focus is a practice
I’ve been on the productivity train for years. You name it, I’ve probably tried it—habit stacking, Pomodoros, deep work sessions, 90-day plans, five-year goals, life goals. I’ve read the books, hired the coaches, built the systems.
And here’s what I keep coming back to:
Focus isn’t something you master once. It’s a practice.
Not a light switch you flip and forget. Not a checkbox you tick off. It’s more like meditation—your mind drifts, and you gently bring it back. Again and again.
the mistake
Recently, I made a classic mistake at work. I started taking on tasks outside of my core responsibilities—things that brought real value to the organization, but weren’t what I was being measured on.
On paper, these tasks looked great. I was helping other teams succeed, even generating millions in revenue for areas beyond my scope. It felt good. I wanted to be useful, generous, a team player.
But in a conversation with my manager, he reminded me—gently, but clearly—that my focus was slipping.
“Even if you’re working extra hours to make this happen,” he said, “your focus is still being split. And that matters.”
the realization
That hit me. Not because it was new information—I’ve known this. But because I needed the reminder.
I’ve fallen into this pattern before: trying to do too much, saying yes too often, chasing every opportunity to be helpful. And in doing so, I take my eye off the work I’m actually responsible for.
When I looked back on the past week—five hours at an on-site, all dedicated to work outside my core accounts—it was obvious in hindsight.
That time could’ve been spent moving my key initiatives forward. Building tools. Supporting my direct customers. Instead, I overextended.
the takeaway
So here’s the lesson, again:
Focus isn’t about learning a trick and being done. It’s about returning. Over and over.
Just like in meditation, where the mind drifts and you gently guide it back to the breath, focus is a constant return. It requires attention. And care.
No amount of productivity hacks can replace that.
So now, I’m pulling back. Re-centering. Saying no more often. Reminding myself that doing less, more intentionally, is the path to real progress.
Focus is a practice.
And even with all the knowing how to focus,
I’m still practicing.
