How to Develop Focus as a Skill

Leaders waste more energy on divided focus than any other activity. I learned this the hard way in the SEAL Teams. During a training evolution, I was juggling radio communications, coordinating multiple teams, and making split-second calls. And I wasn’t doing any of it well. My commanding officer pulled me aside: "Mac, you're everywhere and nowhere. Focus or you'll miss the critical moment." He was right. I was spread so thin I couldn't see the patterns emerging right in front of me. This isn't just a military problem. I see it daily with my executive clients: → Scanning emails during strategy discussions → Mentally rehearsing a presentation while their team shares crucial updates → Attention bouncing between five urgent problems, solving none completely The cost isn't just productivity. Your leadership presence evaporates. Your team's trust erodes. In high-performance environments, attention isn't just a resource. It's your competitive advantage. When you focus fully: → You notice micro-expressions that signal team tension → You spot connections between seemingly unrelated data points → You make decisions from clarity rather than reaction Most leaders know this. Few practice it consistently. The difference isn't knowledge, it's discipline. The solution isn't complicated: 1. Practice intentional monotasking. Whatever deserves your attention deserves your FULL attention. 2. Create attention boundaries. Block time for deep work with zero notifications. 3. Build a daily mindfulness practice. Even 5 minutes trains your focus muscle. 4. Batch-process inputs. Schedule specific times for email and updates rather than letting them hijack your entire day. In my 17+ years as a SEAL, the leaders I trusted most weren't just the smartest or toughest. They were the ones who could maintain complete presence amidst chaos. They showed up fully. Their attention wasn't divided. Their focus created a gravity that pulled teams together. What deserves your full attention today? ——— Follow me (Jon Macaskill ) for leadership insights, wellness tools, and real stories about humans being good humans. And feel free to repost if someone in your life needs to hear this. 📩 Subscribe to my newsletter here → https://lnkd.in/g9ZFxDJG You'll get FREE access to my 21-Day Mindfulness & Meditation Course with real, actionable strategies.

I know you have been there: You lost your motivation. Worse still, the voice in your head starts calling you on the carpet for it. We all have days when staying on task feels impossible. Your to-do list looms large, but your brain would rather scroll social media or reorganize your sock drawer. I've been there more times than I can count.   Over the years, I've developed a toolkit of practical techniques that genuinely work to boost motivation and laser-focus my attention. Today, I'm sharing my top strategies so you can conquer your own productivity demons. The power of micro-goals: Instead of staring down a massive project, I break it into tiny, achievable chunks. The "two-minute rule": If a task takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately. Responding to that quick email or filing that receipt might seem trivial, but it creates a positive feedback loop of getting things done. Give yourself permission to walk away: Sometimes it is important to step away from a task to refresh your perspective and give you new insight on how to address a challenge. Environment matters: I created a dedicated workspace that signals "it's time to focus." I am a creative person, so intentionally making a creative environment is important to me. For you it may mean a clutter-free desk, noise-canceling headphones, and a specific playlist. Physical state: Regular exercise, quality sleep, and proper nutrition are the foundation of sustained motivation. When I neglect these basics, my focus suffers dramatically. Remember, motivation and focus are skills you can develop. Be patient with yourself, experiment to find what works best for you, and celebrate your wins – no matter how small. With consistent effort, you'll unlock levels of productivity you never thought possible. What techniques have worked best for you? Share in the comments – I'd love to learn from your experiences!

Struggling to Stay Focused? Here’s the 3-Minute Shift That Changed My Productivity Forever. I used to wear “busy” like a badge of honor—multiple tabs open, constant notifications, and a to-do list that never ended. Sound familiar? Whether you identify as a focused person or feel constantly distracted, knowing your default setting can be the key to unlocking next-level productivity. Why it matters? Because distraction costs us over 2.1 hours every day. That’s more than 10 hours a week—nearly one full workday lost just to lack of focus (according to a UC Irvine study). And for those of us in leadership, business, or project management, that’s unacceptable. So what did I do? I stopped trying to become someone I’m not—and instead, I learned how to manage my natural tendencies. Here’s the simple strategy I use every morning (yes, you can do this in under 3 minutes): 1. Label Your Mode – I ask: Am I in focus mode or reactive mode today? 2. Frame My Top 3 – I write down the three most important outcomes I must accomplish. Not tasks—outcomes. 3. Designate a Distraction Zone – I block out 2x 15-minute windows each day to check emails, texts, or scroll, guilt-free. The result? I get more done with less stress—and I stop feeling like I’m always behind. Who this is for: If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or creator who feels like they’re constantly starting but rarely finishing… this is for you. Especially if you’ve Googled: • How to improve focus as a busy professional • Why can’t I stay productive? • Morning routine to increase focus You’re not broken—you’re overloaded. And your brain needs a better system, not more hustle. Years ago, I missed a critical opportunity simply because I couldn’t stay focused long enough to reply to the email in time. That was a wake-up call. Now, with this strategy, I never miss the things that matter most. Implement this 3-minute habit for just 5 days, and I promise you’ll feel the shift. Comment below: Are you more focused or unfocused by nature? And what’s YOUR go-to trick for managing it? When you manage your focus, you manage your future. ♻️ I hope you found this valuable, please share with your network. 📌 Click "Follow" and 🔔 #LeadershipDevelopment #FocusAndProductivity #MindfulLeadership

Anyone that I worked with at Total Entertainment Network (later pogo.com /Electronic Arts) remembers Jeff and his kooky hat. It was his tool for protecting his focus/coding time: whenever he needed deep focus time, he'd put on this very silly hat and post a sign on his cube that said something to the effect of "If I'm wearing the hat, don't talk to me." We all thought he was a little eccentric. Looking back? That was brilliant. Here's what he understood that it took me many years to realize: Focus time doesn't just happen. You have to architect it. I shared this story during a recent coaching conversation. My client was struggling with time management because she couldn't get her deeper work done. Sound familiar? Here's what we mapped out together: 🧠 Block focus time like a client meeting and make it sacred. Don't treat it like free time and let other to-do's creep in. 📢 Communicate your system - Let your manager and team know what you're doing. Perhaps have a check in right before you go into your focus time to handle stuff before you go into your Jeff-with-the-hat cave. ⏰ Start small and protect fiercely - Even 60 minutes of uninterrupted time can be transformative for your most complex work. Every ping, every "quick question," every "when you have a sec" fractures your thinking. The code switching can take 15-20 minutes to get back into deep work mode after an interruption. Your focus time isn't selfish - it's strategic. The work that moves the needle forward requires sustained attention, not scattered moments between meetings. What's your version of the weird hat? How do you protect your focus time? #Productivity #TimeManagement #Leadership

I get asked about tools (drugs) for focus all the time. Remember: You can train focus. It’s like a workout. Set a timer for two to three hours. Force yourself to work the entire time. Every time you skip to something else, add 10 minutes. One bathroom break allowed. Next time is easier. People hate this answer, but it’s the only nonpharmacologic way I know to build focus as a skill. Quit seeking perfect conditions, internally and externally. The mental friction means you’re getting better. Don’t forget that. Some people will call this masochistic, but honestly, that’s a weak excuse. Unless you love doing something, it’s going to be hard to focus. But there’s so much power in learning to do it anyway. This skill builds fast. Unfortunately, it also degrades fast. In the world of immense distraction we live in, it takes more and more effort to recover this skill. The payoff gets bigger and bigger, however. Most people are drifting into the noise. Don’t be one of them.