Finding Focus- Part Two, The 15 Minute Focus

Sunday, March 9, 2008, by Leigh Anne

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“The things that make you feel, think, laugh”

Last week I introduced you to my new blog post category - “Nest” with a fun idea of planting your own Easter grass.

Today I introduce my second new category - “Inspire”. On Monday’s I will be sharing ideas and tips that have inspired me and that hopefully will inspire you. The majority of them will have something to do with balancing a job/business or just life with a family but you never know what may inspire me during the week!

Before I share this week’s idea I want to explain why I chose the above picture to represent my “Inspire” posts.

One of my favorite things to do is to sit in my kitchen or my office and watch the hummingbirds out in my garden. They are amazing little birds.

Did you know that not only can they fly vertical and horizontal but they are also the only bird who can fly backwards. They are able to hover midair as their wings flap 15-80 times a second! They amaze me.

So I chose a picture of a hummingbird in the garden - it inspires me and I hope that my “Inspire” posts will inspire you!

You may remember that last week I shared with you a disorder I suffer from - A.A.A.A.D.D. -

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

Today I will share a strategy I use when I am really having a hard time focusing.

A Catch Up Day is a great idea when you are really feeling overwhelmed with all those unfinished projects and having a hard time staying focused long enough to complete any of them. But sometimes a Catch Up Day is just not in the picture, so here is another strategy you can use to help you focus on a project that needs to get done!

The 15 Minute Focus

When you don’t have a whole day to devote to those unfinished projects use the 15 Minute Focus. I found that I can accomplish just about anything in 15 minute increments.

I have cleaned and organized my garage, weeded the garden, gotten caught up on my scrapbooks, sewn a quilt and organized every room in my house by using this technique!

I have learned that you can suffer through anything for 15 minutes (and longer if a new baby is the result of your efforts!)

So what job have you been putting off and dreading? Is it cleaning the garage, getting those photos into an album or something else?

The trick that really makes this technique work though is that you only do it for 15 minutes. I use a kitchen timer to make sure I don’t work for more than 15 minutes. It is important that you don’t think “Hey I’m on a roll, I’ll just keep going.”

The problem with that is that next time you need a 15 minute focus you will say to yourself, “I can’t do this because I don’t have 30 -45 minutes.” Only work for 15 minutes at a time - NO MORE!

You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes of FOCUSED time. Allow no distractions, no phone calls, etc. Set a timer!

Tell your family that they are not allowed to talk to you - lock yourself in the room if you have too. I tell my kids “Unless there is blood or you are not breathing - LEAVE ME ALONE!

(Those of you with younger children will want to make sure another responsible adult is supervising the children!)

So give it a try and let me know how it goes. Let me know what you are able to accomplish during your 15 Minute Focus.

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