Finding It Hard to Focus? Try this
There’s a simple way to improve your mindfulness and manage your to-do list — and it works even better when you have a trusted partner to turn to.
In this age of endless distractions, real focus is precious.
And while the internet abounds with all manner of focus-building tips, tricks, and hacks, one of the best resources on this topic came out over 20 years ago — in good old-fashioned print.
I’m talking about David Allen’s bestseller Getting Things Done. This book is full of so much timeless, practical wisdom that it’s still in print today and has spawned an entire management consulting culture. I was fortunate enough to work with Meg Edwards, President of GTDFocus several years ago - I utilize that training everyday.
At the core of the GTD system is the “safe place,” a trusted repository where you record everything that has your attention. It can be as simple as a handwritten journal. Or as detailed as a multi-page spreadsheet. It can even be a person.
And if you ask me, in many cases, it should be a person.
Why?
Because having a person — or, as I call it, a trusted partner — as your safe place adds an extra layer of accountability and motivation to your commitments. Just knowing that you have someone to answer to can spark the fire you need to meet your obligations and take meaningful action toward your goals.
Plus, with a trusted partner, you get the benefit of a second perspective. Someone to bounce ideas off of. Someone to help you set priorities. Someone to turn their real-life feats and fumbles into priceless insights that maximize your wins and minimize your losses.
Try asking a journal or spreadsheet to do that.
As an executive coach, I naturally fall into this role of trusted partner and safe space for my clients. And I’ve seen just how impactful it can be, from the budding entrepreneur to the seasoned C-suite exec.
Why does it work so well? Because when they know their jumbled thoughts and packed calendars are in good hands, they can turn their precious, finite focus to actually, you know, Getting Things Done.
Allen was really onto something with that title.