Do you have more than 10 tabs open on your browser right now?
Try this, close them and JUST focus on this blog post. Go ahead, I know you can do it. Our minds can not be completely quieted. It feels virtually impossible but we can help focus our minds on one thing at a time. We are meant to have thoughts pop-up constantly throughout our day. In fact, there are thousands of thoughts a day. The truth is that we can begin new routines in the noticing. Maybe you are reading this right now and have looked at your phone a few times. Have you put your ear buds in listening to a podcast?
I just listened to a podcast myself which allowed me to get curious on why I make the decisions I do. I decided to sit down and focus my attention on writing this out. The wonderful Brené Brown seems to always capture my attention and focus with her captivating guests she has on her Dare to Lead podcast. This topic became even more attention grabbing because, well the text states Focus and Attention.
Dr. Amishi Jha explores how the brain works around focus and attention. Her pivotal moment hit while raising her 2 year old and realized she couldn’t possibly give attention to her work, her child and her husband without really working on focusing her attention. Rather than this myth of multi-tasking. I too grew upset that that’s not really a thing. Dr. Jha uses the analogy of a flashlight to indicate attention on a specific person, place or thing. When we shine our light we can take in that information and connect.
Bold Takeaways to Focus to Truly Connect:
- Close tabs on your browser.
- Notice when you pick up your phone – Ask yourself: “why did I did I pick up the phone in the first place?” If you have already picked the phone up, now put the phone back down.
- Meditate – I know a daunting practice but with enough dedication, refocusing can become achievable.
- Acknowledge when you are task switching – Instead of the multi-tasking (formally called) which turns into fact task-switching, where we perform one task then switch and do another task then another and so on. That’s exhausting! Phew.
- Attention and focus means you can have true connection.
Focus to Truly Connect
Why I find this fascinating in this world of people and why I am writing this on our branding and marketing business blog? Well, I am floored by human beings and how with research we can unearth truths we haven’t thought much about but perhaps have struggled through quite a bit. As a marketing and branding company I strive to better understand the people I want to reach. We are all bombarded by the intake of news, social media feeds, and advertisements. Although much of what I just listed on getting your attention helps amplify my client’s messages I also know that we all don’t need the added noise and overload but we need to truly connect.
Focus to truly connect transcends mere mindfulness. When we connect and align with one another we can better build lasting relationships. That’s the best way to stick in our consumers’ minds, connecting often couples with being seen and heard. Our content writer, Meredith made an excellent point in her answer to a question: “Do you have advice to a business that wants to connect with their community and customers these days?”
Her excellent answer: “It’s simple, ask the people what they want.”
Focus. Notice. Ask. Connect.
