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Stay Focused

Program your Productivity - Tips for Focus and Flow

• Stay in synch. Understand your body's circadian rhythm so you can schedule prime mental work time during peak "think" time. For many people, this is 6am - 9am for creative/strategic writing and 9am - 12pm for logical/planning work. Complex decision-making skills are generally at their peak between 11am - 12pm. 
• Eat brain food. Stay alert with a protein-rich meal. Eating protein, which encourages the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, is the best way to boost alertness. Go for a cup of low-fat yogurt or three to four ounces of lean skinless chicken. 
• Strategically multitask. When you try to do everything at once, you dilute your efforts and compromise the results. Only multitask when both tasks do not require your full creative energy, such as running on the treadmill and watching the news.  
• Take a "mini-escape." Studies have shown that it is important to take a break every 90-120 minutes for peak performance. Even if you simply take a walk around the block - get up and change your environment.
• Practice meditation. Learning how to meditate can help you harness your energy and increase your ability to focus. There are a variety of techniques. For example, you can focus on your breath, a candle, a word or phrase, a picture or a sound. The key is to practice focusing on one thing. Over time, your mind will become more familiar with this mode. 
• Keep your eye on the prize. Remember why you're doing what you're doing. Hopefully, it ties into a greater vision which becomes your motivating force. If not, maybe you should re-evaluate what you're doing! 
  

Dear Dr. Terri K: This year flew by. I started a business and feel that my energy was somewhat scattered doing a lot of busywork. I didn't make the revenue I wanted. My personal life is also in shambles. I'm gained some weight. I work around the clock and have no time to spend with my girlfriend. She will be my ex if I don't shape up – physically and timewise! How can I make resolutions for my entire life that will really stick?     – BILL, New York

Bill: First, congratulations for taking a moment to reflect and reach out. If you're an entrepreneur, it's even more important to set goals for your personal life, as well as your business. Here are some suggestions to make it easier to start your year off right. It's my Five "R's" of Making & Keeping Resolutions:

• Reflect - Take time to look back on the previous year and do an honest assessment of what you've accomplished. If it's your first year in a new business, you might have been doing some "set-up" work. That’s fine. Think about what worked and what didn't. Make sure to get your eye back on the larger vision.
• Rank - Don't try to change everything in your life at once. Prioritize. Focus on one to three big goals for your business and your personal life. Then break them into smaller, more attainable ones. Develop a detailed action plan for each one.
• Reset – Create an environment of success. If you need to be more efficient in your operations, clean up your office and create a better filing system! If you are trying to lose weight, throw out all of those cookies in your cupboard! You may also have to shift your mindset.
• Review – Keep your goals top of mind, take daily action and review your progress. Mark down quarterly deadlines and milestones so you can better monitor and motivate yourself. If you can, find a commitment partner to help keep you accountable.
• Reward – Treat yourself to supportive rewards for hitting milestones.  If your goal is to manage your budget better, don't reward yourself with a big expensive item – have dinner with some old friends instead. Also, don't beat yourself up if you fall off course, take the learning and simply start again!

Today, take control of your Self. Organize your life around your Purpose. Set specific and realistic goals. It all starts with the Power of Choice!

- T 

Do you have questions about managing a specific stressful situation? Are you confused about certain foods or herbs? Do you need some insights regarding a career shift and discovering your Purpose? Then... Ask Dr. Terri K. Email your questions to askdrterrik@power-living.com.  If you still desire on-going, individualized attention, then try out our one-on-one coaching. For more information, email coaching@power-living.com or call 212.901.6913.