There are many things that jeopardize my focus and concentration every single da

y!
I live in the San Francisco Bay area, popularly known as Silicon Valley, where l
ife zooms past at a hair-raising speed and the months can melt into one year eas
ily, without you even noticing. There s work: that is often 24/7, with meetings, b
usiness calls, interviews, the actual work itself, and being online at all times
. Then there s the commute which can sometimes take anywhere from 1 3 hours round tr
ip, regardless of whether you re taking the bus, train or driving. And then there s
your personal life: your relationships, what you like to do in your spare time,
being outside and getting vitamin D from the sun, staying fit and healthy, and p
reparing food that will give your energy for everything you re trying to do.
Focusing on the important stuff is not easy! But I ve realized that it is possible
.
Here are 7 of my favorite habits that have helped me to stay focused on what I w
ant to do:
#1. Starting the day with a laser-sharp focus
#2. Creating rituals to get me in the mood for everything
#3. Being fierce with eliminating distractions
#4. Becoming a pro at managing my time
#5. Building the habit of doing deep work early
#6. Staying closely connected to my why
#7. Creating mental models to achieve goals
#1. Starting the day with a laser-sharp focus.
I start each morning with a question: What is the one thing I am committed to com
pleting today?
Why it s important: It encourages me to think strategically about the day, keeps m
e focused on my goals (both personal and professional), and it forces me to prio
ritize because I know that answering Everything! won t help me to be productive. The
answer needs to be specific in order to work.
How you can practice it: Put it in writing. Write it in big bold letters on a sh
eet of paper and hang it on your bedroom or bathroom wall. Read it out loud as y
ou start your day, and come up with an answer on the spot. Then, as you go throu
gh the day, make sure you re working on completing what you ve identified as your on
e thing.
#2. Creating rituals to get me in the mood for everything.
Rituals have helped me train my mind to work optimally at certain times of the d
ay, and they also give me a greater sense of control over each 24-hour period so
I can feel more productive and proactive. For example:
A morning routine for energy. I like to get several things done earlier in the d
ay because it s more quiet, I can focus better, and I can devote time to myself. M
ost days I will do a shorter workout (such as yoga or a run), I ll make a 5-minute
breakfast with tons of fresh fruit, and I will get some of my writing done.
A cup of strong coffee. It s a small ritual that I enjoy especially if I am drinki
ng it at home and focusing on the taste! I like Nespresso and Jamaican Blue Moun
tain. If I m in a rush to get to work, I ll put it in a thermos to keep it really ho

t.
Music as a backdrop for my work. I prefer to listen to classical music and instr
umental music (with no vocals) because I ve noticed my brain likes it and can perf
orm faster. I listen to 8tracks playlists, sometimes the Pandora radio stations,
and also YouTube because of the diverse selection.
Taking walks when I need to think through a problem, reflect on something I ve res
earched, and to take a break. Even a short 20 30 minute walk can improve your brai
n's cognitive performance, problem solving ability, and even boost long-term mem
ory. It s also very soothing and I ve realized it gives me a feeling like I ve added s
ome extra time to my day, which is a huge benefit. An added bonus: when I can sh
are my walk with my best friend and we can brainstorm ideas, discuss personal an
d professional goals, laugh a lot, and encourage one another in whatever we re cur
rently focused on.
#3. Being fierce with eliminating distractions.