I’ve been feeling a lack of directed focus for quite a while now, maybe as much as 2-3 months.  It started when I was really busy for a couple month stretch and I think a bit burned out.  Its not so much that I cant get anything done.  Rather its the feeling that Im staying busy but not necessarily productive.   More focused on the mundane details than the activities with long term value.   

This week Im really trying to crack down and focus on one specific thing for a large block of time (60-90 minutes), take a break and then repeat.   I’ve done this in short spurts in the past with great results but never for an extended period of time.  

Trouble is, to do that, you have to turn off the cell phone, close out the email browser window, get off of the internet and really delve deeply into something that’s probably not the most fun to do.  After all, the reason that we procrastinate is that those tasks, though important, aren’t the most exciting.  

If I had to give myself a grade so far today I’d say B+.  Its 2:45 and I feel like I’ve gotten as much done as I normally would have by 4:30 or so on a normal day.  Granted, I got up and started earlier today.  Still, the three things that I have gained significant headway with today are three things that been on my “to-do” list for weeks now.  Im proud of myself for making significant progress.  

I will say that I have caught myself (periodically) mindlessly reaching for my phone to check something, anything, only to realize that it is turned face down for a reason and ultimately put my hand away to reengage on whatever it is that Im working on.   Its been interesting to observe this habit that I have of picking up the phone to see if I have emails or Facebook updates etc..   Is it a habit or a sickness?  Only time will tell.