You may not know it yet, but you have a big problem. It’s all around you, and it affects your ability to focus, concentrate, and get things done. It also makes you waste your time and energy on things that don’t matter. Stuff that makes you feel good in the moment, but makes you feel worse in the long run.

 

You know what I’m talking about. Junk food, alcohol, drugs, porn, gossip, drama, spending money you don’t really have, or spending way too much time in front of the tv or your social media feed. These things are ruining your life. If that statement makes you uncomfortable or defensive, I would love to hear why, because all of the things I just mentioned exist to either distract us, tempt us, or just numb our pain.

 

But you don’t have to be a slave to your impulses.

 

That’s like settling for mediocrity. Who does that?

 

Recently I posted about directing your focus on five things that really matter. Because they are all intertwined, you can consider them pillars to build a solid foundation for your future.

 

A lot of people struggle when it comes time to focus. I get asked a lot about how to maintain focus when the world surrounds us with distractions and temptations that are everywhere you look. (You watched the Super Bowl, recount the amount of junk food and alcohol commercials you saw).

 

So, what do I tell people who ask about how to overcome the urges to procrastinate, indulge, or use alcohol or drugs to escape their lives?

 

It’s simple: train your ability to focus on the right things by starving all distractions. This means making a conscious decision to eliminate anything that does not serve your goals or well-being. You do this by cutting out the things that drain your energy and motivation. Once you have done that, you can create an environment that supports your growth.

I say that it’s simple, only because the concept itself is simple. But the truth is, this endeavor will be one of the hardest things you ever do. It requires discipline…a lot of it. This process also forces you to go face to face with your excuses and weaknesses which makes a lot of people uncomfortable. But by doing it, you are finally taking responsibility for your life.

 

Before I explain more, I’ll drop a disclaimer here. This newsletter is not for the complacent. It’s for the ambitious, and those who want to make their own legacy.

 

How do you focus on your sobriety? You quit. Either quit cold turkey or quit gradually. Quit by yourself or do it with support. You quit in any way that works for you, but bottom line…you quit.

Listen, you don’t have to look like a pro athlete or a fitness model to be healthy. You just need to be fit and have a functional body. If you have injuries or health conditions and are concerned about working out, you have one resource right in front of you ready to help….me. How do you focus on your physical health? You commit. Commit to a realistic goal and then commit to achieving it. It all starts there.

Since you can’t just plant a money tree, your focus needs to be on planning. Having a plan and sticking to it is the key to achieving your short and long-term goals. I’m not a financial guru, but I know what I want out of life, I know how much it costs, and I develop plans for myself on how to make it happen. The hardest thing about this is fighting impulse. People get cash in their pockets and there is a big temptation to spend. It’s almost like a drug. In fact, it is a drug for some people. This is exactly why focusing on your end financial goals is so damn important.

How do you focus on your intellectual capabilities? Simple, start exploring. Read about something new. Listen to a fresh perspective on a topic that you already know well. Explore those things that have always fascinated and interested you. You’ll be surprised at how fulfilling this is. Focus is the only way for you to expand your knowledge and your skills.

Your mind and emotions also affect your self-esteem and the way you take care of yourself. So how you do focus on this? You do it by observing. Listen to your thoughts and observe your reactions to triggers. If you don’t like what you’re seeing, then it’s time to focus on how your thoughts and feelings are affecting you.

 

I realize that this is a lot to take in. There is a lot about ourselves that we need to focus on, but that is what success requires. Again, these concepts are simple in their design, but require discipline and accountability to execute.

We can become legendary…together.

So now, what I would like to know is what all of you are focused on. Tell me what you’re struggling with, but also, tell me how you’re succeeding. People everywhere are trying to change their lives for the better. This is why I do what I do, but as a community of like-minded people, we can learn from each other. If you’re changing your life for the better, I want to hear about it!

 

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