It wasn't until someone asked me about a program I had just attended hours ago and I couldn't even form enough descriptive sentences that I realised something was off. I couldn't remember anything. Why would I, though, when I really wasn't present? And it wasn't the first time.
I wondered just how my focus was out of tune. How'd I go from remembering so much from a single lecture or being able to consume textbooks in due time to getting distracted so easily with not-so-great recovery. And then I realised how.
Little by little... Every time I choose to let those intrusive thoughts, unimportant notifications, and pretty much anything not urgent detail my intended course, I dismember my pillar of focus. To course-correct, it only takes being proactive.
Needless to say, focus is crucially important. Hold up a mag lens steady and long enough on a piece of wood and you could start a fire with the sun. And focus requires being intentional - making proactive decisions.
The first obvious thing I try to do maintain focus - be it conversations, meetings, study, work - is to clear out distractions, even the mental ones. But sometimes, I could sabotage myself thinking I would manage regardless.
Being honest with myself, if there are distractions that I truly could eliminate or at least suppress and then give excuses instead, it's because deep down, I really want to be distracted. Realising that I'd only be wasting my time and essence doing so, I do the needful and choose effectiveness.
Another mindful thing I do to maintain focus is to at least care about what requires my attention. I keep a mental note, and sometimes written outline of my aim, of the desired outcome. It could be anything, from being present for someone to making the most efficient use of available time to truly gain something of value.
One way I practice focus is sitting for at least an hour with a book, in a quiet space with zero gadgets. If I need to check up a new word, I use an actual dictionary. I've found that that is somehow therapeutic for me.
Reevaluating and recentering in ways like this are part what I consider as refining my lifestyle, however subtle.
Images in this post belong to me
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