ReportWire

Tag: Focus

  • 5 Books That Will Change The Way You Think About Being an Effective Leader | Entrepreneur

    5 Books That Will Change The Way You Think About Being an Effective Leader | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Innovation has become synonymous with success for modern business leaders. Industry landscapes shift faster than ever due to technological leaps, and leaders must quickly adapt to better meet the challenges of today and tomorrow alike.

    While real-world experience is invaluable to gaining knowledge specific to your field, I have found that reading the right books can rapidly transform my perception — and ultimately enhance my ability to lead teams through even the most challenging circumstances.

    As an estimated four million new books are released annually, it can quickly become a slog of a job in itself to find the gems among the rubble. The following books challenged my perception of innovation and left me a more effective leader. The information within them can improve anyone’s ability to innovate and steer their brand toward true and lasting success.

    Related: How to Tap Into Innovation, the Most Essential Part of Your Entrepreneurial Journey

    1. ‘Deep Work‘ by Cal Newport

    For a team to fully flourish and innovate, they must first find the ability to focus deeply. This is easier said than done in the age of distractions, though. Since 2000, the average adult attention span has plummeted by 25%, leaving it at a paltry 8.25-second average.

    “Deep Work” steps in to challenge conventional norms about productivity and reevaluate habits, communication and accessibility. Newport leads the reader through how to best approach complex problems that require long periods of focus to overcome.

    All modern teams face significant obstacles between themselves and performing their best work. This book provides a framework to clear the mind and truly focus on what matters in the moment, creating the best setting possible for innovation to occur.

    Related: 3 Proven Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus In 14 Days

    2. ‘Shoe Dog‘ by Phil Knight

    Sometimes, the best way to learn to lead isn’t from straightforward advice but by following the story of someone who experienced unprecedented success. “Shoe Dog” chronicles the rise of Nike from the early sixties into the digital age. From humble origins to an annual revenue of almost $19 billion, Knight led Nike with a series of daring, innovative moves that bucked the trends of his time.

    His choices and ability to lead led to the creation of an iconic brand recognizable around the world, and the lessons from this rise are readily applicable beyond the footwear world. If you’re looking for a book about how to succeed and lead with grace, then “Shoe Dog” is a near-perfect fit.

    3. ‘Going On Offense: A Leader‘s Playbook for Perpetual Innovation‘ by Behnam Tabrizi

    Far too often, after a business achieves initial success after early innovation, it rests on its laurels. This gives competitors time to catch up while their lead diminishes, squandering an opportunity to cement themselves at the top of their industry.

    In “Going on Offense: A Leader’s Playbook for Perpetual Innovation,” Tabrizi outlines exactly how to not just innovate once but to ingrain creativity throughout your business. For businesses looking to regain their innovative stride and reclaim their spot at the top of their industry, Tabrizi’s work is essential reading.

    Based on a comprehensive seven-year study that covers trends of industry leaders like Apple, Facebook and Amazon, Tabrizi’s work gives the precise knowledge base and actionable insights modern leaders need to continually innovate and improve past initial success. There are few works as fitting or relevant for those looking to set themselves and their team up for long-term, sustainable innovation and success.

    Related: How to Use Entrepreneurial Creativity for Innovation

    4. ‘The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses‘ by Eric Ries

    This book provides a methodology for entrepreneurs to create and manage startups effectively. It emphasizes the importance of experimentation, customer feedback and rapid iteration and advocates for the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which is then tested with customers to gain real-world data and insights. The concept of “validated learning” is central, encouraging entrepreneurs to gather data as quickly as possible and make data-driven decisions.

    The business model canvas helps entrepreneurs refine their business models, while customer development focuses on understanding the target market through continuous interaction. Agile development advocates for a flexible and iterative approach to product development.

    Through real-life examples like Dropbox and IMVU, the book demonstrates how startups have successfully applied their principles to achieve innovation, growth, and market success. Overall, The Lean Startup is a valuable guide for entrepreneurs navigating the uncertain landscape of innovation and seeking to build sustainable and successful businesses.

    5. ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People‘ by Sean Covey

    Both positive and negative habits shape every decision and day throughout our lives. In this classic read, Covey systematically notes how to view your personal habits with objectivity so you can then improve them and become an easier individual to work with.

    While some of the concepts within, like “Win-Win,” might seem old hat at this time, there’s a reason this book has maintained relevance and steady sales since the 80s. It’s a timeless approach to accepting responsibility not for yourself but for how you interact daily with others. Covey provides a proven system that doesn’t just lead to efficient productivity but more effective leadership skills that work under virtually any conditions.

    Related: 11 Proven Habits of Highly Innovative People

    A process of continual improvement

    A quality book can be a transformative experience that imparts the lessons of a lifetime within the few hours it takes to read. The advice from these industry pioneers leaves a reader with a more nuanced understanding of both business relationships and their personal ability to lead.

    Give them a read, and I’m confident you will find relatable insights that can help further fuel your ability to innovate and thrive.

    Lucas Miller

    Source link

  • Your Phone’s Sheer Presence Is Draining Your Brain

    Your Phone’s Sheer Presence Is Draining Your Brain

    Our brain is only able to retain a certain amount of information at any particular moment—this is called our “cognitive capacity.” Different cognitive tasks require different amounts of our brain’s cognitive capacity. 

    Our cognitive abilities and restraints are determined by the availability of our attentional resources—such as working memory (i.e., the amount of information we can mentally hold at any given time) and fluid intelligence (i.e., the ability to solve new problems). 

    The thing is, attentional resources are limited, and using them for one cognitive task leaves fewer available for other tasks (and, in turn, reduces available cognitive capacity). Given the overwhelming abundance of information at our fingertips and our brains’ limited capacity to process that information, we need to be incredibly selective with how we’re allocating our attentional resources. 

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • This Simple Habit Can Improve Focus & Concentration, Study Finds

    This Simple Habit Can Improve Focus & Concentration, Study Finds

    A recent study from New York University1 published in Nature Scientific Reports found that doing pleasurable activities (like listening to music and smelling perfume) during mentally engaging tasks can improve cognitive performance.

    Researchers measured cognitive performance using a working memory test called the n-back test. They asked participants to take this test while wearing a MINDWATCH device. MINDWATCH is a noninvasive wearable designed to measure electrodermal activity (EDA), blood pressure, body temperature, brain activity, and other physiological measures of focus.

    Participants took the working memory test while exposed to pleasurable stimulants (music, coffee, and perfume), as well as without them.

    The MINDWATCH algorithm determined the stimulants triggered increased “beta band” brain wave activity—a state associated with peak cognitive performance.

    Researchers found that music had an even greater effect than caffeine, followed by perfume. They tested three types of music—energetic music, relaxing music, and AI-generated tones that fit participants’ preferences—and found that energetic music had the greatest effect.

    This study suggests that simple pleasures such as surrounding yourself with favorable scents or enjoying some upbeat music while completing a task might help you maintain focus. 

    Hannah Frye

    Source link

  • Citicoline May Slow Cognitive (& Even Reverse) Cognitive Decline

    Citicoline May Slow Cognitive (& Even Reverse) Cognitive Decline

    Over the course of a year, 81 people with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) or MCI and vascular risk factors took one gram of citicoline daily. Researchers used a variety of validated tests to assess a person’s cognition at the beginning and end of the study. 

    At the end of the study, folks with SCC (self-reported feelings of confusion or memory loss) showed significant improvements in language and memory tests. 

    And people with MCI showed significant improvements in total scores for areas like memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills4 (like buttoning a shirt or making a bed).

    What’s even more impressive is that 12 people with MCI—which remember is diagnosable cognitive impairment—reverted to SCC at the end because they no longer met the criteria for MCI. 

    A downside to this study though is that there was no control group (everyone received the supplement). So we don’t know how citicoline compares to no additional cognitive support. 

    Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN

    Source link

  • The Mood-Lifting, Energizing Effects Of mbg’s Focus Supplement*

    The Mood-Lifting, Energizing Effects Of mbg’s Focus Supplement*

    Since college, I’ve gone from coffee to black tea to green tea, searching high and low for my perfect caffeinated match. To this day, I still utilize caffeine to help promote focus, energy, and concentration, but I’ve added an additional compound to my tool kit: L-theanine.* 

    A potent bioactive found in black tea, green tea, and certain types of mushrooms, L-theanine works synergistically with caffeine to promote focus, energy, and concentration.* It also promotes a calming effect and overall mood support—a “focused zen,” if you will.* 

    I discovered L-theanine’s effects when I moved to Hawaii and started drinking matcha. While I’ve grown to love the earthy, umami flavor of matcha, it wasn’t the taste that won me over. Thanks to L-theanine, I enjoyed all the focus and concentration benefits of the caffeine in matcha without any of the jitters or the dreaded caffeine crash I knew all too well in my coffee-drinking days.

    I had stumbled upon a whole new world of opportunities. While L-theanine is often associated with matcha and other green teas, some smart nootropic supplements (i.e., supplements that promote cognitive function) also include this naturally occurring compound in their formulas to soothe the central nervous system and support brain performance.* When paired with caffeine, the synergistic cognitive effects are unparalleled, something I have experienced firsthand.*

    According to studies published in Nutritional Neuroscience, I’m not the only one who’s felt the cognitive benefits of this dynamic duo. A 2008 study showed that when combined, L-theanine and caffeine helped folks tackle cognitively demanding tasks with speed and accuracy and made them less susceptible to distraction.* Similarly, a 2010 study found that the compounds also worked together to significantly enhance alertness and the ability to focus.*

    With all these incredible benefits in the back of my mind, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that mindbodygreen was launching a focus supplement with an array of nootropic botanicals that included this strategic duo: plant-origin caffeine and the bioactive L-theanine.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • This Easy Hack May Be The Key To Better Brain Health & Energy

    This Easy Hack May Be The Key To Better Brain Health & Energy

    Beverage goblins, unite.

    Jamie Schneider

    Source link

  • The Supplement That Helps An Executive Editor Excel At Work

    The Supplement That Helps An Executive Editor Excel At Work

    I feel an immediate difference taking focus+. The noticeable pick-me-up from the instant-release caffeine (from whole coffee fruit) paired with the sustained-release caffeine (from green coffee beans) makes for what one can only call a calm clearheadedness.*

    Unlike after my second cup of pour-over coffee, I don’t get that jittery feeling or dreaded afternoon crash, and perhaps most importantly, I’ve seen no impact on my sleep. 

    Before, I oscillated between hyperfocus and lethargy; but with focus+, I feel a maintained level of productivity—something I never thought I’d be able to tap into. It’s like the concentration bandwidth I have is now evenly spread out throughout the day, as opposed to short, unreliable bursts of completing tasks. 

    When an email pops up, I’m able to stay on task, returning to my inbox only after I’ve completed what I was working on. I plow through my to-do list with more efficiency and thoughtfulness. As a result, my days are less stressful.

    Hannah Margaret Allen

    Source link

  • 5 Things That Can Help People With ADHD (& 4 That Can Hurt)

    5 Things That Can Help People With ADHD (& 4 That Can Hurt)

    Some lifestyle habits—like increasing your omega-3 intake, optimizing your neurotransmitter levels with natural light and cold showers, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in physical activity—can help reduce ADHD symptoms, such focus, attention, and executive function difficulties. Conversely, too much screen time, failing to get enough sleep, consuming food dyes, and living in clutter can make them worse. 

    The key is making small, consistent changes to daily habits. With the right tools and routines, individuals with ADHD can support healthy brain function and improve their overall well-being.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology | Entrepreneur

    How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology | Entrepreneur

    Ben Angel, bestselling author of Unstoppable (Entrepreneur Press® 2018), CLICK, Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business, and Flee 9-5, is Australia’s leading marketing authority. Founder of benangel.co, a site dedicated to providing entrepreneurs advanced online marketing courses and education, Ben provides easy-to-apply and even easier-to-understand strategies for reaching new customers with ease.

    Ben Angel

    Source link

  • This Helps Me Focus & Get Work Done In Noisy Coffee Shops

    This Helps Me Focus & Get Work Done In Noisy Coffee Shops

    For example: Last semester, I was working on a seven-page paper during finals. When I’m writing, it’s usually really hard to focus with people talking around me. But I was getting this paper done and feeling really good about it.

    A few hours later, I looked around and realized that people were near me. That’s how effective focus+ is at helping me tune out surrounding stimuli—I didn’t even realize people were there because I was in the zone with my work. 

    The L-theanine helps reduce my susceptibility to distractions1, while the instant- and sustained-release caffeine help increase mental alertness and attention2.* Translation? With focus+, I’m able to ignore everything going on around me and be my most productive.*

    I’ve noticed that it’s much easier to be present and concentrate during my classes and lectures too—especially the early ones. When I take focus+ before my 9 a.m., I feel more alert and engaged.*

    Tatum Chamberlain

    Source link

  • The Caffeine Guide: Sources, Benefits, Side Effects & More

    The Caffeine Guide: Sources, Benefits, Side Effects & More

    You can also consume caffeine in supplements, either on its own or combined with other nootropic ingredients. The latter multi-ingredient design can be especially beneficial, given you pick a formula that supports overall brain power and goes beyond the typical (and transient) energy “boost” approach.

    For example, in mbg’s focus+, caffeine is paired with bioactives and botanicals that support the energy of cells, mind, and body (i.e., guarana, Panax ginseng, L-theanine, and vitamin B12), resulting in sustained focus and vitality.*

    Just like with the food and beverage sources of caffeine listed above, it’s also important to carefully consider your caffeine source when it’s delivered in a supplement.

    Ferira advises turning the product over and reading the Supplement Facts panel: “Do you see any indication that the caffeine is derived from a plant source, like a specific species of coffee (Coffea), tea (Camellia), guarana, or some other quality-sourced plant?” If not, she says it could be the cheaper synthetic variety of caffeine instead.

    Sharing further intel, Ferira explains that, “you should also expect the supplement brand to identify the plant parts used to provide the caffeine. In other words, is this an extract of the whole coffee cherry8, the coffee beans, or green tea leaves? Transparency is key here.”

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • How to Become Unstoppable in Your Performance | Entrepreneur

    How to Become Unstoppable in Your Performance | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The modern world makes it very difficult for entrepreneurs to focus. Do you agree?

    In my line of work as a coach and mentor, the ways I can create an audience and engage with people are many! So many, in fact, that I have to say “no” to options more than I say “yes.”

    Then when I do say “yes,” I must have the follow-through to complete what I’ve started.

    Now, I’ll openly admit … I’ve started projects and not finished them, and my team and I are constantly working to improve our focus, discipline and ability to complete projects.

    In the past, it used to take my full willpower to complete something, until I learned a universal truth about myself and any human being on this planet.

    Before I share this with you (which I will) I want you to consider two important questions:

    I have the answer to both of these questions with one word … Desire.

    Related: 3 Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus in 14 Days

    Understand what desire is

    Desire is the triggering mechanism for you to release energy in the direction toward what you want.

    I recommend that you screencap or write that previous sentence down. When I internalized what this statement means, my ability to serve and focus transformed. I went from earning $5K per month to $100K per month with ease and peace of mind by tapping into what I desired most. And truth bomb … the money was a byproduct result. The real win was becoming a more powerful person.

    So, to begin to understand this statement let’s first understand what desire is.

    Desire is an emotionalized want or idea that exists in the subconscious mind. Your desires control the results you have or want in your life, including your business life.

    That means in order to transform your focus, output and results, you need to understand what your desires (or emotionalized wants) actually are.

    Begin to uncover your desires by answering these questions:

    • What work sets your heart on fire?

    • What can you do all day without a break?

    • What do you want to see happen in your business and life more than anything else?

    After you answer those questions, I have a final one that reveals all:

    • Are you releasing energy in the direction of what you desire?

    What comes out is paramount, and then things get very interesting. What you’ll discover is you have multiple desires running in your mind, and some of your wants and desires will be in conflict with each other.

    For example, you may want to be fit, healthy and toned, but you also desire a McDonald’s cheeseburger for lunch every week (and I don’t blame you. They’re tasty).

    However, if the desire for a cheeseburger overpowers the desire to be fit (more often than not), you’re sunk before you begin.

    So, the real question to answer for improving your focus to make better quality decisions in your business is: How do I build desire for what I truly want? And ignore the desires that work against me?

    That answer is autosuggestion.

    Related: 3 New Ways to Develop Laser-Like Focus

    Create affirmations

    Saturate your mind with ONE of your desires at a time through repetition of thought.

    Example affirmations are:

    • I am so happy and grateful I earn $____K per month consistently. Money flows in with ease, and I love it!

    • I am so happy and grateful I create video content with ease every day. My content is electric and grows my brand and business.

    • I am so happy and grateful my team culture is positive, productive and efficient. We get everything done on time and I love it!

    You create the affirmation that aligns with your number one desire and then listen, write it down or read it daily! Bonus points if you do all three.

    People ask me all the time, “How long do you use an affirmation to build a desire, Dave?” And the answer is always the same. You don’t stop until you have it!

    You suggest your affirmation until you’ve successfully changed your habits of mind towards the thing you most desire! One desire at a time.

    And if you don’t practice this, be prepared for absolutely nothing to change in your business.

    So, say “YES” to your desires and “NO” to everything else. Then saturate your mind and environment with thoughts only in harmony with what you want flowing in. If you commit and focus on that, you’ll become unstoppable!

    Dave Conway

    Source link

  • How to Achieve A Deep Level of Focus by Breaking Habits and Taking Breaks | Entrepreneur

    How to Achieve A Deep Level of Focus by Breaking Habits and Taking Breaks | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As an entrepreneur, time management is crucial for achieving success. As an immigrant founder, I understand the importance of hard work and dedication to make your business thrive. However, it’s important to remember that working nonstop without taking breaks can lead to long-term negative effects. Studies have shown that prolonged work sessions can lead to burnout, decreased productivity and even physical and mental health issues. To be truly successful, finding a balance between working hard and taking time to rest and recharge is crucial.

    We all must start taking more breaks during our work day and disconnect for a bit. Rather than following the traditional belief that you should only stop when you’re tired, I think taking small breaks before you even start to feel tired is essential.

    This can help prevent burnout and increase productivity in the long run. I have seen the benefits of taking regular breaks and disconnecting from my own business, and I encourage others to do the same. It’s essential for us as successful entrepreneurs to lead by example and prioritize our well-being to continue achieving our goals.

    Related: Increased Productivity Will Increase Your Happiness

    It’s important to remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, finding activities that break out of our routine and give us a glimpse of the fun and judgment-free spaces can benefit everyone. This can be anything from walking, meditating, reading a book, or even taking a quick power nap.

    The key is to find something that helps you relax and recharge. It’s also important to take some time to disconnect from work and social media. This can help us to focus on ourselves and our well-being without any distractions. By finding activities that work for us and taking regular breaks, we can increase our productivity and enjoy the journey of being an entrepreneur.

    Below I’m sharing the three most unique time-off break ideas I can recommend:

    1. Making coffee and washing the dishes

    Taking a break from work is essential for maintaining focus and productivity. But instead of scrolling through social media or checking your phone, try something unconventional like making a coffee or washing the dishes. A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that performing simple, mundane tasks such as washing dishes can positively impact our well-being. The repetitive motion of these tasks can be meditative, allowing you to focus on the present moment and release any pent-up stress or tension.

    Making coffee (a favorite activity of mine, especially a good iced espresso latte) can be a great way to break the monotony of work and give yourself a bit of pleasure. Plus, it’s a great way to take care of daily tasks and disconnect from technology. The aroma and the taste of freshly cursed coffee can help to enhance our mood and decrease stress.

    So, next time you need a break, try making a coffee or washing the dishes. You’ll be surprised how it can help you to relax, refresh your mind and increase your focus. There are great brands that offer a selection of decaf coffee beans and ground coffee for a more anxiety-free experience.

    Related: 3 Reasons Espresso Could Be Your Shortcut to Productivity (It Works for Elon Musk)

    2. Taking your dog for an unexpected walk

    It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of work and responsibilities, which can lead to feeling burnt out and unproductive. Taking your dog for a random walk is a unique activity that can help break the cycle and increase productivity. Not only does it give you and your furry friend some much-needed exercise and fresh air, but it also provides an opportunity to step away from your work and disconnect from technology. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in your work-life balance.

    These unexpected walks can also help to return to work with a fresh perspective and renewed energy, which can increase productivity and a better work-life balance. So, next time you feel stressed or unproductive, try taking your doggy for an unexpected walk, and you’ll see the difference it makes.

    Related: Why You Need More Exercise as an Entrepreneur (and 7 Creative Strategies for Getting It)

    3. Disconnecting and enjoying hookah

    Smoking hookah is a unique activity that can be a great way to take a break from work and relax. Hookah, also known as shisha or waterpipe, is a traditional method of smoking flavored tobacco enjoyed for centuries in the Middle East, India and other parts of Asia.

    Smoking hookah is often considered a social activity, and it can be a great way to bond with friends or colleagues while taking a break from work. Preparing and smoking hookah is a ritual in itself and can be a great way to disconnect from work and other stressors.

    In addition to being a fun and social activity, smoking hookah also offers several benefits for your overall well-being. Here are two benefits of smoking hookah during your time off:

    1. Stress relief — Smoking hookah can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long work day. The act of inhaling and exhaling smoke can be soothing, and the tobacco flavors can help to calm the mind.
    2. Increased focus and concentration — Preparing and smoking hookah can be a great way to clear your mind and focus on the present moment. This can help to improve your concentration and focus when you return to work.

    Smoking hookah can be a unique and enjoyable way to take a break from work and relax. Whether you are smoking alone or with friends, smoking hookah can offer several benefits for your overall well-being and help you return to work refreshed and focused.

    In conclusion, taking a break from work is essential for maintaining focus and productivity. Making a coffee or washing the dishes is just one unconventional example of how to do this, but there are many other ways to break your routine and refresh your mind.

    It’s essential to find activities that work for you. Take the proper time to experiment with different options and find what works best.

    Pierre Subeh

    Source link

  • The Supplement This Former Gymnast Loves For All-Day Energy

    The Supplement This Former Gymnast Loves For All-Day Energy

    In addition to superstar phytonutrient caffeine (instant- and sustained-release caffeine, mind you—straight from coffee berries and beans), this evidence-based formula features an impressive lineup of other nootropics: Plant botanicals guarana and ginseng, modern bioactive L-theanine, and essential nutrient vitamin B12 for cellular energy, all in clinically rooted doses.

    Plant-origin caffeine delivers multifaceted mental performance gains I see and feel, giving me much-needed mental energy and keeping me zoned in on my tasks—whether simple or complex.* 

    Since focus+ is also thoughtfully formulated with sustained-release caffeine clinically researched to slow down absorption and sustain plasma caffeine levels1, the benefits are extended over a longer period of time.* The end result? I avoid the “caffeine crash” phenomenon. 

    On top of caffeine’s obvious benefits, Brazilian guarana fruit and adaptogenic herb Panax ginseng are clinically shown to further promote task performance and alertness2. Additionally, guarana has energizing actions due to its native caffeine content, while ginseng supports stress resilience3.*

    Emma Engler, M.S.

    Source link

  • Entrepreneur | 3 Proven Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus in 14-Days

    Entrepreneur | 3 Proven Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus in 14-Days

    Have you ever considered your inability to focus is due to your nutrition, not your lack of willpower?

    Ben Angel

    Source link

  • Entrepreneur | 6 Reasons You Can’t Get Anything Done at Work

    Entrepreneur | 6 Reasons You Can’t Get Anything Done at Work

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    To keep up with the demands of running a successful business, entrepreneurs often spend countless hours interacting with customers, fulfilling orders, managing their teams and juggling a wide variety of administrative and business tasks. We all have the same number of hours in the day. Although entrepreneurs might appear superhuman on the surface, accomplishing all of this while maintaining a reasonable work-life balance requires intense levels of focus to pull off.

    Unfortunately, there are a lot of distractions and environmental factors that can shake your ability to focus during the day. If you find yourself putting in tons of hours but accomplishing very little, the following six reasons could be why.

    1. Fear is disrupting your focus

    Being an entrepreneur can be overwhelming and straight-up intimidating. As an entrepreneur, you might be facing an angry client, a supplier issue or an impending economic disaster. Ultimately, this can have devastating impacts on your ability to focus. People are naturally inclined to avoid tasks and experiences that are inherently dangerous or unpleasant. This leads our brains to sidetrack our focus to less scary activities such as checking email, reading the news or scrolling through social media.

    On the surface, this is counterintuitive. The obvious course of action is to remedy or avoid these challenges (which should in turn reduce our anxiety and fear). The reality is that’s not how we are hardwired, making it easy for our minds to wander and shift our focus to other tasks.

    As an entrepreneur, you might even find yourself working on tasks that appear productive but provide less value to the business. For example, you might spend your day connecting with existing customers who you feel comfortable with. On the surface, this seems like a great use of your focus and time. But you might have subconsciously chosen this safe activity instead of the riskier and more uncomfortable task of cold-calling potential new clients.

    Start by making a list of your worst fears and concerns within the business. Once you have your list, start crossing out the ones that are beyond your control. For the ones that are within your control, create a list of action items to help prepare you and the business to address these challenges. This should make your fears more manageable.

    Related: Taking These Actions Will Stop Distraction

    2. Your business lacks strategy

    We chose to be entrepreneurs because it gives us the freedom and flexibility to build our business and brand the way we want. It’s easy for entrepreneurs to fall down the rabbit hole of endless possibilities for product designs, marketing campaigns, and target markets. The “what if” mindset is what makes entrepreneurs great. However, it’s easy to lose focus on your business without a clear strategy and goals in place.

    If you’re finding it hard to remain focused on your business day after day, you may need to revisit your strategy. If your new ideas don’t align with your strategy, you may want to carefully consider whether you should pursue them or not.

    Related: Death By a Million Cuts: The Small Stuff is More Disruptive Than You Think

    3. You’re not getting enough rest

    Entrepreneurs are notorious for working long, grueling hours. In addition to these physical work times, entrepreneurs spend countless hours outside of work stressing and thinking about the business. This can have significant impacts on the amount and quality of sleep you get.

    Lack of sleep can disrupt focus, attention and concentration. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that the average adult get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. Adjusting your sleep pattern could give you the boost you need to remain focused during the day.

    Other healthy habits in addition to sleep can also improve focus such as eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising.

    4. You’re working in the wrong environment

    Trouble focusing can also be a result of your work environment. Do you stop and read news articles when they pop up in your browser? Does your attention get averted by the people around you when working in a busy cafe? Do you find yourself visiting the pantry for a snack multiple times a day when working from home?

    Eliminating external distractions and adjusting your work environment might be what you need to improve your focus. Try keeping a journal during the week of your activities and what triggered you to engage in those activities. Simple adjustments like turning off digital notifications or moving to a quieter workspace may support a more focused and productive workday.

    Related: Is Your Work Environment Allowing You to Thrive?

    5. Wearing too many hats

    Entrepreneurs often have a million responsibilities and wear multiple hats. In many cases, they spend their day putting out fires and handling administrative tasks. These low-value tasks can break your focus on what’s truly important for the business.

    If you find yourself working on a lot of tasks, but never actually accomplishing anything, you could be suffering from doing too much. One study found that less than 2.5% of people can successfully multitask. Instead, delegating low-value tasks to others and focusing on just one high-value business activity at a time can increase your effectiveness as an entrepreneur. You can even look to technology to automate some of your work activities to free up time.

    6. You hate what you are working on

    In the beginning, starting a new business and being an entrepreneur is exciting and challenging. At some point, your excitement and drive may dwindle as you get into a groove. Your focus might suffer from simply not enjoying your day-to-day responsibilities. In the workforce, people can simply find a new job when they no longer enjoy what they are doing. For entrepreneurs, this isn’t always an option. You can’t simply walk away from the business that you have spent so much blood, sweat and tears to build.

    Instead, think about what activities you enjoy and don’t enjoy. Perhaps, there are some unpleasant tasks that you can avoid or outsource. For example, if you hate the bookkeeping part of the business, you might consider hiring a professional bookkeeper to take this off your plate. That may free up your time to work on more enjoyable projects.

    It’s important for entrepreneurs to always function at their very best. By reclaiming your ability to be laser-focused on your business, you will have the ability to accomplish things that you never thought possible.

    Related: This Is How Employers Can Encourage Workplace Productivity

    Nicholas Leighton

    Source link

  • How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology

    How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology

    Have you ever considered that your inability to focus is due to your nutrition, not your lack of will power?

    Download the free daily journal pages (limited time only). And grab a copy of Ben’s award-winning book, Unstoppable, which has been read by more than 70,000 people worldwide.

    Ben Angel

    Source link

  • A Neuroscientist’s Advice On How To Increase Your Attention Span

    A Neuroscientist’s Advice On How To Increase Your Attention Span

    Defined as ‘the length of time for which a person is able to concentrate mentally on a particular activity,’ attention refers to where we direct our thoughts (and, for how long). 

    “Attention is the sort of overarching, colloquially used term, but it can mean many, many things,” says Elizabeth Ricker, neuroscientist and author of Smarter Tomorrow: How 15 Minutes of Neurohacking A Day Can Help You Work Better, Think Faster, and Get More Done. “When we talk about executive function (the more formal term for what attention can often fall under), it’s composed of working memory (your ability to move from one idea to the next) and inhibition (the ability to inhibit unwanted thoughts or behaviors).” 

    There are an infinite number of things happening around us at all times, but the brain can only process so much. To illustrate how our brains decide what to pay attention to, psychologists use the classic example of a cocktail party. 

    At this cocktail party, you could focus on any number of stimuli in a room: the music playing, the sound of glasses clinking, the person walking by, or the conversation happening behind you. Thanks to the brain’s filtering processes, you’ll usually tune in the person in front of you, with surrounding sights and sounds blurring into mere background noise. But say someone walks by and says your name. Even though you weren’t previously paying attention to their conversation, it now comes into focus as the person in front of you fades into the background.

    Of course, for someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this process can be more difficult. Both conditions present challenges with executive functioning2, which includes attention and focus. This can be compounded by overly sensitive sensory systems3, which make it easier to focus on certain sounds and stimuli in the environment and harder to tune other ones out. (You can read more about how ASD and ADHD affect women specifically in our 2023 wellness trend.)

    Emily Kelleher

    Source link

  • How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology

    How to Achieve Superhuman Levels of Focus with Nutritional Psychology

    Have you ever considered that your inability to focus is due to your nutrition, not your lack of will power?

    Download the free daily journal pages (limited time only). And grab a copy of Ben’s award-winning book, Unstoppable, which has been read by more than 70,000 people worldwide.

    Ben Angel

    Source link

  • 3 Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus in 14 Days

    3 Ways to Achieve Superhuman Focus in 14 Days

    Regardless of what goals you want to achieve in 2023 and beyond, there is one skill you’ll need above all else.

    Ben Angel

    Source link