How To Focus with Distractions

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About a week ago, I decided to unplug from the internet on Sundays. If I pickup the computer on a Sunday, it is to write (or watch the Super Bowl as TV reception was bad last night).

Suddenly I have more focus. I removed many of the distractions altogether.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not perfect; a couple times I have forgot and checked email, Facebook and Twitter.

Old habits die hard. 

There are some great productivity applications out there that can help you focus. I recommend Cold Turkey for Windows. I’ve heard from a friend that Self Control is good for Mac. Both apps cut off your internet access to the websites you want to block for a certain amount of time. If Facebook is your time killer, block it for a few hours. Maybe it’s Twitter. Cut the cord for a half-day; then do it again for a longer time period tomorrow.

I am a self-confessed tab browsing junkie. I can open about 50 tabs and (in my mind) I have a reason why each tab is open. I’d say about 99% of my tabs are for “research” or this looks “interesting.” I finally came to the realization that this is actually killing productivity and focus. I recommend this extension for Chrome called Controlled multi-tab browsing. If you use another browser, I’m sure you can find an extension that is very similar.

Sometimes even when writing, it is easy to get distracted with the features in Word or Pages. I found this free web-based writing tool called Writer. There are several viewing options, including an old-school green font on black background (hello Frogger anyone?!) and you can email yourself your work if you would like.

Also consider using the pen and paper approach. Sources state that you use a different part of your brain when you use physical paper versus typing words out.  If you set aside your iPhone and just have a notebook, obviously it is hard to look at Pinterest isn’t it?!

Remember, you are ultimately the one who has to decide to focus. These apps and tools I have mentioned can help, but the decision is yours.

Do you have any tips that help you focus? Please share them in the comments.

Time to Dive In

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Something has been building up inside me.

With every word I write, every moment I’m awake, a quiet voice keeps telling me, ” Go get in the water. Get in the water now. It’s time to sink or swim.”

So what if you get a little water up your nose or scratch yourself on a rock?

YOU HAVE TO CREATE.

The time has come to get to work.

Even if that involves diving into unknown waters.

There are many sharks out there ready for a snack, but fatigue, laziness and distractions are the real enemies.

I’m diving in. I might do a painful belly-smacker that is anything but graceful, but I don’t care.

My first children’s book, The Shiny Red Guitar, is going to be published this year.

I am still working on this list for 2012 and will continue to move forward with the variety of tasks at hand.

What are you going to finish this year?

I Love Writing But…

Photo of unknownjim and family in Franklin, TN by Kevin Harvey

I love writing.

I love how you start with a blank page, and then slowly the words form sentences, and then those sentences form thoughts.

I love the creative process.

I love it when I finish a project.

I love it when something I wrote inspires or motivates others.

But I’d rather be a good dad and good husband than a good writer.

It is vitally important to spend quality time wondering around a field or watching Curious George tv episodes together.

Focus on what is REALLY important.

Be Miserable or Create.

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Feeling extremely impatient?

Bogged down?

Unhappy?

Sorry for yourself?

Constantly dissatisfied?

You probably are not doing what you KNOW you should be doing.

We are ALL creative.

If we don’t embrace this creativity, we kill ourselves with stress, depression and addiction. 

All kinds of addiction exist to fill the void: alcoholism, television, surfing online, drugs, porn, gaming, overeating, shopping, gambling, and many others.

The void can only be filled with using our God-given talents in a creative manner.

We are wired to create.

Don’t let fear hold you back.

It’s time to get to work.

The Secret To Creating

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The creative process is a puzzle.

Focus on the one piece in your hand and put it down where it belongs.

If you can’t get one piece to fit, push it to the side.

You can always come back to it.

Don’t let one piece stop you from doing your work.

Don’t judge the work now.

The puzzle is not finished.

Keep working.

Find where the next piece fits.

Then do the same with another.

And another.

Be persistent.

Things will take shape.

The story will come together.

The song’s chorus will reveal itself to you.

Keep pushing forward, one piece at a time.

Joe Paterno, Legacy and You

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Joe Paterno.

At this moment, not many other names bring up such an emotional, raw response.

As a parent, part of me wants to say terrible things about Paterno.

I want to say that he enabled Jerry Sandusky to abuse kids, to harm the innocent.

Joe Paterno was larger than life at Penn State, and he did nothing to remedy the situation.

A huge part of me wants to say all accomplishments on the football field do not matter.

For most of us, football is not what we live for;  football is a fun distraction on weekends or a fun past time.

But Joe Paterno lived for football.  He died only 2 months after being fired.

Is this his legacy?

A coach who won lots of games and enabled a sexual predator?

I sincerely hope not.

Joe Paterno inspired and helped many kids.

He did change many lives for the better.

It is really easy to judge others.

I know I was semi-judgemental a few lines above, but please hear me out:

focus on yourself.

You can’t change things or lead others until you focus on yourself first.

A Fish Out of Water

Photo by Jeff Chin (Creative Commons)

I recently unplugged from the internet completely for two days. Sadly, it had been over a year since I had disconnected from the world of Twitter, Facebook, ESPN, and Gmail for more than a day. Once I was not able to get online, my mind immediately wondered about email, blog entries, Twitter and if I had missed some kind of important news.

But at the same time, it was fantastic being disconnected. 

I enjoyed conversation with family. I listened to stories from friends and family members. I wrote. I caught a movie. I even had some time to work on songwriting. I had a good time without my laptop or iPod.

I now realize how much I needed a break.

I’m a bit of  tech geek, so I use many different websites and enjoy computers. Technology is fun for me, so it was news to me that I was in somewhat of a creative rut- and technology was the problem. I was forced to shift my perspective. I now realize how much time I waste when I am online. One website takes me to another (that takes me to another) and time slips by.  Time is extremely valuable. Don’t waste a second.

Taking a break is not optional.

I know I will need a break at some point, but by the time I get to that point, I am most likely at the point of exhaustion. To avoid burnout, I will just do it now and embrace the freedom.

I challenge you to disconnect one day a week.

It is much easier to disconnect when there is no choice. It is hard to close the browser window or put down the smart phone when it is entirely up to you. Can you do it? I could not – until now. I have decided that I need to take some time off each week from cyberspace.

Sunday is the perfect day to disconnect.

If I pull the plug on Sunday, I can refocus toward the upcoming week. Sunday is by far the slowest news day of the week. It is also the day with the least amount of web traffic. If you are a writer, I recommend you grab a notebook and use a pen. I find that my brain taps into new areas of creativity when I use actual paper versus Microsoft Word.

Trust me, just step away from the computer and it will be fine.

Change Everything

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The 9-5 grind can feel mundane and dull. A tuna fish sandwich when the taste buds crave chicken parmesan. Many moments pass by, but  none stand out. Want to know what the problem is? You. Yes, YOU are part of the problem. An attitude realignment is needed. Encouragement is needed. We need each other; I need you and you need me.

Even if you are having a lousy day, you still have the power to CHANGE someone’s world right now. You can offer a word of encouragement, a smile or an ear to LISTEN. 

Just apply this to the workplace. How does employee morale not improve? You will want to go to work. Less sick days are used. Productivity is up. Smiles. Laughter. Friendships.

Obviously there will be tough times; life is not always ‘smores and Kumbaya around the campfire. Pain is a constant part of life. Encouragement and kindness is always needed.

Last summer when U2 performed in Nashville, Bono saw a sign that read “Blind Guitarist, Bring Me Up”.  Bono brought him up on stage to play a song with the band. Bono also gave the guitarist his own personal guitar. The most amazing part of the story is this: this was after the last song in the set. The show was supposed to be over. Bono was tired. The rest of the band was tired. Could you have blamed Bono for not wanting to sing another song? The graciousness of U2 changed this guitarist’s life forever.

To change the world, put yourself out there and help others.

You will also help yourself  too.

A Time to Reflect

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“I have a dream that one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” Martin Luther King Jr.

I often wonder what would Dr. King think if he were alive today?

Have we made progress uniting together or have we drifted apart even further?

I don’t think it is my place to judge the masses or make sweeping statements, as I can only be responsible for my own actions.

If I HONESTLY look at myself in the mirror, I know I can do better.

I will do better.

I will strive to unite and not to divide.

I encourage you to do the same.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.

A Movie Worth Your Time

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Last night I decided to watch a movie instead of reading, writing or listening to music. I chose Nice Guy Johnny, a comedy/drama from 2010. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is basically a movie about life, love and the pursuit of your dream. I really enjoyed the movie for the uplifting message. The movie is rated R and the language is a bit dicey, especially whenever Ed Burns is on the screen. (Ed plays a womanizing foul mouthed character that gives good advice occasionally.)

The movie made me think about what I am really passionate about. What gets me really excited? What makes the time fly? I have a couple ideas that come to mind that I included in this post here. If you do decide to watch this movie (it’s only $1.99 to rent for two days online here), please tell me what you think about it.