Focus

After a lovely weekend of rest, long walks and leisure, I woke up on Monday morning with the following alarming thoughts:

• Why is it so grey outside?
• Where has my routine gone?
• I am not doing enough, I'm so lazy 
• Business is moving too slow man 
• I've got to start posting more content, i'm missing out

So I stopped. Did my usual morning routine, 16 minutes of meditation (to see why I do 16 minutes specifically, watch this video), prayed, picked up my journal and started writing. 30 minutes later or so, it was like I was a different human being, feeling totally peaceful, ready to seize the day and full of joy.

Why am I telling you this? 

"Where your attention goes, your energy flows"

Attention is key, especially in a culture where EVERYTHING is trying to grab your attention, literally everything. Your phone and all it's apps, your family, your friends, the TV, the fridge (those who walk into their kitchen 15 times a day even when they're not hungry will know what I mean) and many other things. To add to this, because our routines and normal structure has changed due to the lockdown, you might have lost your routine and the feeling of being in control. This doesn't mean you need to lose your mind too, so make a conscious effort to pay attention to what you're paying attention to. Here's how: 

1. Be quiet. Pick a time in the day where you just be quiet, find a quiet place at home, put all distractions away and just listen to what's going on inside your head. If your thoughts are the step before your actions, and your actions create your life, you need to make sure you're thinking the right thoughts. 
2. Do work that matters. When you're writing out your to-do list, pick at least 1 or 2 tasks each day that actually matter. Tasks that you care about, tasks that are going to add value to someone else's life, tasks that give you energy and inspiration.
3. Challenge yourself. I'm listening to a book called Deep Work by Cal Newport at the moment (you can listen to it on youtube here), and he essentially talks about the importance of putting away distractions to do meaningful work, in this context 'meaningful' can be defined as doing work that is mentally stimulating and challenging. So I encourage you to take the time out and ask yourself, what am i going to do or learn today that will challenge and stimulate me. It doesn't have to be complicated, maybe you're going to write a blog, watch a Ted talk, do a puzzle, it's totally up to you, as long as it stimulates and challenges. 

Remember the question is, where is your attention? Because if your attention is on yesterday or tomorrow, it will always produce worry and anxiety, but if your attention is in the present moment, it will produce peace and quality in your work. 

Let me know how you get on with these tips.

Peace and love

Carl