How To Focus with Distractions

Photo by Michael Dales (Creative Commons)

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.

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.

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.

I’m Scared

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I’m scared I’m not really a writer.

I’m scared I’m not really a musician.

I’m scared I’m not really creative.

I’m scared I am really a fraud.

I’m scared I can’t make a living being creative.

I’m scared I’m not really a leader.

I’m scared I’m not smart or clever enough.

I’m scared I will be attacked by pain.

I’m scared I CAN actually change the world.

My Fragile Ego, Jimi Hendrix and the Truth

A part of me wants to be liked and admired as a writer. In spite of this, I can not let others dictate what I can or can not do. If I am not very cautious, it is easy to make false assumptions by writing what (I think) others want to hear. I need to be true to myself and then share what I have with the audience.

When I feel passionate about something, I need to write about it. Some readers will not like what I have to say. For example, I really like Jimi Hendrix, so I often write about him on my guitar blog. If someone makes a negative statement about one of my blog posts about Hendrix, I immediately want to prove why they are incorrect. The truth is not everyone enjoys listening to Jimi Hendrix and there is nothing wrong with that. I simply can not control the opinions of others. However, I can control how I respond to criticism or negativity.

In pursuit of anything worthwhile, there will always be resistance from others. It will happen. No matter what the pursuit is, others will try to put you down. Sometimes it is jealousy, and other times the negativity is not connected to any form of logic at all. Bumps and bruises are inevitable on the path to success. I try to keep this in mind while working toward the achievement of goals. I encourage you to use criticism in a positive way if possible. If it is not possible, perhaps you should just wear the criticism as a badge of courage. Anything worth doing is not easy.

My Apology to Taylor Swift

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I would like to formally apologize to Taylor Swift. I have been a very harsh critic of her singing on Twitter.

First, I would turn on a music awards show on the television. Then after Taylor Swift would perform one of her songs, I would immediately slam the performance on Twitter with negative comments.

In the back of my mind, I told myself two lies. The first lie was that Taylor is not a good performer. The second lie was that she was given all of this success and did not earn any of it.

Millions of fans have seen Taylor perform in sold out shows. Thousands of girls have started playing guitar because of seeing Taylor in concert or in a music video.  As a guitar enthusiast and guitar teacher,  I am excited that more kids are playing guitar. The first lie I believed was definitely false.

In a time where album sales are reaching record lows, Taylor Swift sold over 3.56 million copies of  her last record Speak Now.  In today’s market, that is equivalent to selling 10 million records five years ago. You can’t sell that many records or tour constantly without working really hard. Lie two has been exposed.

I made those lies up to distract myself from the truth;  it is because of jealousy and my own insecurities I deemed it necessary to tear down another artist.  I have been struggling for years to truly express myself as an artist. When faced with adversity,  I found it often easier to tear down others rather than to rise up to the challenge myself.

Instead of taking action and doing the work, I spewed negativity.  I took the easy route instead of the path that is difficult but rewarding.

Again I’d like to apologize to Taylor Swift. It is often easier to be filled with hate than it is to be filled with love.  It is easier to tear down others than it is to build them up.