Focus, Motivation, & Action Tips for Monday

Tip Number 1: Practice memory improvement techniques.

Memory and focus are intertwined in many ways. As such, improving your memory will consequently improve your ability to concentrate.
There are many ways to improve your concentration. You can find free exercises online. You can also try joining a memory training workshop or read a memory enhancement book. There are also memory training software programs that you could try.

Tip Number 2: Learn how to read effectively.

Whether your goal is personal, work-related or something else, there will surely be a time when your goal would require you to read something. This should not be a problem, however, if you learn how to read effectively.

The world’s fastest readers do not really read every word of the book or material they are reading. Rather, most speed readers are good at skimming and finding context clues. Their mind and eyes are trained to find the most important parts of each page and paragraph. Even if they have a limited amount of time to finish reading something, they will not have any problems grasping the most salient points about it.

The written word is one of the most notoriously common things that many people have a hard time focusing on. You will not have to su3ffer the same fate if you just take the time to learn how to read effectively.

Tip Number 3: Be eager to learn.

No one is too smart to stop learning. You will have an easier time focusing on new topics or tasks if train yourself not to be reluctant to learn about new things.

Granted, old dogs have a hard time learning new tricks, but surely you have more brain cells and willpower than canines?
Knowledge is a beautiful thing, and you should not turn your back on the opportunity to learn something new if it is given to you.

Tip Number 4: If you are the type and if it helps – pray.

Religion is purely personal – just like goals are. If prayer matters to a lot to you, then asking for a little bit of divine intervention would not go amiss. As the Bible says, ask and ye shall receive.

Other religions in the world are surely of the same mind even if they couch it in different terms.

Tip Number 5: Remind yourself of the consequences.

If you are extremely tempted to give up on what you are doing and just lose yourself in having fun instead, remind yourself of the possible consequences and that is sure to get you back in line.
Say you want to lose weight. If you eat that extra cup of rice tonight, it would mean having to spend an extra hour in the gym tomorrow. If you fail to do that, it will mean having your weight increase by two pounds. In time, it will mean not being able to fit into that new swimsuit you so wanted to wear to the beach party you are planning to attend – which the guy of your dreams is sure to attend as well.

Now ask yourself again – do you still want to stray from the task at hand?

Tip Number 6: Remind yourself that you are not the only one at stake.

Most of the time, the goals you want to achieve affect others as well. Say it is your aim to increase profits by 25% by the end of the year. If you do not reach your goal in time, then you will not be able to give your staff the Christmas party and end-of-the-year bonuses they so richly deserve.
If you do not care about the consequences you will suffer from by losing focus, surely you are not selfish enough to ignore how your decision will impact others?

Tip Number 7: Forward all calls to your voice mail box.

Phones – all types of it – are also a source of distraction. Change your answering machine’s message to let people know that you absolutely cannot afford to be disturbed. If they truly care about you, they are sure to understand.

Be sure, however, to let them know that you will be checking your email inbox every hour. If they have a drastic need to contact you, then they better start typing their emails.
Tip Number 8: Limit you email-checking to five minutes per hour.

It really cannot be more than that because you are only supposed to reply to emails that are absolutely require a response. Anything less than important should be set aside. You have to be very firm about this rule or you will end up procrastinating again.

Tip Number 9: Remember that checklist? Do not forget to tick it off!

Seeing your checklist near to completion will always work as a great boost to your confidence. If you were able to accomplish so much already, surely you can accomplish the rest of your tasks?

Affirmations are basically positive statements that you tell to yourself repeatedly like a mantra. These are supposed to help you enjoy a positive frame of mind and be more confident about accomplishing your goal.

Some people say that affirmations should not use potential forms of verbs like “I can”. In order to further convince themselves of their abilities, affirmations should start with words such as “I will…” and “I am…” because you are that sure about yourself.

Tip Number 10: Think of internal rewards to congratulate yourself.

Positive reinforcement is always a good thing so do not forget to give yourself a pat on the back when you have completed one of the most fundamental steps to achieving your goal.

Now is the time to start tweeting about your latest task. Let yourself bask in the praise of your loved ones and friends as this will surely get you going.