How to Stay Focused in Crisis
Samuel Mpamugo
Digital Governance Researcher | Executive Coach | Program Monitoring & Evaluation Expert
In a crisis, staying focused can be difficult. Like many people around the world, I can attest to it. The pandemic shook global systems, creating confusion, fear, and making it difficult to plan. In this crisis, it is easy to keep changing your plans by the day because of increasing uncertainty. It can be stressful on the mind, and it is easy for people to lose focus of their goals.
Generally, people’s plans were disorganized this year, and many have had to iterate frequently to survive. Does this mean that people did not find ways to stay focused on their dreams? If yes, how did they do it? I found these three strategies useful to stay focused during this pandemic, and I will share them with you.
Set Few Key Goals: In a crisis, clarity of thought is vital. You cannot afford to have a foggy mind. One way to be clear in your thoughts is to set key goals – these are those few goals that can change your life significantly. It is that one goal that, if achieved, would change everything. When you achieve a key goal, you achieve many other goals at once. Normally, they are few.
This year, I set two key goals. I did this on purpose to help me stay focused. Hence, I can cope with the challenges caused by the pandemic. This approach helped to declutter my mind because I am not focused on many small goals. So, what are your key goals? Set one or two. Three max.
Plan Your Day: This sounds cliché, but in a crisis, a day is important. If you do not understand the value of a day, you could increase your stress levels. Now, you do not need a long to-do list for your day. What are those top three tasks that you must achieve daily? What are those few key activities that must occur to move you towards your goals? It helps to keep it simple.
Be Accountable to Someone: This has helped me immensely. Whenever I feel foggy in mind, I call up a few people to whom I am accountable. We talk through my thoughts, and by the end of our conversation, I gain a better perspective. Sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective to regain your sanity. So, who is helping you during this pandemic? And how are they supporting you? Do not walk alone – you do not have to. In a crisis, we all need support.
Photo by: Christopher Burns