It might be obvious that in order to be focused you have to stay focused. But obvious is easier said than done, isn't it? We all, from time to time, need help or reminders on staying focused, this article provides some action steps to take when you need that help. And before laying out the action steps the author takes the time to remind us why it's important to have focus. I appreciated the reminders. Without focus we drift, we are directionless, we aren't positive contributors to our families or workplaces or friend groups.  So today focus on how you might need to re-focus. *wink* 

The complete quote by Steve Jobs is this, “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.” This is a rather common idea among some of the most successful people. (By the way, successful doesn't mean or equal wealthy.) They realize that there are many good, even great maybe, ideas. But they know they can't say yes to all the ideas. They can only say yes to one. Just like multi-tasking spreads one out thin and reduces us to busy work rather than productivity, so focus can't be on several things at once. Single-tasking and focusing have many of the same characteristics and outcomes. For this #FridayFocus take some time to consider what ideas or opportunities you need to say n...

If you spend your time focusing or subconsciously preparing for Plan B then Plan A is not going to succeed. Focus on Plan A can't include any attention paid toward Plan B. And to be on the safe side the only Plan B you should have is to work Plan A. Plan B is usually the thing we don't want as much but it will have to do since Plan A didn't work out. Well, perhaps Plan A didn't work out because we were focused on Plan B instead. I know I sometimes focus more on Plan B, ignoring Plan A, due to fear of the risk Plan A feels like or insecurities I have about my role in Plan A. For the #FridayFocus today, take some time to focus on what you want (Plan A), not what you don't want (Plan B).

Today's #FridayFocus comes to us courtesy of some of the smartest people around.  17 Things We Should Focus On In 2017, According To Kids (I know it's 2018 but I think we should still give the advice about focus serious consideration.*wink*) 1. “Go on more adventures outside.” —Tanya, 9 2. “Jump on trampolines, because it’s super fun. You can’t be upset when you’re on a trampoline.” —Fernando, 7 3. “Ride electric scooters.” —Pearson, 9 4. “Make games for people just in case they are bored.” —Luis, 7 5. “Go to the park and play with your friends and spend more time with your family.” —Mandy, 7 6. “Be nicer to people because it makes everyone feel good.” —Damian, 7 7. “DON’T PLAY A LOT OF VIDEO GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD FOR YOUR BRAIN STUDY FOR SCHOOL WORK OR DO HOMEWORK.” —Blake, 6 8. “Eat and discover more yummier things.” —Reagan, 7 9. “Get better at playing soccer.” —Sean, 9 ...

It seems that we often confuse busyness with productivity. They aren't the same...at all. Sometimes busyness doesn't accomplish anything.  For example, one day I looked at our CD collection and decided I was over it. So I unloaded all of our CD's on the living room floor and started sorting them by artist so I could see what we have. I wanted to weed out some - or most of them. It kept me busy for a good hour. When I finally got them all sorted I decided to keep the stacks as they were so my husband could decide what he wanted to keep and what he could part with. I was so proud of how busy I had been with this project. 23 days later they were still in their neat stacks on the floor waiting. Still waiting for the hub and I to do something with them.  So was my CD project productive? No it wasn't. It kept me busy but in the end not productive. Had it been a productive project I would have wrapped it up within no more than a few days of the initial sort...