Focus & Priorities

We live in a world of significant distractions and priorities. Yet, my ability to be successful depends on my ability to focus and prioritize, when appropriate. The average person in the United States picks up their cell phone about 100-200 times/day. I get a report every Sunday on my device time (currently over four hours every day). I also have to communicate through several channels. In fact, there are at least eight channels that I receive and send communications: in-person, email, phone, text messaging, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and mail. Some of these are even simultaneously trying to grab my attention.

Our need to focus and prioritize is greater now than ever. Here are methods that I have found helpful to increase my focus and prioritize in this distracting life:

To-Do List

Probably one of my most indispensable tools is my to-do list (I use the Reminders App on my iPhone and computers). It is where I can put down all of the things that I need to do and I use it to prioritize the things that I need to get done sooner rather than later. It is also my greatest productivity tool to get things done. Additionally, it is probably my best customer service tool - when folks ask me to do something, I immediately add it to my to do list and I exceed their expectations by getting it done sooner than they likely expect (I seldom promise to do something by a certain time and I always give the impression that it may take a little time). When I do get distracted or pulled away, the items that I need to get done are there waiting for me when I have time. 

Taking Physical Notes at Meetings

Years ago, I received feedback that I didn’t seem to be paying attention in meetings, and I was always on my laptop. I was primarily taking notes, but the ability to get distracted when on any device is significant, and I embraced the feedback and moved over to a pen and a book (I am obsessed with Beechmore Books - English lined books that I get on Amazon that I take all of my notes in). People perceive that I am actively listening more, and it also helps me to mind map (something that is trickier to do on electronic devices). One parlor trick that I have is that I will sometimes type my notes (and any recollections) into AI and have AI organize and rewrite my notes, and people are amazed about how much I captured - this is particularly helpful in listening sessions where my primary focus is to listen to what the person is saying and then reflect back. It can also form an important tool to demonstrate (with pauses and writing) to show people that I am listening to the important things they are saying. 

Distraction Tools

Over the years, I have always been amazed by how many people can relate that fidgeting in their chair (especially folks who were disciplined when they were in school) can be a sign of ADHD. I was one of those kids that the teacher would have to remind not to fidget - I was always moving, and it wasn’t until I was in medical school that I appreciated that I had some mild ADHD that I was self-treating with caffeine and fidgeting as a distraction technique. Now there are things such as fidget spinners or desk toys that folks use. Given the number of places that I am working on any given day in the medical school, my pen has been my number one distraction tool, and I use it like others might use a fidget spinner. I carry a nice pen (Montblanc) that can also be a conversation starter. 

Learn to Say No

Steve Jobs had the famous quote as follows: ““People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” If Steve Jobs allowed his engineers to go down every rabbit hole, they would never have had the bandwidth to focus on projects such as the iPod and iPhone, which were two of the most successful consumer electronics products of all time, but took significant focus to create. 

I was one of the people that had a tendency to say yes to everything. I remember watching Yes Man, the 2008 Jim Carrey movie, where his life dramatically improved after saying yes to every opportunity that came his way. In many ways, I agree that you should try to say yes when possible, but there are limits. Ben Franklin’s quote, “To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions,” does encourage us to jump at opportunities, but it is also important to be somewhat selective at what you say yes to. Some opportunities can take up so much of your time and not necessarily provide the professional and personal growth that will get you what you want. I used to say yes to every national committee or volunteer opportunity that I could, but I have now realized that most of those are not central to my own personal mission and vision of where I want my life to be. 

Integrity

I think it is important for every professional to have integrity. One definition of integrity is to do what you say you are going to do. I have worked hard to make this one of my key identifying traits. People who work closely with me know that if I say I am going to do something, I nearly always deliver on that (except under significant extenuating circumstances). This builds trust, and it also builds focus. I know how much work goes into delivering on some promises, and it forces me to be intentional with what I say I will do, and it makes my words even more meaningful to those around me. 

One thing that you may have noticed me not mention are all of the gimmicky techniques that some folks seem to be obsessed with: Do Not Disturb settings on electronic devices, setting times on calendars for “focus time”, etc. I have never found these to be effective, and everyone that I know that uses them seems to be quite unfocused with challenges, prioritizing things in their lives. They may be effective for some, and I hope that they do work for them. 

I hope that these thoughts improve your ability to add focus and prioritization in your life. In the end, the main goal is that we live healthy and productive lives and we get a chance to enjoy each other and life and be able to focus on those things that give us joy (e.g., family, friends, laughter, enjoying life’s small gifts, etc.).