Virtually all explanations of the idiom lead to the same answer: it means focusing. The expression might as well say, ‘You can do anything you focus on.’ When you focus on something, you put all your creative and intellectual energy into it. You, in essence, make it happen.
But we all know it is hard to focus sometimes. Someone walks in. The phone rings. Or worse yet, you just stare at the phone hoping it will ring.
The keys to success-creating focus however are within your reach. Here are a few tried and tested methods from the most focused members of our team here at VTSL.
IF YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON WORK:
1. Turn off your email, IM, phone and telepathic abilities. VTSL has a new ‘unified communications’ product coming out soon that integrates all mediums of communication into Outlook. Email, phone, IM, etc—are all accessible from Outlook. If you get this new UC product, it will drastically reduce the steps needed to focus. Rather than close and turn off 10 communications applications, just close Outlook and get on with it.
2. Get a cup of coffee. Maybe you already have one, or maybe you have written off coffee as a naughty substance. Either way, if you really need to focus, you may want to use caffeine for the powerful tool it is. Learn 7 things you didn’t know about caffeine here.
3. Double the number of minutes it should take you to do the task and repeat this mantra: ‘I am going to finish this [report] in the next [90] minutes (insert your project and the doubled minutes). Make sure you say it aloud. Doubling the minutes reduces the pressure of ‘time’ and the panic that goes with it. Saying it aloud is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN:
If you are at a total loss as to where to begin with your focus-needing project, do these two things, in this order.
1. Write down what the goals of the project are. It is a good idea to include some obvious goals, i.e. why you are having to do the project in the first place, but also write down a few personal, less obvious goals of your endeavour. This will help you to realise that your project can accomplish more than just the obvious intent, and hopefully get you motivated.
2. Write a list of the components. What do you need to include in this project, or do, to get it done? Write down the main items you need to cover or action. Your list doesn’t need to be in order, well organised, or even comprehensive. Just write down all the things you think you need to address. Keep that list near you as you begin your work.
If all else fails, just start. Don’t worry about finishing it, how good it is, whether you have a plan for it or not—just start, with no expectations. You will be surprised what happens.