Focusing When All You Want To Do Is Play
by Melissa King
August 18, 2005

I have to admit, since the summer I have had the most difficult time focusing on this newsletter.  All I have wanted to do is go outside and play!

Have you ever been there?  There's something you need to do, it could take up as little time as cleaning your bedroom or sending out a resume, or as long as taking on an endeavor to lose 20lbs or begin writing a book.

But every time you sit down to take on the task (if you even get that far!), your mind is everywhere else but where you were hoping it would be.  Argh!

So what do you do? 

How do you get into the zone where you start and just can't stop until you've accomplished your task and sometimes more?  You know.  That place where you start out organizing your desk and end up cleaning the entire house as well or you begin to write that report and end up finishing it and three others!

The Zone!

Where do you get the inspiration when the inspiration is just not flowing?

It's usually one of those things that just happens...when you're in it, you're in it, and when you're not...it feels like it's impossible to get there.

The Good News

The good news is that you can make "the zone" happen even when it seems nowhere to be found.  It's fairly simple, you just have to decide.

First you need to get yourself centered.  What exactly are you feeling in this moment?  What is it that you want?  How will you feel if you get this thing done?  How will your life be different? Asking this question can also help you take on the project creatively and authentically.

Second, figure out what you need in order to accomplish the project.  If it's time, decide how much time and when you're going to take it.  If it's a material item, like folders for organizing, decide today that you are going to pick them up on your way home from work.  If it's hiring a health counselor to help you accomplish your health and life goals..make an appointment with me... :-)

Third. Just Do It!  One of the best phrases ever coined was this one.  Often times you just have to decide.  "The Zone" often comes out of inspiration, but it also comes out of just entering in to the space you need to do your work in.  You need to
decide not to do or think about other things and promise yourself that you will get this thing done and it is going to be good!

Writing is such a perfect example.  The best way to overcome writer's block....or in my case, overcoming the desire to go play in the park, is just carving out the time to do it!  See.  This took me five minutes.  I could've spent the next 48 hours using far more time just thinking about doing it, but instead...I now have the satisfaction of completing this weeks newsletter....AND giving you something you can use to move forward in your own life.

Don't close up this e-mail yet.  List the things that are weighing on your mind that need to be taken care of.  Pick one of those things and write down what you need to do to resolve or accomplish the task.  Decide right now that you are going to make it happen today.

xoxo