distractions and annoyances. However, you’ll find that you can keep an intense focus on something if you practice these techniques. Make them a habit and enjoy your rewards!

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4 Ways to Build Your Willpower

blogadmin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:04:20 +0000

Usually when we hear the word “willpower,” we relate it to losing weight or quitting smoking. Willpower is extremely helpful when trying to break those bad habits, but it can also be beneficial in other areas of your life as well.

It’s important to realize that we’re not born with willpower; it’s something we must nurture and build in ourselves. Once we strengthen our willpower, it’ll provide us an upper hand in achieving our goals. Why? Because we’ll develop an unshakeable focus and intensity in purpose!

So how do you go about building your willpower?

Here are four strategies to get you headed in the right direction:

Commitment. You must be committed to reaching your goals. If you’re not completely committed to what you want to accomplish, there’s no way you’ll be able to develop any willpower.
- To be successful in achieving your goals, you mustn’t harbor any second thoughts, excuses, or doubts. Be honest with yourself and know that this is something you truly want to see through until the end.
- Remember, just having the desire will not guarantee accomplishment. You can desire something without firm commitment, so be sure to distinguish between the two and take the appropriate actions.
Call on your inner strength. Building your willpower takes perseverance. This is a time to call on your inner strength – that extra push you need to get through the difficult times.
- You’ve made a commitment to take a journey to strengthen your willpower and accomplish your most challenging goals – this is great! The truth is, you’ll have many days of success, but there will also be days that aren’t as triumphant. It’s on those not-so-good days that you can call on your inner strength to get you back on track.
- Everyone has an inner strength and most of us have used it on more than one occasion. Trust in it and it will get you through the rough spots!
Ask for support. Building your willpower to achieve a goal is a large undertaking. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. This is why it’s so imperative that we have support during this time.
- Entrust a friend, spouse, or parent with what you’re trying to accomplish. That way, when you hit a stumbling block, you have someone you trust to get you back on the right track.
- Your support system will help you through the hard times and celebrate your successes with you.
Be consistent. If you have the willpower to stop smoking for one week, that’s wonderful and should be celebrated. But the only way you’re going to build your willpower is to do whatever it takes to avoid cigarettes today, tomorrow, and forever. Then soon enough you’ll be celebrating two weeks, two months, two years, and then forever!
- This strategy applies to any goal that you’re seriously trying to accomplish. You must be willing to keep up the positive behavior all day, every day, no exceptions, and no excuses.
- Things can only improve as you continue to build your willpower. Keep pushing yourself forward!

Willpower is a tricky concept. We all want to develop it to break a bad habit or reach a particular goal, yet in order to do so, we must be willing to go the extra mile and fully commit ourselves to our success.

If you are committed, you should be commended! Be sure to use these tips to help you build your willpower and celebrate your successes each and every day.

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I can see myself crossing the finish line victoriously.

blogadmin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:34:06 +0000

I know that I am a winner! I am sure of my success because I use effective strategies and tools to keep me motivated, pursuing my goals, until I claim my victory.

I set my goals and create action plans that set me up for success every time. I divide my goals into achievable tasks and then accomplish each task, one by one, through to the end.

If I need to invest time or money into preparing myself for my tasks, I do it happily, knowing that these preparations propel me toward the life of my dreams.

I make my goals a priority in my life and incorporate time in my schedule every single day to work on the things that lead me to victory. Knowing that each day puts me one step closer to reaching my goals brings me the motivation to forge ahead.

Failure is not an option! I know that sometimes there will be blocks in the road, but I actively seek solutions that can get me past them. I overcome my challenges and get right back on my success track.

If I feel even an inkling of self-doubt, I use my affirmations to wipe it out and replace it with confidence. If I fear a challenge, I replace my fear with the courage to meet the test head on.

I keep my passions burning with daily inspiration to stoke their fire. I use meditation to envision myself crossing the finish line and relishing my victory in all its glory.

Today, I plan to rekindle my passion to pursue my greatest goal, make an achievable action plan, and accomplish one task that puts me closer to success.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What is my greatest goal?
2. Have I made my action plan of achievable steps to get me there?
3. Am I facing a challenge? How can I overcome it?

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Change in my life

blogadmin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:40:36 +0000

My expectations come with its own eraser, so I can always make changes at will.

Change in my life is like putting on a new outfit that shows off the fresh, enhanced me.

There is nothing like the feeling of wearing a new outfit for the first time! It shows a new image of me. I am still the same person inside those new clothes, but I am rejuvenated with the new addition.

When I incorporate new changes into my life, I get that same feeling as when I wear a new outfit. The changes only enhance who I am! Even though it is still the same me, part of me is fresh and new, like wearing new clothes.

My new image shows courage to tackle new things. As humans, we tend to resist change. It takes courage and strength of character to be willing to embrace change to meet our goals or accept it when it is forced upon us by circumstance.

My new image displays creativity. I can think “outside the box” in order to accomplish what I desire. If I need to change my planned path from time to time to solve a problem or overcome a challenge, I gladly go shopping for the changes that will enhance me.

My new image reveals my passion for life. Change is an exciting part of life and it allows me to become the person I want to be. If I do not change and grow, I get as stale as old clothes. And who wants that? Not me! I welcome the freshness of change!

Today, I choose to embrace the changes that will allow the new me to sparkle. I can learn something new, adopt a positive habit that brings me joy, or solve a challenge.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I resist change, even when it can improve my life?
2. Am I comfortable with changing my path in order to achieve my goals?
3. How have changes in my life enhanced me?

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By managing the easy tasks first, I can gain momentum and self-confidence.

blogadmin — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:48:11 +0000

I can create a clear set of directions for my goals.

By managing the easy tasks first, I can gain momentum and self-confidence.

Every goal can be divided into a list of tasks. Each day, whether at home or work, includes a variety of missions to accomplish. By starting with the easy tasks and completing them quickly, I am well on my way to achieving my goals.

Completing easy tasks first builds forward momentum that sustains me. And with each success, I gain an even greater confidence in my ability. I find I’m “on a roll” and strive to maintain it as long as possible with every project.

When I get stuck on a particular item on my to-do list, I simply rearrange the remaining tasks so I can tackle some easy ones again. Once I complete a couple of the easier ones, I am off again toward success!

Momentum is an awesome force. It’s like a snowball rolling down a mountain. Once it gets going, it rolls faster and faster, getting bigger and bigger as it catapults down the mountain. Yet all it takes to get it started is one little push!

Scheduling the easy tasks first is like giving myself that one little push to get me started. Then, once I get going, I gain extra energy from the momentum. Each task I complete adds to the force that keeps me going.

Today, I choose to be like the snowball, gaining more energy and confidence as I roll through my day. I am unstoppable! Nothing can stop me from success because I know that, with my confidence and courage, I can overcome any obstacle that arises in my path.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Have I divided my goals into a list of tasks, scheduling the easy ones first?
2. Do I jump into my daily routine with some easy tasks to give me momentum?
3. Am I stuck with a particular task? What easy task can I accomplish to get me moving again?

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