Can't focus? Try this.

Today when I started my 750 words practice, I was finding it hard to concentrate.

I realized that I was distracted by the border around the window of my web browser where I could see these other windows and applications open on my computer. So I did the quick fix of expanding the window to full screen.

Right after I sighed in relief of seeing nothing but the window I was writing in did I realize I had quite a few tabs open that I could still see. Not being ready to close those tabs in hope they will remind me later of a few projects I wanted to return back to today I had the insight to take this tab I'm wrist gin and make it a window on it's own.

After expanding this single tab to full screen I thought, "Yeah, that's it."

Then my eyes expanded farther to the chaos surrounding me on this desk.

I had a flashback to this blog I wrote almost exactly a month ago.

[Side-note: Is this the time of the month or moon where mess really gets to me???]

But here's what I did:

Determined to make this writing session a joy, I took about 90 seconds and tidied what I could. I consolidated various piles of paper into one and tucked them away to be dealt with later. I found two piece of mail that needed to be dealt with asap and put them in the newly cleared area. I found several pens, markers, and clips and put them in the homes they already have. I threw away a few things. There were a few cherished items that are now displayed on the shelf where I can adore them.

Chaos is now at bay and I'm in the flow of writing.

It only took me all of two minutes to get to a place where I could focus with ease.

Sometimes I tell myself that my inability to focus at any given time means there's something wrong with me, or I realize it has to do with the mess around me and it feel overwhelming and hopeless because "it will take me hours to get this cleaned and organized."

Today I found agency and the middle way. My motivation to focus isn't about me, but the environment I'm surrounded by which I have control over. The reality is often now about one extreme of uber-tidy or a total mess, but in making a small enough change to make a difference.

Next time you're having a hard time focusing, start with the immediate space around you or the project you're working on.

Turn on full screen mode. Close tabs or applications you're not using (or at least make them invisible). For god's sake, put your phone on silent and in a place where you can't see it. Take a minute to bring your dirty dish to the sink, throw away some trash, maybe light a candle or incense.

You'll be amazed at how much a small change can help you increase your focus and motivation. Not only can you get the thing done, you might also be able to do it with some joy now that you've lessened your burden of distractions.