Starting Fresh, Staying Focused

It’s hard to focus when you are tired. I’m easily swayed when I’m tired. My best time to plan my day and develop my focus is in the morning and not late at night. There was a time when the late night was typical – younger body, fresher mind, and shift work that kept me out of sync with a nocturnal schedule.

Today, I’m starting early, freshly rested, and keeping my focus razor-sharp to accomplish my goals.

It’s a thin line between success and failure, love and hate, laughter and tears. That line can either be fruitful or a complete waste of time. Why make everything so complicated? I know what works for me, so let’s do what works and quit trying to determine alternatives.

Occam’s razor is a philosophical principle that states the simplest explanation is usually the best. For me, I’m a morning person. That’s when I think, write, and do my best. Quit reinventing the wheel and go with the one you know that works.

Maybe that’s why I enjoyed archery so much. William Tell, Robinhood, and others always showed it was easy to sling an arrow to a bulls eye every time, but the days and hours of practice are never focused on. My instructor (I was 24 or so) taught me the key points of a good shoot, and if I would learn what works for me, then I could be ready any time. Know my draw length, and I have long arms so that means 31 inches is comfortable. Not 28 inches which seems to be the normal. Anchor point at my ear, finger at the tip of the arrow to help me focus, both eyes open, consider the conditions, aim, and then practice, practice, practice.

Morning, Not Mourning

I have a morning routine. Seldom do I need an alarm clock, that internal ticking of wasted hours draws me from sleep like a ladle full of fresh, cold, well water. There’s no stumbling about as my feet awake, except, I do focus on keeping the house dark so as to not disturb my bride, or the shepherds on the porch.

Coffee, hot, dark, and black. Cereal, with a handful of chopped pecans. Check the headlines, read some of God’s Word, think through the devotion of my own making, and then spend an hour writing. Now. Brush my teeth, comb my hair, and make sure I’m ready to face the day. Prepared. Fresh. Focused.

By the time this routine is complete, the noise around the house let’s me know others are moving. Dogs are demanding their morning feed as they tustle and drop rocks on the wooden deck.

Quickly. Check the weather. Gussy up my schedule. Now, get to work!

Watch Out For Dragons

Plans are plans, and that’s all they are. What I start out to do is not always where I finish up my day. I remain fluid to the demands of the day. Distractions are many. The Apostle Paul said to “bring into captivity every thought…” (2 Corinthians 10:5) That’s difficult when you have wide ranging interests and responsibilities. Any social thread can add to your schedule just as a sudden rain squall may force you to abandon your tractor time.

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations,
if you live near one.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

Everytime I mow I face dragons. Only, we call them rocks and we get a new crop every year! Suddenly, the ground pooches them out like the yolk of an egg poking into the fresh weather of the day. There is no mindless mowing as Spring slips into Summer. The drying ground keeps you looking for hazards.

Social media may be called a mine field of ordnance waiting to ruin any day. Your disaster wrecks my schedule if I read your post, or answer your call.

A weak fence and a bounding dog is no match to a settled day.

Explain to me now, why do horses wear blinders when plowing or pulling the surrey? Dragons! Distractions!

Do Your Best

As a young scouting enthusiast, I learned the Motto, “Be Prepared” and the Slogan:

On my honor, I will do my best.
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Maybe that’s what we need in life these days. A motto that is quick to remember and poignant to reflect on at the ending of our day. Maybe you should write your own slogan that tells you how to approach your day.

For years, when things have not gone according to plan, I’ve stepped back and said, “Let’s drop 10 and punt.” If you don’t know football lingo you may not get it, but the concept is to let the punter drop back 10 years for protection, and then kick the ball as far as needed to minimize the other team from being in good field position.

How about you? Do you have a motto, slogan, or another saying that helps you understand the results of your day, or an event? How do you stay focused? What are your insights to feeling fresh? When do you do your best work?

Feel like sharing? I would love to hear your approach!