How to Harness Focused Action

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 used to think my struggle with focus was a productivity issue. Turns out, it was a neurological one. I’m not joking when I say this: The same part of your brain that helps you regulate emotions, craft powerful sales stories, and write C-suite proposals… ...is also the part that atrophies when you binge on dopamine: email, social, Slack, “quick wins.” Most reps aren’t lazy. Their brain is just out of shape. Here’s how to fix that: A few years ago, I hired a personal trainer. He put me through absolute hell: bear crawls, single-leg squats, ring pushups. Halfway through, I looked at him and said: “Why does this feel impossible?” His answer? “Because your muscles aren’t developed… yet. You’re not used to this kind of resistance.” And it hit me right then—this is exactly what happens in sales. When reps avoid writing POVs, building business cases, or planning strategic outreach…it’s not just procrastination. It’s brain fatigue. 🧠 The science: Your prefrontal cortex controls future planning, storytelling, emotional regulation—everything required for deep sales work. But most reps are addicted to short-term dopamine: → inbox clearing → CRM busy work → social scrolling → chasing tiny, meaningless tasks These spike the nucleus accumbens—the brain’s pleasure center. Do it enough, and you’ve trained your brain to crave easy wins and avoid deep work. And when the deep work finally arrives? Just like that first day at the gym... …it hurts. But there’s good news: You can re-train your brain. Just like you build physical muscle, you can build mental muscle. It starts with prefrontal reps. Here’s the 21-day protocol I now give to every rep I coach: Step 1: Buy a stack of index cards Step 2: Every morning, write down ONE deep work task: → Craft a POV → Build a deck → Write a cold email to an exec → Record a 1:1 video Step 3: Do it FIRST. No dopamine until the card is done. Step 4: Repeat for 21 days. Add a second task in week 2. A third in week 3. Do this and watch your brain change. Watch how you suddenly want to update your deck. Want to send strategic emails. Want to go deeper into your accounts. It’s not magic. It’s neuroplasticity.

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

3 steps to master productivity: There's a limit on what you can do in a single day. At least competently. Throughout my career as a lawyer I've noticed a clear correlation. The more I try to do in a shorter period of time, the more the quality of my work product suffers. Small mistakes emerge. The polish on my final product loses its shine and becomes smudged. Here's what to do instead: 1. Used focused blocks. Limit your work to 2 or 3 hour blocks on a single task. This practice stops your brain from wasting energy on constant task transitions. Each switch incurs a cognitive penalty, and you have to reboot your brain to download the context surrounding the task. Focused blocks avoid frequent mental transitions and promote deep work. They enhance your concentration, and improve the quality of your end work product. 2. Reduce daily priorities If you can, set a maximum of 3 priorities each day. This approach prevents you from overloading your schedule and stepping into counterproductive territory. Stop saying yes to every assignment. Don't be afraid to turn away potential clients. With fewer priorities, your focus sharpens, and you give each task the attention it deserves. 3. Segment your day Dedicate specific parts of your day to distinct activities, often called "chunking". In the context of productivity, "chunking" refers to the practice of breaking up the workday into distinct, manageable segments or chunks of time dedicated to specific tasks or types of work. For example, you can dedicate the first two hours of your workday solely to deep work, then chunking email responses and meetings into later, more fragmented parts of the day. Try just one of these strategies and see what kind of difference it makes with your productivity and quality of your work. Follow me, James Kamanski, for more insights on personal growth! ♻ if you found value 🙏

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

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. ⏳⁣ ⁣ “𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺!”⁣ “𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦.”⁣ ⁣ But no matter how many strategies I tried or how many planners I bought, the overwhelm remained. Then, it hit me: Time wasn’t the issue. Focus was.⁣ ⁣ 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲—we can’t create more of it (even though we’d love to). But focus? That’s where the secret lies. 🔑 Here’s what I’ve learned:⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.⁣ Not all tasks are created equal. Define your priorities and let go of what doesn’t align with what you truly need.⁣ 2️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀.⁣ Ever notice HOW HARD it is to concentrate when you’re exhausted? Protect your energy by setting boundaries and taking care of your mental and physical health.⁣ 3️⃣ 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳.⁣ The key is to learn how to work smarter. Turn off notifications, create a dedicated workspace, and reclaim your attention. One technique that can help a lot is the Pomodoro method, which involves focusing fully for 25 (or even 45) minutes without distractions, followed by a 5—to 10-minute break.⁣ 4️⃣ 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀.⁣ I like to say, “If it is scheduled, it will get done.” Align your calendar with your priorities, not just your obligations.⁣ ⁣ The moment I stopped chasing “more time” and started cultivating better focus, everything changed. I accomplished more, stressed less, and felt deeply aligned with my goals.⁣ ⁣ So, what about you? Do you really need more time—or is it time to refocus? 🧠✨ ⁣ P.S.: Credits to the owner of the image. #TimeManagement #Focus #Leadership #Resilience ⁣

We're not using our time wisely. Juggling a multitude of responsibilities as a female founder is no easy fit. It’s Tuesday. Your client has called an emergency meeting. You are a small company and one of your key personnel has called in sick. You have a tight deadline coming up. Your car needs to go to the garage. Your child has a docs appointment this week. Your kids schools have their conferences on this week. Your husband is out of town. You’re a single mother. Period! Your mind just can’t focus right now. You get the point!! What lies ahead doesn’t have to feel like a hustlers life. Here’s a simple technique can help boost your productivity during the few hours you have for work. The Pomodoro Technique is my go to nowdays and it works wonders. Here's how you can implement it in your daily routine: 📌First, set aside a couple of hours each to focus on your business. 📌Call this your focus time and allow yourself to believe that if you do not show up for it, you are stealing from your business. Set Up Your Environment Create a distraction-free workspace by: - Turning off notifications on your devices - Using website blockers to limit access to distracting sites - Finding a quiet space to work or using noise-cancelling headphones Plan Your Tasks Start your day by: - Identifying your most important tasks - Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks - Estimating how many pomodoros each task will take Use a Timer Choose a timer that works for you: - A physical timer (like the original tomato-shaped one) - A digital timer app on your computer or phone - A web-based timer like Pomodor or Marinara Timer Follow the Pomodoro Cycle 1. Set your timer for 25 minutes 2. Work on a single task with full focus until the timer rings 3. Take a 5-minute break 4. Repeat steps 1-3 four times 5. After four pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break Track Your Progress Keep a record of your completed pomodoros to: - Measure your productivity - Identify areas for improvement - Motivate yourself to stay consistent Adjust as Needed Customize the technique to fit your work style: - Experiment with different work/break intervals - Adapt the method for meetings or collaborative work - Be flexible with unexpected interruptions Stay Consistent Make the Pomodoro Technique a habit by: - Using it regularly, even on busy days - Gradually increasing the number of pomodoros you complete - Reflecting on your progress and adjusting your approach as needed The key to making this a success is to maintain focus during work intervals and truly disconnect during breaks. With practice, you’ll be amazed at how effective you can be. Let me know which technique works for you in the comments.