Limits & Focus: What I’ve Learned

Limits & Focus: What I’ve Learned

I’m on a trip to Japan and Guam(gwäm) right now, and with all the things going on with family and other things I need to get done, my time to do work has been limited. Maybe an hour a day, maybe a little more but sometimes even less.

This has been fantastic for my focus.

I don’t waste(wāst) (as much) time on distractions(disˈtrakSHən), and when I need to write something, I get down to it without delay(diˈlā). I know my time is limited, and I know how important it is to use that limited time wisely(wīz).

This is Haiku(ˈhīˌko͞o,ˌhīˈko͞o) Productivity, the power of constraints(kənˈstrānt). We often rebel against constraints, but they work for us.

Limit yourself to one habit change at a time, and you’ll be much more focused on that habit change, much more likely to succeed with it. Limit yourself to one important project at a time, and you’ll be much more focused on that project, doing an amazing job with it. Limit yourself to one task at a time, and you’ll be more focused on it.

One task at a time. A limited time box to do that task. Pure(pyo͝or) focus, with a mindful appreciation(əˌprēSHēˈāSHən) of how precious that limited time really is.

Here’s what you might try:

Pick one task to do in the next hour. Make it a hard deadline(ˈdedˌlīn) by promising it to someone by the end of the hour, and making other appointments(əˈpointmənt) after the hour is up so you can’t extend the deadline. Your time is limited, and you need to get it done.

Now see what changes with your focus. See if you waste less time and fill your hour with fewer distractions. See if you appreciate(əˈprēSHēˌāt) that hour more.

This is the power of constraints, and I’d love for you to apply it to a few areas(ˈe(ə)rēə) of your life in the next month.

https://zenhabits.net/haiku/