Staying Focused

Today’s post prompt on “The Daily Post at WordPress.com” was:

How do you stay focused on a task or activity?

My Answer

[I dont’ know about you, but when I hear the word “focus” my mind immediately goes to the Karate Kid and I hear Mr. Miyagi pronouncing it…thus the image.  Anyway…]

It’s weird, but I stay focused by being slightly out of focus.  Let me explain.

I’m a pretty focused person.  When I set my mind to something or make a commitment, I’m all over it and finish on time and within budget.  That said, I also am a multi-tasker – to a fault at times – on most everything.

I stay focused by keeping my mind active on not only the task or project at hand, but other things as well.  I know, weird. When online, I usually have multiple windows/tasks going.  While watching TV I’m usually reading or looking at my iPhone.  While talking with my wife…OK, I reeeally try and focus there (or at least attempt to).  Operating this way keeps me fresh and, I think, often nets better results.  The thing that I learned the hard way was somehow marking or documenting the point at which I divert from my task.  I’m a huge bookmark’er, Tweet-Favorite’er, file/document highlighter’er, etc…and that helps immensely.

I know this method doesn’t work for everyone, but for me it has proven beneficial.

What keeps you focused?