Oct 21 • 7 min read
you can reset your focus (4 ways)
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👋 Hey, happy Monday. This is about how to reset and refocus. Read below or if this cuts off, read it on Medium. When you’re ready, here are some resources that you may find helpful:
Now, here's the article... --- Most people get trapped in average routines, and they wonder why they’re only seeing average results.
It’s good to relax, but understand the difference between distraction and relaxation. If you want something different, you’re going to have to do something different. Radical change requires radical actions. You need radical change for radical resultsAn average lifestyle won’t offer anything beyond average results. The first step to escaping mediocrity is unplugging the cord. A hard reboot. Maybe that means waking up at 5 a.m. for a few months. Or committing to 12-hour workdays to finally finish that project you’ve been dragging your feet on. Add these times to your calendar, plan it and block it out.
This intensity can lead to more progress in a few months than coasting along in your comfort zone. Success can come from periods where you push yourself beyond what you thought possible. The good news? These seasons don’t have to last forever. You push, you break through, and you reset at a new baseline. The 4 phases of progressPersonal progress is never a straight line. Instead, it happens in cycles. You explore, grow, push hard, and then build momentum to sustain your gains. Here’s how the journey unfolds: Phase 1: ExplorationIn this phase, you feel lost or unsure. You’re searching for direction, but nothing seems to stick. We feel lost, but really this is exploration. Or at least you need to think of it that way, with purpose. Distractions are everywhere, and it’s easy to fall into patterns of numbing yourself — mindlessly scrolling, watching Netflix, or seeking constant dopamine hits. Most people stay stuck here because they resist that friction of discomfort. Lean into that, it won’t be easy, you may get rejected, or feel embarrassed that you do not have every single answer. But you’re finding your way. Phase 2: Growth sparkThis is the moment when curiosity kicks in, and you begin to see opportunities all around you. You might discover a new business idea, a side hustle, or a skill that excites you. Your mind starts connecting dots, and you’re inspired to learn and explore further. During the Growth Spark, it’s important to embrace experimentation. Try new things, read, listen to podcasts, take courses, and engage with new communities. You are purposefully and logically trying things to see what will work for you. This is where you lay the groundwork for your next leap forward. Phase 3: Push phaseThis is when everything comes together. You’ve identified your goal, and now you’re fully focused on it. For the next 3–6 months, you dive in headfirst. Whether it’s building a business, writing a book, or achieving a fitness milestone, this is where you put in the intense work. The Push Phase is powerful, but it’s also intense. It’s important to recognize when to pull back before burnout sets in. But once you’ve hit your target, it’s time to ease into the next phase. Phase 4: MomentumAfter the intensity of the Push Phase, it’s time to maintain your progress without burning out. In the Momentum phase, you focus on sustaining your achievements with a steady routine. You work 3–4 hours a day on your most important tasks while leaving space for creativity and experimentation. This phase is about stability. You’re not chasing new highs, but you’re building momentum to prepare for your next big push. How does this play out in real-time?Right now, I’ve built some templates to help with productivity. They’ve had a moderate level of success, but I’m interested in doing more and building it out fully. I’d say I’m in the growth spark stage, even though I’ve been here awhile. It’s okay to have several ideas at once (that’s the Small Bets philosophy) but with this it can take a bit more energy and patience. Double down on what makes you excited and seems to have vaildity. How to re-focusYou want to focus, but your mind is scattered. You get distracted easily, and when you do sit down to work, you don’t feel energized. Here’s the deal: if you want to focus for 12 hours straight, you need to get rid of everything standing in the way. 1. The problem of purposeA few weeks ago, I mentioned to a counselor that I feel a bit aimless. And I think this is a big problem for men in particular, especially as you age and you wonder, “is this it?” But having goals and responsibilities can help you set that in motion. You feel lost because you don’t know what you’re working toward.
The world told you what your goals should be — go to school, get a job, retire — but you’re bored and unmotivated because those goals aren’t yours. You’re taking orders rather than making them. To fix this, sit down and start dreaming. What problems do you want to solve? What kind of future excites you? Let me be clear here — this doesn’t mean to quit your job. If you rewind a bit, think about your father or grandfather or even another generation before that. They had projects and ideas. My father planned a tennis court in his backyard. He built my sister and I a tree house. He created a garden. These were fun and interesting things outside of his income-producing job. It was the only thing in his life, but it added to the richness of life. What’s nice about these things is that it takes physical plus mental energy (compare that to video games). My main outlet for this is writing, which isn’t quite the same. But unlike video games, even with writing, this is something I’ve thought of and created and built. Coding can be similar to that. Find something to do, not just play. 2. The problem of environmentYour environment defines you. Are you surrounded by distractions, noise, or clutter? It’s no wonder you can’t focus. Take a day to overhaul your space. Physically and digitally.
This more than just optimizing your workspace with the right pens or a designer lamp. Take an enviromental reset. Fill your environment with ideas, people, and content that align with the life you want. If your social feed is filled with distractions, change it. Follow people who inspire you. Listen to podcasts that challenge your thinking. Surround yourself with the ideas that will push you to the next level. Build an environment that’s conducive to your goals. 3. The problem of energyFocus takes energy, and you won’t have that energy if you’re bogging yourself down. Think about what you eat and when you do it. A big lunch may not help you in the afternooon. Drinking all day during football season won’t help you on Monday. I know my best work occurs in certain times and I want to work on that. Think a few steps ahead. Keep your body light and your mind sharp. I honestly believe that we don’t have a knowledge problem. I can refer back to a dozen courses I’ve purchased over the years. And a kajillion bookmarks. But you need to process it. So instead of rushing into action, take time to gather the knowledge you need. It’s already at your fingertips. Then I suggest taking notes and recording the insights and things you’re learning. This is different than journaling. You’re not reflecting, you’re recording. And then you can reflect later. Once you’re equipped with direction, that’s when you take the next step. Have a big vision with small stepsBig goals give you motivation and direction, but they can also paralyze you if you don’t break them down. That’s why you need to focus on small, actionable steps every day. Write down what you want out of life — and what you don’t want to do. Then reverse engineer your goals. Break it down:
You can see how this won’t happen in a day. Focus on just a few priority tasks every day. It’s how you build momentum while keeping your sanity intact. Figure out what worked (and what didn’t)Productivity isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It’s something you refine over time. At the end of each week, reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what you need to improve for the next cycle. I talk about this with my kids each day and I also do this with some friends in Slack.
Progress isn’t about…Progress isn’t about constant hustle. It’s about cycling through intensity and consistency, breaking through blockers, and refining your systems as you go. If you want uncommon results, you have to embrace the cycles of progress and focus. What season are you in right now? Are you ready to launch into your next season of intensity? Related articles by me (on Medium) Keep going- PSS: Still here? WHOA, good job. Here's 61% off the Quick Start Note-Taking Pack (SHHH....it's the lowest price I've offered) |
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