Missy Tippens
Admission time. I’ve had trouble focusing for most of this calendar year. I’m not talking about a typical blank moment, where you walk into a room and can’t remember what on earth you went in there for. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who does that.)
No, I’m talking about bigger focus problems. Maybe you’ve felt it too… Staring at a screen and finding words fail you, as if your brain is void of synapses. Moments where you can’t summon the energy to string together a sentence. Getting online to look up something, and an hour later signing off, and then realizing you never made it to the website you'd planned to visit.
Or maybe you’ve done the opposite during the pandemic. Maybe if you were fortunate enough to stay at home, you wrote like crazy as an escape. But while not in your story, you found it difficult to focus on real life.
And what about your One Word? If you’re a person who chooses one each year to focus on, do you remember yours? In my planner, there’s a place to write your One Word each week. About April or May, I realized I had stopped filling in that blank, and I had to go back and look mine up. I couldn’t even remember it for certain. Mine for this year is PURPOSE. Obviously, I lost mine a bit.
Then I heard about a little book called Focus: How One Word a Week Will Transform Your Life by Cleere Cherry Reaves. It sounded like exactly what I needed. So I ordered it.
When it arrived in September, I immediately opened it and looked at the first word.
Diligent.
Ouch. I immediately thought God was hitting me upside the head, trying to tell me to work harder and push through the brain fog.
But then the author said that diligence didn’t just mean working hard. That our translation of the root word has lost the connection between diligence and delight.
Delight.
She went on to say that the person who delights in their work is displaying the character of God.
Reaves left us with this…
“Focus Tip: This week when you find yourself in a hard situation, whisper the word diligence and walk through it—don’t run from it. Try to find the meaning behind it and remember Who you are ultimately doing it for.”
Y’all, her words were a balm to my soul. You can read the excerpt at the “Look Inside” feature at Amazon. The words I’ve focused on so far have really spoken to me, and have actually strengthened my understanding of my purpose. I began to find joy again in the writing, because my perspective had changed.
If you’re a fan of having a One Word to focus on each year, you might enjoy focusing on a new word each week. You might want to try Cleere Cherry Reaves’s book.
Today, I wanted to share my own Four Tips to Better Focus:
--Take the focus off your lack of focus! Don’t get stuck in your head. It’s like insomnia. The longer you lie in bed, the more you worry about losing sleep, and the worse the insomnia gets. Experts say that after 20 minutes, you should just get up out of bed and do something relaxing before trying again to sleep. I have a feeling this same method can help with focus. If you’re staring at the screen, don’t keep sitting there, fretting. Get up. Do something else for a while, and then try again.
--Start your work day with prayer and Bible reading. Let God direct your steps. Then start your tasks with diligence and delight!
--Recruit some help from your family, writer friends, or critique partners. Ask them to check in to see how you’re doing with your goals. Maybe encouragement—or even a gentle push—is exactly what you need.
-- If your struggle to focus is unrelenting, consider talking with a counselor. Often, a professional can really help.
Today, I’m giving away a copy of Focus: How One Word a Week Will Transform Your Life. Please let me know if you’d like to be entered (U.S. only this time, please)! Also, please share with us your tips for focusing!
[P.S. Any links today are for convenience only. They are NOT affiliate links.]
After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com,https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.
Thank you for sharing about this book. I put it on my wish list. I like to start my day with prayer and Bible reading too. . .but my days go even better for me if I dump some thoughts in my journal, which doesn't' always work out, but it helps when I can do it.
ReplyDeleteMonica, thanks for sharing that! Journaling is a great idea. Years ago, I did "morning pages" that was recommended in The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It really helped me.
DeleteMissy, plenty to think about here. I can't even remember my "One Word," which should tell you something.
ReplyDeleteI'm the person who "wrote like crazy as an escape," but then couldn't focus on anything OUTSIDE of writing. We just signed my husband up for Medicare etc. and it was a bloodbath, all that paperwork, not to mention that I can't find anything in my kitchen and I put stuff down, get distracted and wander off. It has been quite a year, in addition to COVID restrictions and general COVID-related chaos we've had his retirement to deal with plus the cracked shoulder. Writing saved my sanity.
Which doesn't mean that I'm off the hook for anything else. I've organized myself all these years and gotten pretty good at it but not any more, maybe I need a program. Or a General Manager.
I am involved with a goal-setting program with another writer and again, I seem to meet the writing goals okay. Not so great on the exercise or cleaning closets.
And you're so right about the whole taking a break thing. If you're blocked on the writing and you can't focus, get up and do the dishes. At least you'll have clean dishes.
Ah, Missy, these are interesting times, are they not?
Your Kaybee
Working it all out in New Hampshire
Kathy, I laughed out loud at your idea to have a General Manager. :) Sounds like a plan!
DeleteI sure hope you can get your husband's paperwork successfully finished. And I hope he's recovering well.
Kathy, I don't know if you saw the Facebook message I left you. I did receive the New England gift package I had won from you on Seekerville. Thank you so much. I will enjoy all the goodies and little gifts.
DeleteSandy, I got your message and am glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteMissy, I can always make you laugh, right?
DeleteNot sure I have any tips for focusing. I definitely am often one of those people who shake the head, wondering what I am doing, where am I headed, what am I looking for now??? LOL. Thanks for sharing your tips and about the book. Sounds like one I need to read.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I'm glad I'm not the only one! :) I'm also the world's worst at going to the refrigerator and just standing there staring inside, wondering what I was supposed to get out. :)
DeleteI loved this post! Brain fog this year is a real thing, for sure. I love doing the One Word for a year. This year I felt God nudging me to take up the word Surrender (again...I had it a few years ago). Goodness, I can't tell you how meaningful that word has been to me this year with several family catastrophe's - all during a pandemic. I am definitely putting this book on my Wish List! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSherrinda, I love your word! And I've had the same word for two years in a row. I guess God knew I needed that extra time. :)
DeleteI am running out of words to describe this year. I had such high hopes last November when I chose the word "Connection". We've all needed that in so many different ways this year, haven't we? Focus has been elusive for me this year, so thanks for the recommendation of this book. I'll need to check it out!
ReplyDeleteGlynis, that's a great word for this year! Yes, we've definitely needed more connection. I'm even more thankful for my online friends!
DeleteThis year - especially the past week - has been a bear. And you want me to focus????
ReplyDeleteLOL!
But you're so right! Without focus, we're at the mercy of every shifting current. Setting that focus first thing in the morning is key, isn't it?
However, I do remember my One Word. Back in December, looking forward to what 2020 could be like, I chose two words: pursue peace (from 1 Peter 3:10-11 ESV - "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it." .)
It's been hard enough this year to pursue peace with others, but I recently realized that I also need to pursue peace within. Because without that inner calm, peace, and trust in our sovereign Lord, I will never be able to focus.
Thank, Missy!
Wow, Jan. What One Word/phrase to receive for this year! So perfect. I'm really working on the inner peace as well, especially with pandemic fears.
DeleteJan, this is so powerful! Pursue peace within, so that I can focus. Thank you!
DeleteGreat post, Missy. I have certainly had trouble focusing at different times. Then the last couple months I have really suffered with insomnia. I am trying to work my way through it. I have just started melatonin so hope that will help. But not sleeping makes everything difficult. But we will all eventually make it through this time. The book looks interesting. Please put me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteSandy, insomnia is terrible. I used to struggle from it badly. I still have problems every couple of weeks. But it's much better! Meeting with a counselor really helped me learn techniques for dealing with anxiety and grief. I hope the melatonin helps you! I know quite a few people who take it and say it works.
DeleteMissy, I'm right there with you. This year has been extremely stressful in more ways than one. Thank you for sharing this refreshing post!
ReplyDeletePam, I hope it can help someone else who has been struggling. I'm thankful I'm doing much better now.
DeleteMissy, such a unique book! And interesting to have a weekly "word." My "One Word" for 2020 was "Stay strong." At the beginning of the year, I thought it was a bit strange. But then COVID hit and that "Stay Strong!" took on special meaning. I did a daily FB video for two months during our shutdown time and ended each one with "Stay strong, dear friends!" and "Jesus, I trust in you!"
ReplyDelete"Stay strong!" continues to have meaning and boosts my spirit when times look dark. So my message to everyone in Seekerville:
Stay strong, dear friends!
Debby, I loved your video messages! They were such encouragement to a lot of people.
DeleteWow, Missy. That's an intriguing book. I never thought about the issues with focusing as similar to insomnia. Insomnia I understand. The idea of getting up and doing something when I can't focus . . . I love that. Thanks for sharing about this! My one word for the year has been Present. And it has opened my eyes to so many different facets of this word and how to live "present," if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, Present was my word a few years ago. I was determined to be more present for my family (rather than glued to my computer!), and it was an amazing year.
DeleteMissy, thank you so much for the four tips. Staying focused is and has always been a struggle for me. One tactic that seems to work goes along with your first tip of doing something else for a while. It always seems to help if I choose an activity that's water-centric. As in, doing the dishes the old fashioned way, taking a shower, or just drinking water. Even brushing my teeth in the middle of the day and gargling for a few minutes. Now that I'm typing it, it sounds strange, but I feel like the answer is always water for me.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like a good one, and I would love to be entered to win a copy. :-)
Rachel, that's so funny you should say that. I was on the Weight Watcher's app this morning, and a person in the community had shared a video of the ocean for inspiration and relaxation. I just sat and listened and said, out loud, "I need this." (And thought how I wished I could own a beach place!) :) I've always been more productive when I'm at the beach. I've been a few times with other writers and also work some while our family is on vacation. I love the sound of the waves.
DeleteI don't think I've ever written at the beach, Missy! I love the idea, so there's one for my bucket list!! :-D
DeleteRachel, if you get the chance, you'll have to let me know how it goes. :)
DeleteI'm glad to hear I am not alone! It's been such a challenge to focus on writing when everything feels topsy-turvy. Thanks for the timely and encouraging post Missy. (don't enter my name in the giveaway)
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, I hope you're finding your finding your ability to concentrate again.
DeleteGreat post, Missy. I haven't lost my focus all year, but I did struggle for several months right in the middle. And then deadlines whopped me upside the head and knocked me back into work mode. Ha!
ReplyDeleteSomething I have noticed lately is that if I only think about the bad things going on right now, I don't function as well. But when I remember my blessings, it all goes better.
Amy, I'm glad deadlines helped! That's a great thing to have. :) And so true about remembering blessings.
DeleteWhat is this "focus" thing you speak of? Haha. Yes, I've had trouble focusing this year as well. When I find myself struggling, I find if I stop whatever I'm doing, go outside and sit with nature for a bit, it helps. Fortunately, I live out in the country and work at home, so it's easy for me to do. The book sounds interesting. Please enter me in the drawing. If I don't win it here, I'm going to purchase it. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeletePat, I love the idea of going outside to gain focus again!
DeleteHi Missy:
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late to the party but I'm early for the next one!
The problem today is that most people do not carefully focus taking in all the fine detail. No, today most are like 'point-and-shoot' autofocus cameras. You know, like they want to go into the kitchen and turn on the coffeemaker. So they point themselves towards the kitchen and start walking. However, that autofocus is always working and by the time they get to the kitchen they have focused on several other things.
Oddly, it's not that they have a memory problem. It's the opposite. On that trip to the kitchen they have remembered several other things they want to do. They are now focused on them. It would have been better not to have thought of those other things.
What's needed is the old fashion, split-screen, manual focus where even every blade of grass is focused and you can discern each leaf on the trees. Have a very detailed picture of what you are truly focused on and the image will last until you reach the kitchen.
Vince
Vince, interesting take on it! I'm in a class now looking at different personality types and the way our brains work. Some people are just always taking in the data all around them and can't turn it off. I think that's me! :)
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