FOCUS: A Hidden Superpower

Focus: n. a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity (Dictionary.com)

What’s On My Mind?

The difficulty of staying focused. Why it is so difficult to do so? Perhaps it is because we live in a world stuffed with distractions. They appear in several forms. Social media displays a myriad of distractions in the span of a minute: overwhelming advertisements from retailers mixed with your friends’ highlight reels. If you live with family, friends, or acquaintances, then their presence can distract you too. If you are living by yourself, then your prized possessions may be calling you to come and caress them. Your mirror may tempt you with its shiny or smudgy glass; it begs you to come show it and yourself some love.

The distractions desscribed above and much more all have one thing in common: they become your central point of attraction and attention. All of these things make you their focus and vice versa.

Even as you are reading this piece, there may be thoughts racing through your mind or popping up like a notification. In the blink of an eye, your thought may consist of your health, that girl or guy you find attractive, or something you love or hate. Even as I am typing this sentence, a painful memory has suddently resurfaced in my mind. I quickly become antsy as if ants have crawled onto my legs. I soon snap out of that trance and regain focus. However, it may not be long until another lapse in concentration occurs.

We all have lapses in concentration. Nobody is focused 24/7. Your doctor may be thinking about lunchtime as they “listen” to you speak about your health issues. Your close friend may be entertaining his or her thoughts while you speak, responding to you with “Mhmm!”, “Really?!”, or “That’s crazy!”

Although we are bombarded with external and internal distractions, there are ways to fight against this incessant attack. The first step is to acknowledge that you need to improve your ability to focus. Look in the mirror and say, “I NEED TO FOCUS!” Don’t look too long though. There are also several books and tips-the Pomodoro Technique, breaking up with your phone, or hibernating in a secluded room- that may help you focus better.

Simply put, focus is a superpower that, if mastered, can yield freedom and incredible results. Don’t let the world, your phone, your loved ones, or yourself stop you from mastering it.

#WOMM

[1] Dictionary.com. (2020, June 18). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/focus