Teacher Reset: Recalibrate Your Focus

One of the best ways to hit the reset button on your life is to recalibrate your focus. And today is all about finding out how to do just that.

Make an actions list and an outcomes list

First things first: Get out a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of it. We’re going to map out your focus and figure out if it’s serving you.

On the left-hand side of your page, you’re going to write down all the things you do in a typical day. From waking up to hitting the hay. What does it consist of? What kind of things are you doing? Include everything from what you eat to what you read or watch on TV, etc. Run through your normal routine, and jot down the things you do on a daily basis. This is your list of actions.

Now, on the right-hand side of the page, write down what’s most important to you — this is your list of outcomes. Think anything from spending quality time with the fam to learning the ukulele, staying physically fit, or being more mindful. Listen to what’s on your heart and write down those things that are most important to you. Got em? Cool.

Do your actions support your desired outcomes?

So you’ve got your two lists — now comes the fun part. Take a look at your actions list. Draw a line from each action to a corresponding outcome. For example, if you wrote “eat a salad”  in your actions list, and your outcomes list includes “achieve optimum health,” you’d want to connect the two because that action is directly linked to the outcome.

Take a little time with this, because you need to really think about whether what you’re focusing on each day is or is not helping you achieve the outcomes you desire for life.

You may find that you can’t really connect the two columns at all. And that’s OK! Most people actually can’t and that’s because life is cray cray, y’all. That’s why you’re reading this. You simply need to adjust your focus. We all do from time to time. Like cleaning out the junk drawer, it’s just one of those things that needs to be done periodically. And, once you do it, you’ll feel like a million bucks.

Refocus your time and energy on what matters most

So here’s the deal: To find a way back to what really matters to you, you’ve got to trim the fat on your actions list. Take a look at each item and determine if it’s essential. If it’s not, cross it out. Be honest with yourself here, too. Even if relaxing and taking time for yourself are outcomes you’d like, you might not need to watch four hours of The Bachelorette a day. Maybe one hour would suffice and you could replace the other three with actions that would support other important outcomes. Make sense?

Once you’ve weeded your actions list, it’s time to plant new seeds. Think of the simplest things you can do each day in support of your outcomes goals. If having an exceptional marriage is super important to you, then carving out even just 30 minutes a day of alone time with your spouse might be an awesome way to be sure you’re nurturing your relationship to achieve your desired outcome.

Live your best life

At the end of this process you should have a clear focus and a new actions list. This is a blueprint for your most fulfilled life. Do everything in your power to make your days mimic this list. It’s how you’ll achieve your goals and live with purpose every step of the way.