The secret to focus

Photo by Zachary Keimig on Unsplash

Steve Jobs explains the secret to focus

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.”

Laugh at yesterday (The Beach Boys)

Photo by Rohan Makhecha on Unsplash

Right here, right now: first day back at school for the sprint finish to the year, Term 4. Well, for the seniors anyway. Basically they have three weeks of school and then go on exam leave.

The revision trick is all about focus. Qui Gon-Jinn's phrase is overused by me, I know, but it's so apt: your focus determines your reality.

To help focus I offer these great ideas from an Edutopia article on 'brain breaks'.

I've heard our students use this term but they regard it as a break from study and not a sharpening of their focus.

There are some great activities in the article. Read it! What have you got to lose? And you could gain some focus. 

It's within your grasp!

Lots of people talkin', few of them know (Led Zeppelin)

I'm human. I can only concentrate on one task at a time.

My focus determines my reality. If I'm truly focused (playing football, reading a book, watching a film, talking to someone on the phone) I never hear my wife talking to me. Ever.

I can't multi-task.

But here's the thing, nor can anyone else!! Even my wife!

Focus doesn't work that way.

Multi-tasking is more than walking and chewing gum, Multi-tasking involves concentrating on doing more that two things at once at a higher level.

Try talking one on one to a colleague about something important and texting someone else at the same time. Won't happen. Scratch that - it could happen but the text and/or the conversation will be a train wreak.

A study at the University Of London showed that subjects who multi-tasked while performing cognitive tasks experienced significant IQ drops. In fact, the IQ drops were similar to what you see in individuals who skip a night of sleep or who smoke marijuana.

But wait, there's more - new research suggests the possibility that cognitive damage associated with multi-tasking could be permanent.

So, multi-tasking is bad for all of us. Even women!! 

Try telling that to my wife, and she won't believe you!!

Advice for the young at heart (Tears For Fears)

Distractions can come in all shapes and sizes.

I get distracted very easily.

This week I've been distracted by a new laptop (with a bigger screen) and getting it looking like I want it to - including making adjustments to my blogs.

Amidst all those distractions I did manage to find these gems for you (you're welcome):

1 The interweb is a huge distraction
And it's making us dumber!

2 Ways to beat distraction
Yes - really. Want the energy and ability to stay focused? Read this! Exhausting but fun!

3 Now - keep your students engaged
Okay - once you are zen calm and focused you can help your students stay engaged.

4 Bad behaviour
Distractions can lead to anger and anger can lead to hate (apologies to Yoda). This article provides food for thought on the stuff behind that bad behaviour you're coping with in the classroom.

5 Just saying
Love this Edutopia list of things we should NEVER say in a classroom. Been guilty of a few of these in my younger, less emotionally intelligent years.