Here’s a sure way to remain unfocused and get nothing done: Have 10 or 12 goals when you sit down to concentrate on something. Whether you’re learning some information or working on a physical skill, that’s just too many things to keep track of and you’re sure to fail.
If you want to stay focused, get some work done, and accomplish what you’ve set out to do, you’ve got to limit the number of goals you have at any one time. Three is the maximum. Sometimes, one is the best!
“I can handle more than that,” you protest. Yes, you probably can. Over the course of a day you can accomplish more than three things. That’s true.
However, while you’re truly focused in on something, you’re only doing one thing at a time. As you switch among these items, you can’t have 10 things to do. To stay focused, limit what you’re trying to accomplish.
Choose one, two, or three goals for your next focused activity. You’ll appreciate how much of a burden has been lifted by not trying to focus on too many things at once.
