Section 3 Focus: How to prioritize and eliminate distractions

What is Focus?

Our attention is constantly under siege. From endless notifications like emails, Slack messages, and social media, to life’s daily demands like family and household responsibilities, it’s no wonder we often feel stretched thin. As entrepreneurs, this impact is amplified. We’re responsible for so much within our businesses: setting direction, making decisions, hiring, business development, and client management. When pulled in so many directions, it’s easy to end up with an overwhelming task list and a sense of not making real progress.

This is why one of an entrepreneur's greatest challenges is choosing where to place and how to maintain their focus.

What is Focus? It’s where you place your attention.

The Significance of Focus: Prioritization and Distraction

Focus is one of the most powerful levers for productivity. It’s also the lever that’s most easily adjusted and it can swing both ways. When you focus on the right things, you’re more likely to make progress; focus on the wrong things, and productivity can come to a standstill.

The challenge of focus boils down to two core issues: prioritization and distraction.

• Prioritization – Identifying which problems are most important to solve.

• Distractions – Anything that interrupts or diverts your focus.

These two elements are interconnected. You may know what your priorities are, but if you can’t eliminate distractions, productivity suffers. On the flip side, prioritizing the wrong work can stall meaningful progress. Without mastering these skills, entrepreneurs tend to get stuck in cycles of urgency or chase after shiny new ideas. This can leave them feeling “busy” but often asking at the end of the day, “What did I actually accomplish?” This cycle often leads to burnout, frustration, and sometimes, business failure.

In contrast, those who master focus become skilled executors. They work with clarity, speed, and purpose, saying “no” more often because they’re clear on what matters most. They embody the principle of being slow to rush but quick to execute.

By effectively prioritizing and minimizing distractions, your productivity improves dramatically.

The Fight to Focus

We live in a world constantly competing for our attention. Being called “users” highlights the battle we’re facing. Our environment directly impacts our ability to focus, and as our focus wanes, the time it takes to accomplish anything grows.

Task Switching and Interruptions

Every time we switch between tasks, our brains need time to refocus. Constant interruptions, like notifications, loud noises, and unscheduled meetings, force your brain into task-switching mode. This back-and-forth hinders sustained focus, making it much harder to complete tasks effectively.

Rushing through todo lists

When we fill our days with endless tasks, we tend to rush, which impacts the quality of our work. The result? We overwork ourselves, yet the list never seems to shrink, making it difficult to feel progress. You burnout. The reality is, you can’t do everything. You must learn to identify what work is most important and focus on that.

Be Slow to Rush and Quick to Execute

As entrepreneurs, we’re often told that speed and action are "hacks" to reaching goals faster. While taking action is essential for progress, it’s crucial to differentiate between meaningful action and mere busyness, between focused execution and rushing.

Take a moment to slow down. Identify your highest-priority tasks, and determine how to execute them with intention. By clarifying both the “what” and “how,” you produce higher-quality work, reduce stress, and make measurable progress. Though it may seem counterintuitive, focusing on less allows you to produce more.

Focus on what matters most, eliminate distractions, and give yourself the time to execute well.

Be Slow to Rush and Quick to Execute.

Focus and Faith : The Fight Against Busyness

As Christians, we are not immune to the struggle for focus. In fact, we may face even more distractions. We are not just physical beings but spiritual ones, engaged in a battle against forces that seek to make us ineffective for God’s kingdom. As Christian entrepreneurs, we step into spaces where our faith is kept at arm’s length. Society tells us to “leave faith at home,” yet we cannot. We are called to share the Gospel. As we step into these arenas, we will face physical and spiritual resistance. 

One of Satan’s most effective tools to make us busy. When we let busyness consume us, we take our focus off God. We begin to rely solely on ourselves. Our mindset shifts to a performance-based worth, and our identity becomes entangled in our productivity and successes. This false gospel of achievement breeds fear of failure and anxiety, as we constantly try to reach a moving goalpost. 

When we are busy, we often miss God’s voice. Burnout and discontent may set in, leading us to question God’s involvement in our work and lives:

• “Why aren’t you doing something?”

• “Why am I not achieving the success I want?”

• “God hasn’t helped me; I did this on my own.”

This attitude can lead us to blame others, our spouses, children, business partners, or even God, for our struggles and dissatisfaction. Busyness can also block us from seeing the needs of those around us, as we lack the time to serve or show kindness.

Place our focus on God.

To keep our focus on God, we need to create intentional space to seek him each day. This means humbling ourselves in prayer, reading his Word, and staying rooted in community. It takes commitment and sacrifice. We have to prioritize this space. This may mean reducing our workload, or getting up earlier to spend the time we need with God. As we place our focus on God, we slow down and our perspective shifts. We start to see our work as a means of serving His vision, and we align our actions with His purpose. In this slowing down, we find rest, drawing from a well of peace and purpose that only God can provide.

Anchoring our focus on God transforms how we work, live, and serve. It reminds us of the true source of our peace and worth, which doesn’t come from our performance but from Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s love for us.

• John 16:33 — “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”

• John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Finding Strength and Rest in Him

Not only does Jesus provide salvation, but he also understands our struggles. He invites us to cast our anxieties on Him and assures us that when we are weary, he offers true rest.

• Hebrews 4:15-16 — “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

• 1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

• Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

As we work, we do so with gratitude not to earn God’s favor, but as an outpouring of love for the Savior who redeemed us. We work for God, not for human masters. Our lives belong to Him, and as His children, we have the assurance that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us.

• Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

• Romans 8:15-16 — “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

• John 14:3 — “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Personal Struggle with Focus

Focus has a unique and powerful place in my journey. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD, a discovery that came well into adulthood. Growing up, I managed fairly well in structured environments like school. But as I entered adulthood, the demands of a job, marriage, homeownership, and parenting, it became harder to keep up. My ADHD became more and more difficult to ignore.

In many ways, ADHD has been my superpower. It fuels my creativity and enables intense bursts of hyper-focus, allowing me to be exceptionally productive for short periods. I have a knack for connecting unrelated ideas, which has often brought a unique perspective to business and personal challenges. But on a daily basis, maintaining focus on what truly matters is a challenge.

To improve, I worked on creating habits and structuring my environment for success. Yet, I reached a point where I felt stuck and needed support. This realization led me to work with a coach who helped me focus in ways I hadn’t thought possible. With his guidance, I learned how to set direction and prioritize effectively, which eventually led me to seek a medical professional who diagnosed me with ADHD. Getting that diagnosis was transformative. It provided me with insights into my needs and introduced me to tools and resources for support. Medication became one of those tools, helping me place my focus where it needed to be, instead of constantly battling to rein it in.

Working with my coach, understanding ADHD, and finding the right resources has been instrumental in improving my marriage, friendships, and work. None of this would have been possible without the support of my wife and my coach.

If you need help, don’t hesitate to seek it. The resources and strategies I share come from personal experience and learning. I hope my journey encourages you; if I can improve my productivity despite the challenges, you can too.

Exercises and Strategies for Focus:

To improve focus, we must hone in on two essential skills: prioritization and managing distractions. These exercises and strategies will guide you in prioritizing effectively and cutting down on distractions.

Prioritization and Vision

Effective prioritization requires a clear vision. Your vision is your roadmap, providing direction and purpose to your daily efforts. If you haven’t taken the time to define where you’re headed, consider prioritizing time to clarify your vision. Without a destination, it becomes nearly impossible to know what steps will get you there.

Frameworks to Prioritize 

1. Eat the Frog
   Begin each day with your most challenging and impactful task. Tackling the hardest task first sets a productive tone and removes the mental burden of avoiding it. It may not be pleasant, but you’ll feel relief and momentum once it’s done.

2. Eisenhower Matrix
   This classic prioritization tool, named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, organizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:

   • Do (Urgent and Important): Complete these tasks right away.

   • Schedule (Important but Not Urgent): Set aside dedicated time to work on these tasks.

   • Delegate (Urgent but Not Important): Assign these tasks to someone else.

   • Delete (Not Urgent and Not Important): Remove these tasks to focus on what truly matters. 

3. ADE (Automate, Delegate, Eliminate)

   • Automate: Use systems or tools to handle repetitive tasks.

   • Delegate: Pass on tasks that don’t require your unique expertise.

   • Eliminate: Cut out nonessential tasks that don’t align with your vision.

4. Pull Method (by Cal Newport)
   Create two lists:

   • Active List: One to two tasks you’re currently focused on.

   • Non-Active List: All other tasks you’ll tackle in the future.

   • When you complete a task on the Active List, pull in a new one from the Non-Active List. This helps you stay focused on top priorities while still moving forward.

5. 1, 2, 3 Method
   Each day, choose:

   • 1 big, essential task: If you complete this, the day is a success.

   • 2 medium-important tasks: It’s ideal to complete these.

   • 3 small tasks: These are lower priority and can be left for another day if needed.

   • This method keeps you productive without overwhelming you, enabling you to make steady, intentional progress each day.

Evaluate for Alignment with Vision

If prioritizing feels challenging, it might be because your tasks aren’t aligned with your vision. To help, ask yourself:

• How does this task bring me closer to my vision?

If you’re unsure, revisit your vision and mission statements or review the Vision and Mission sections that helped you define them. Ensuring alignment can simplify prioritization and keep your efforts focused on what matters most.

Eliminating Distractions

Reducing environmental distractions can dramatically enhance focus and productivity. Here’s a breakdown of strategies to identify and minimize distractions effectively.

Identify Your Distractions

1. List Your Distractions: Identify what tends to distract you. It could be phone notifications, social media, clutter, or even internal distractions like hunger or fatigue.

2. Find Common Themes: Are your distractions primarily digital, environmental, or physical needs? Recognizing the types you struggle with will help you find specific solutions.

Reduce Digital Distractions

1. Turn Off Notifications: Silence non-essential notifications on your phone and computer.

2. Focus Mode: Use Focus or Do Not Disturb settings during work hours.

3. Batch Email Responses: Designate times for checking emails to prevent constant interruptions.

4. Social Media Boundaries: Limit or remove social media apps from your phone or restrict access to specific times.

5. Busy Status: Use “busy” statuses on Slack or other messaging apps to signal you need uninterrupted time.

6. Skip the Streaming: Watching Netflix while working is often a focus-killer. Choose to fully engage with one task at a time.

7. Digital Minimalism Tools: Consider single-purpose tools like a Remarkable tablet to limit distractions. The Remarkable, for example, is a digital notebook without internet or notifications.

Optimize Your Space

1. Create a Calm Workspace: A clean, quiet, and clutter-free space makes it easy to focus.

2. Choose Productive Audio: Whether you prefer white noise, instrumental music, nature sounds, or silence, choose what helps you focus.

3. Natural Lighting: If possible, work near natural light to keep up with your natural circadian rhythms.

Develop a Healthy Routine

1. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity boosts focus, reduces stress, and increases energy.

2. Prioritize Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for mental clarity and productivity.

3. Eat for Energy: Choose foods that provide steady energy throughout the day and avoid sugar crashes.

4. Meditation/Prayer: Take a few moments to pause, meditate, or pray. These practices recharge your mind and can offer peace and clarity.

5. Time-Blocking: Pre-schedule your work and break times to stay organized and focused.

You don’t need to adopt every strategy immediately. Pick a few that resonate with you and see how they impact your focus. We all have unique preferences and environments that influence our productivity, so find what best suits your needs and make adjustments over time.

How to Implement Time Blocking

Time blocking is a powerful method to structure your day, stay focused, and ensure you’re making meaningful progress on priorities. Here’s a breakdown of my approach:

1. Start with a Weekly Review
   Each week, I review my task list and use a prioritization framework to focus on what’s important and urgent. This gives me a bird's-eye view of the week ahead and allows me to identify my top priorities.

2. Identify Your Daily Priority
   The night before, I ask myself, “What’s the one thing I need to accomplish to make tomorrow productive?” This task becomes my primary focus for the next day, making it easier to start the day with purpose.

3. Anchor High-Priority Tasks
   With meetings already in my calendar, I prioritize my highest-impact task first thing in the morning. Early in the day, interruptions are less likely, so this time is reserved for critical work. This way, even if unexpected distractions arise later, my essential work is done.

4. Fill in the Rest of Your Day
   Once the top priority is set, I block out time for other urgent tasks. I also include breaks, lunch, and buffer time to handle unforeseen interruptions or delays, which keeps me balanced and focused throughout the day.

5. Build in Flexibility
   Instead of blocking out the whole week in advance, I only plan a day or two ahead. This makes my schedule more adaptable and allows me to accommodate any last-minute client meetings. By the night before, my schedule for the next day is usually stable, and I’m able to adjust it as needed.

Why This Works

Starting each week with a clear list of priorities keeps my focus on execution, not constant decision-making. Having my most critical task completed early on means that, when interruptions happen later in the day, they’re less disruptive. Additionally, planning only a couple of days at a time lets me maintain flexibility, so I can accommodate clients and changes without disrupting my core schedule.

Get Help

Even though I knew of many of these strategies, I still needed additional help prioritizing and staying focused. If this sounds like you reach out to Jacob@anchorcoaching.co or book a quick call on my calendar. Let's get you unstuck and productive.

Resources

Podcasts

Huberman Lab with Andrew Huberman. Find practical ways to boost performance.

Deep Questions with Cal Newport. Learn from the best at creating an environment to focus.

Cal Newport guest episode on the Huberman Lab - Fantastic episode from two productivity experts.

Books

Deep Work and Slow Productivity By Cal Newport - Both books highlight ways to remove distractions and focus longer

The 4 Hour Work Week By Tim Ferris - This book is filled with ideas on how to ruthlessly prioritize and remove things from your plate.