Focus on Today
Do you ever catch yourself looking ahead on your life to all you have to get done and you start to feel overwhelmed? While it is very worthwhile to have long term goals and put plans in place for the future, it can get overwhelming with the realization of all you have to get done. If each day you concentrate only on that day and break things up into smaller bits it can relieve a lot of stress and help keep life at a more even keel. I have a few things I do each day that help me get a lot done while working on my personal development and achieving my long term goals. Working on these things on a daily basis with only that day in mind helps keep my feet on the ground and stress from setting in.
Here is what I try to do daily and I hope some of these things could help you too-
-Have a “to do” list for the day, I may not always get everything done but it helps me stay on task. My “to do” list keeps me from losing focus, indecision and rushing through things.
-Focus on my tasks only for that one day. I know there is a big picture of what I am trying to accomplish but do I do things one by one, day by day. I know I can do something for just one day, even if it is something I don’t particularly like. It gets stressful and overwhelming if you think of having to do something you dislike long term.
-Focus on my attitude everyday and work daily on a positive mindset. I work hard at overcoming any negative thoughts or any “I can’t” that comes in my head.
- Work to not be a mental loafer. I try to challenge myself and try to learn something useful everyday. I try to read something for personal development or developing my business everyday, even if it is just 10 minutes a day. I try to listen to helpful webinars or videos everyday as well.
-Give myself time to reflect everyday. I try to gain perspective on my life and get a little time to myself.
- Do something good for my health like exercise or preparing a healthy meal. I know when I feel good and treat my body right I am so much more productive. If I don’t take care of myself I tend to be sluggish and tired.
-Work on my gratitude and appreciation for everything I have.
This is what I have found works for me for improving myself and working toward my goals on a daily basis. Do you have anything you do daily that helps you work toward your goals? Leave me a comment and share what works for you.
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Hi Angela,
A to do list is a must for every home business owner as we tend to get distracted by small things like reading emails,chatting on face book so in addition I like mind mapping as well because I can see the picture.Integrating our to do list with spreadsheet is also a great time saver and it simplifies our job…
Awesome post…
Cheers,
~Kebabope Morapedi
kebabope´s last [type] ..This Free Video Reveals How You Can Personally Attract Prospects To You!
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Hey Kebabope! I need a to do list so I don’t get wrapped up on all kinds of distracting things like e-mails or chatting. I have not tried mind mapping but I like that idea. Thanks for your comment.
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Angela,
In addition to the excellent points you have raised, I try to do something each day that is “outside of the box”, even a simple activity like walking barefoot in the grass. A change in the routine keeps me fresh and energized.
Darlene Davis´s last [type] ..Building Your Twitter List 101
Twitter: http://www.askdarlenedavis.com
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Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Hey Darlene! I like that idea to do something outside of the box. Keeps life interesting. Thanks for your comment!
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Hi Angela, A to do list is the most important thing for me. I get distracted without one. I also need down time everyday…time where I don’t have to think about anything! That’s what keeps me from getting overwhelmed.
Thanks for the great post!
MaryKay
MaryKay Edelen´s last [type] ..How To Add A Gravatar To Your Comments On WordPress
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Hey Marykay! I am the same way and get distracted and lose my focus if I don’t have a to do list. Thanks for your comment!
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Great ideas Angela!
I find exercise clears my head when I get stuck on things. Brings you back to the present cause you have to focus on your breathing and your whole body while working out. That or going for walks to clear out the cobwebs.
Activity brings my focus back to the present quickly.
Thanks for sharing all these great ideas,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..Go With the Flow
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Hey Val! It is incredible how much better and focused I feel after exercise. As hard as it is to get started sometimes it is harder not to do it for me. Thanks for your comment!
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Hi Angela,
Excellent tips! I find focusing on your tasks today relevant. Keeps you focused on the tasks for the day and stay the course.
Janette
Janette Stoll´s last [type] ..Marketing your direct sales business this summer- tips to staying connected
Twitter: janettestoll
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Hey Janette! It really does help you stay on task and focused when you have a plan just for one day. Thanks for your comment!
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Angela, Great tips! I also use a daily list to keep focused. It really does help keep me from feeling overwhelmed. I like your tip on doing something good for your health each day too, I think that is of the utmost importance! Thanks for the great tips! Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..How To Mask Your Affiliate Links – And Why You Should
Twitter: Joseph_McDevitt
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Hey Joeseph! I have found it keeps me from getting overwhelmed too. I think taking care of your health is so important, without health you are no good to yourself or anyone else. Thanks for your comment!
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I needed to be reminded to do this today.Have let myself get overwhelmed lately.Thanks Angela.I will put these suggestions to practice today.
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Angela Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Hey Beverly! In this industry it certainly can get overwhelming. If you can take things day by day it really does help. Thanks for your comment!
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Hi Angela,
focusing on today and the task at hand yes
and our attitude
and appreciation yes
I agree.
You put that into words really well.
Loved reading it.
Thank You!
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
Yorinda´s last [type] ..Joy is the Goal
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Hey Yorida! It really does help to focus on the task at hand. When I think about all I have to do it can lead to stress. Thanks for your comment!
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Great post Angela!
Reminds me of my favorite quote: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s we call it the present.”
Love the focus on task for the day. Thinking long term on some tasks I don’t like really slow me down. It reminds me of when I ran marathons, to focus on just one more minute.
To Your Genius,
Eiji
Eiji Morishita´s last [type] ..Wisdom Where Are You
Twitter: geniussquared
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Hey Eiji! I love that quote too, that applies very well to this post. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Angela,
You made a great list, especially with the reminder to focus on today’s list (and not get overwhelemed with tomorrow’s and next week’s). Part of my day includes going through my to-do list, checking it through the day, remembering my ‘reasons’ for my work, repeating a motivating phrase, and learning more. Part of my ‘fun’ is learning – I relax by finding new information and reading about my favorite topics. I have to work on relaxing my mind every day, so that I’m refreshed to start another day. I like that you included health – exercise and food — which is vital to us being able to do what we love. Excellent tips!
Take care,
Larry
Larry Akers´s last [type] ..Identify Your Limiting Beliefs – Part 3
Twitter: LarryAkers
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Hey Larry! Sounds like you have a good balance with working and learning. Learning is one of my favorite and fun parts of the day. I think it is important to learn something new everyday. Thanks for your comment!
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Hi Angela,
What a great list. I tend to make a list for my week and narrow things with a deadline to particular days. I like reviewing my list before bedtime because it gives me an opportunity to see how much I accomplished and then have a positive mindset on my list for the next day. I need to work on the exercise part, which I KNOW will make a huge difference on my well being and ability to continue working, living, and enjoying life! I like learning new things too and often find webinars, new posts, videos, books, etc. that will shed light on topics I enjoy. I don’t always get to do that every day, though. Depends on my work deadlines, but I will bookmark something or add it to my list to look at later.
Sounds like you’ve made a do-able way to getting tasks accomplished. (I’ve had to practice at adding reasonable goals to my to-do list).
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Akers´s last [type] ..Top Writing Resources
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hey Jennifer! I think before bedtime is a great time to write and reveiw your list for the next day. It does help to get a positive mindset for the next days tasks. Doing it at night helps me sleep better too because then I am not stressing all night about what I need to do the next day. Thanks for your comment!
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Hi Angela,
Great post on your making today count! I tend to keep a running to-do list etc to help maintain a productive day but do find that I need to put the reflective piece at a higher priority. I get so busy being productive that I do sometimes forget to give myself that all important time to be reflective. That piece is every bit as important as the rest. Thank you for the post.
Linnea´s last [type] ..Does “Tribing” Pay
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Angela Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Hey Linnea! I agree that being reflective and having some quite time is important. Thanks for your comment.
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Angela,
Great post on being in the moment. This is so critical to living a full life. I especially like your tips about time to reflect and appreciation. I think appreciation is so big that I’m creating a whole new website devoted to it.
Thanks so much,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last [type] ..The 3 C’s of Relationship- Chemistry- Compatibility & Commitment
Twitter: passion101
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Angela Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Hey Adam! I think that is a great idea for a website, I look forward to checking that out.
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If each day you concentrate only on that day and break things up into smaller bits it can relieve a lot of stress and help keep life at a more even keel.
Twitter: KevinMartineau
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I accidentally hit enter before I finished what I wanted to say.
The statement that I highlighted above really resonated with me. I have found this to be especially true over this last week where each day seemed so overwhelming just on it’s own.
Kevin M.´s last [type] ..Where does our help come from
Twitter: KevinMartineau
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Hey Kevin! I agree that if you can break things up into smaller bits it helps relieve a lot of stress. Life is better when we have less stress so it is good to keep our focus on things one at a time.
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I agree with making a to-do list. It helps to force me to finish the tasks that I would otherwise put off. Also, if I look at the bigger picture when I write my to do list then, like you said, while I am working I can just focus on the task and not get overwhelmed by everything else.
Wayne Woodworth´s last [type] ..Environmental Illness
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Angela Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Hey Wayne, To do lists are really so helpful. I have found it really helps me increase my focus instead of wondering what to do next. Thanks for your comment.
[Reply]
Great post and tips Angela!
Staying present and focused on what can be done today, gets us in to action and away from the tendency to procrastinate or distract ourselves when our tasks seem too large and daunting. Staying in appreciation and gratitude also opens us to receiving more of what we are grateful for, and to receive and act on the opportunities that are continually opening to us.
Thank you for the post,
Johneal
Johneal Rouse´s last [type] ..How to Transform Aggressive Energy in to Constructive Action
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Very true that staying focuses helps from procrastination too. I love what you are saying about appreciation and gratitude. I think gratitude is so important. Thanks for your comment!
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Angela,
I love your suggestions. I have experienced many emotional ups and downs in the process of building my online presence and business. When I come up agsinst some difficulty, delay, challenge or some technical piece that just does not want to work, I have found it best to step back, go away, do something different, go to my health club, do something that is easy for me to do. When I return to the “problem,” often the solution seems to miraculously appear.
So, I have discovered that is not not necessary for me to have everything working perfectly NOW. Patience and persistence are my friends now. And when I look back, I am continually amazed at how much I have accomplished – and so much more to accomplish in the days and months and years to come.
Dr. Erica Goodstone´s last [type] ..Love Yourself Now
[Reply]
Angela Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Oh that is so true in my case too. If I walk away from a task for a while and give myself a break it is often way better when I return to work on it. Patience and persistence are things I find that I need as well. Thanks for your comment!
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Angela, I know this is an old post, but the message is timeless. Thank you for all the suggestions you have given… I could add a few to my “Today”. I find it helpful, during the all-too-frequent times when I feel overwhelmed, just to sit quietly and breathe… and bring myself back to the present moment. I also find being outdoors is calming to my soul. The whisper of the wind in the trees… the songs of the birds… the rippling of the brook… seeing the grass waving in the wind…
Willena Flewelling
Willena Flewelling´s last [type] ..When You Talk to Yourself- What Do You Say
Twitter: WillenaRose
[Reply]
Angela,
Great post.
I have to take the time to reflect. I do this in my car, no radio, just my thoughts.
It really does help and make me feel great.
The one thing I have to work on is following the tasks for only that day, I tend to
jump around. It really hurts my production level.
Thanks for sharing this!
Have a great one!
Tommy D.
Twitter: tommydipietro
[Reply]
Hi Angela, great post & one of my favorite topics as it’s one that I feel gets most of of stuck and causes inaction. I find that making a list of my top 6 most important tasks for the day (usually started on the day before) helps to keep me on track, and allows me to take smaller bites of each task until I’ve completed…and there’s nothing like the feeling of being able to cross off a completed task from your list! A very important point that you made is to keep positive in your focus each day, and not to allow those negative thoughts to creep in and sabotage your success. Thanks for sharing
Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..Excellence or Perfection
Twitter: christine_tulsa
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