How To Stay Focused In A Noisy World
The world is a very noisy place, make no mistake about that. If you happen to steer in the wrong direction, it may seem impossible to redirect yourself back on course.
External distractions can make it very difficult to create the tunnel vision you need to ascend to the next level.
Below, I have put together a list you can prioritize to start seeing tangible improvements in the quality of your life!
Learn How To Manage Your Time
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we spend that time will have a dramatic effect on the quality of life we end up living.
Let’s break down a typical day the majority of us experience. Sleep for 8 hours, jump in your car and go to work for another 8 hours, and 2 hours are dedicated to eating and drinking. Leaving us with 6 hours that can be used productively or mindlessly waste as the time slips by day after day.
Manage your time effectively by planning accordingly.
Start by dedicating a few hours on learning how to start that online business you’ve always thought about. Take some time to brainstorm on potential business ideas if you want to start a business.
Register for those classes you’ve been putting off since the start of the pandemic. Many universities are now resuming normal in class lectures so if online courses were not your thing, now is the time to get back in the groove.
Pick a specific time during the day to dedicate at least 30 minutes to some type of resistance training or cardio. If for whatever reason you can’t muster up the courage to get into the gym, then find a physical activity you enjoy doing like riding a bike, or playing tennis.
These hobbies will not only enhance your physical state, but will simultaneously sharpen your mind allowing you to focus for a longer period of time.
It’s not rocket science. Get your daily planner and start knocking out the most important items on your list for the day.
Knowing what you will do the next day, allows you to manage your time better. Be consistent in curating a habit of getting shit done daily!
Limit The Use Of Social Media
Everything on the internet is not as it seems. Facebook/Instagram/Twitter should not be glorified, rather it should be taken as face value.
Images are voiceless and don’t encapsulate people’s mental and physical state. Social media is a platform to keep us well connected with friends and family. Nothing more, nothing less.
Spending too much time in the digital world can be dangerous because it will hinder your progress in the real world.
If you are not sure how much time you are spending on instagram follow these simple steps: 1) Go to your profile tab 2) Click on the stacked hamburger looking icon on the top right 3) Tap your activity 4) Finally tap on time spent.
Below is a screen shot of my IG time card. I am currently working on lowering my daily average to 30 minutes per day.
Check to see where you stand and adjust accordingly if you are spending more time than you’d like on these social media platforms.
Health/Nutrition
What you put in your body has an incredible effect on how you feel and how you think. Learn how to cook meals at home to avoid all the processed junk that come from fast food meals.
Eating out every day not only breaks the bank, but the high amount of sodium, fat, and cholesterol in takeout can increase your risk of heart disease including an array of other health complications as we age.
I’ve found that a diet with high protein, moderate carbs, and low fats has been ideal in keeping me lean these past couple years.
We all need to eat, just remember to prioritize using fresh wholesome ingredients to satiate your body. This will keep your mind sharp and you won’t feel groggy or tired throughout the day because your body is getting nourished with quality ingredients.
Fitness Lifestyle
It’s not about how much weight you can lift at the gym,(unless you’re a bodybuilder) it’s about mastering the proper technique and building that muscle-mind connection. Ditch the ego lifting mentality and get back to basics with proper technique.
Make every single rep count! Squeeze hard enough to feel your muscle contract. I’m telling you this from experience.
Being new to the gym all I wanted to do was lift as much weight as I possible could, even if that meant compromising my form. In retrospect, I was doing more harm than good. Prioritize proper technique first, then slowly increase the weight (progressive overload).
I also recommend working out on your own. It may seem like a great idea to have a gym buddy so that you guys can support one another and keep each other accountable for making it to the gym.
However everyone is built different and some exercises might benefit you but not your friend. To truly maximize your gains try to understand your body. Figure out what lifts are beneficial and rule out the ones that aren’t so effective.
This will take a great deal of time so be patient. All that is good takes time, but make sure you are putting in a great deal of effort as well when you train. Don’t be upset at mediocre results stemmed from mediocre effort.
Train with purpose and let your work speak for itself. The more consistent and discipline you become the sooner you will see the transformation you seek.
Get Adequate Sleep
This is a huge one and honestly the most important. What’s that saying again, “You can sleep when you die.” Yeah, throw that right out the window!
Our brains need at least 8 hours of sleep to fully retain information we consume on a daily basis.
Sleep is vital for a proper functioning body. Missing out on hours of sleep may be the reason you are not able to focus on your goals. It may also be the reason you can’t think with clarity.
FYI not having sufficient sleep can also effect your mood. Gaining control of your mind will allow you to focus on what truly matters.
If you have trouble going to bed at night start by giving yourself 30–40 minuets prior to falling asleep. Use this time to unwind so that it may be easier for your body to follow a suitable circadian rhythm.
Read
Pick up a book and start reading.
Be weary of those who’ve only read a single book in their lifetime. Their perception of the world is one sided.
Those who read books open the doors of experience and knowledge from those that came before us.
Reading gives us the ability to tap into the minds of great authors allowing us to keep an open mind about the marvelous world we live in.
Reading also enhances your vocabulary, brushing up your communication skills which come in handy for leadership roles.
Books have the ability to enhance our minds tremendously, making them the richest commodity any person can own for personal development.
It’s up to you to open one up and start flipping through the pages of wisdom; the choice is yours :)
Here’s a brief recap:
- Figure out what lifestyle best suits your needs, then go out there and do what is necessary to live that life.
- Put down your phone and take a break from the digital world so that you don’t completely check out in the real world.
- Cook your meals from home! No more fast food. Every once in a while is okay, but most meals you consume should be ones you cook from home.
- Refrain an ego lifting mindset and focus on intentional reps. Make every repetition count.
- Allow yourself 30 minutes to unwind before going to bed.
- Read daily and highlight valuable information you can implement.
Best,
Matthew Suaste
***There are no external forces stoping you from achieving what you truly desire. Everything that happens in your life stems from the choices you make on a daily basis. Start making the right choices your future self will be proud of.
