Clarity & focus

by Steven D'Onofrio October 31, 2020

We are all busy individuals with a to-do list that never ends and time is something that just passes us by. Let’s work together on how we can improve our clarity and focus to make the most of what we do.

It is important to have balance and look at the things that are most important and what you value most. Think about your personality, motivators, what makes you grow, what makes you fulfilled, what makes you feel recharged.

Define balance in your life
You will be surprised how often this is overlooked. We all have our own passions or interests, and we need to be doing these things regularly enough to fill up your cup of inspiration. We need to stop looking at what everyone’s doing to make themselves feel successful, happy and what they deem is “looking after themselves”. We need to be realistic with what we want and how much we can actually do right in this moment; this is not about “settling”, but pushing for more in life!

Prioritise and start small
Don’t be discouraged by the progress of baby steps. Before we can run, we need to walk. Before you begin the day or a big task, it’s important to write down everything that needs to be done starting from the simple tasks to the more challenging. The reason is to create momentum and nothing helps build momentum better than the sum of many small wins. Completing smaller tasks will help you clear your mind for the bigger issues ahead and also help you to avoid wasting too much valuable time or find yourself procrastinating.

Put it in your schedule
One way to ensure you keep moving forward and getting things done is to work from a reliable schedule or diary. Make sure you write down every meeting, appointment, event, task or training session, otherwise you will find an excuse to skip or forget. Writing down physically helps build momentum and shows how much you are working toward something.

Declutter
I choose to manage the stress of everyday life by decluttering. Declutter your lifestyle and remove things that do not serve you. I declutter my life by getting rid of things that consume my time and energy that don't add value to my life. This can be emotional or physical. Get creative and be inspired physically with decluttering - there are literally shows on Netflix to show you how to declutter your environment whether home or work.

Tough times don’t last, tough people do
No matter how resilient or intelligent you are in life, we all have moments of stress that make us want to curl up into a ball as there is only so much we can all take. One key thing to remember is that for every setback there is a lesson or opportunity to grow and move forward. Sometimes taking a few steps back to take 5 big steps forward is what it takes to go further. Sometimes changing the angle we approach things or trying something new, challenging and different is what can be the vital tweak that was needed for success. Trust the process and be prepared to listen to helpful advice and evaluate along the way to ensure you are working smarter.

Think outside the box
Don’t be afraid to go against the grain every now and then. Try something new - a new recipe, a new outdoor activity, read a new book. This can help with some much needed focus, positive self-care and overall well-being.
I often hear a lot of men laugh at certain self help techniques such as yoga, stretching, meditation or even just talking about feelings. The perception is that the above ideas are all “not for them”, however it just may be the answer they are looking for. Be willing to look outside the box for answers and you will be amazed on how much you can find out about yourself when you do. Why not invite a friend while you’re at it?!

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