“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV

Over the past two years, I used the unsettling times of the pandemic as a time of reflection and goal setting. As the world seems to be reopening and our lives are beginning to reclaim some form of normalcy, I wondered how I would maintain my focus and not be distracted by the trappings of this busy world. I decided as a sacrifice for the Lenten season to forego social media (other than posting a few birthday wishes). It is unbelievable how much time one can actually spend scrolling on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms. Oftentimes, we fill our lives with many good-intended activities; however, these good-intended activities may become a diversion from our actual purpose or calling in life.

Today, on my 56^th birthday, as I reveled in a day of self-care, opened cards, read Facebook birthday wishes and text messages, and answered phone calls where friends and family sang unique renditions of “Happy Birthday,” I reflected on my many accomplishments and also my missteps in life. With both, they have offered valuable life lessons and wisdom. During the past few months, I have been contemplating the next chapter of my life and what that would look like for me. During this time of contemplation, I have remained focused as I am determined to accomplish the goals I have set for myself not allowing any distractions to throw me off course.

In an October 16, 2019 article titled “Need Help Staying Focused?” Sara Lindberg offers the following 10 tips:

1. Get rid of distractions. Eliminate distractions such as phone notifications and setting boundaries with others.
2. Coffee in small doses. Taking advantage of caffeine’s cognitive enhancing properties is to consume it in moderation.
3. Practice the Pomodoro technique. This timing method helps you train your brain to stay on task for short periods of time.
4. Put a lock on social media. You may want to consider an app that blocks social media.
5. Fuel your body. To keep your brain focused, your energy levels up, and your emotions on an even keel, make sure you don’t delay or skip meals.
6. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep most nights of the week can negatively impact both your short and long-term memory, as well as your ability to concentrate.
7. Set a SMART Goal. SMART stands for:
   • Specific. What exactly needs to be done?
   • Measurable. How will you track your progress?
   • Achievable. Is it realistic? Can it be done by the deadline?
   • Relevant. How does it fit the overall plan or bigger goal?
   • Timely. When does it need to be done?
8. Be more mindful. Being more mindful and recognizing when your attention starts to drift, you can quickly bring your focus back to where it needs to be.
9. Make a to-do list. Having a written plan of action can increase productivity.
10.  Focus on similar tasks. Pick tasks that are similar, group them together, and do one at a time.

Are you having difficulty maintaining your focus? Have you identified your distractions? I recommend carving out several minutes of quiet time during your week and meditate on these questions. After your quiet time, I am sure you will be able to identify the culprit that may be robbing you of your focus. As it is revealed to you, I would love to hear your comments.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter weekend!

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