July One Word Challenge: FOCUS

I don't know where this summer has gone - and I up and missed the June One Word Challenge and we're more than a week into July! Heavens!

Honestly, it felt like I was stuck in June forever, and yet it flew by. Does that make sense? No, I don't suppose. May ended with and June started with travel, and you know how wonky time gets when you are away from home. Whatever happened, it's time to shake it off. It's time to get down to business (anytime I say that, I think of my daughter singing the song from Mulan). It's time to FOCUS.

How easy it is to let life slip us by. Without FOCUS, without a target and a renewed sense of belief in your ability to hit that mark, the whole thing blurs and fades. Each of us have goals, targets. How can we do more to live our life in a way that keeps those goals in focus?

First - I'm recommitting to my routine. My morning routine hasn't been as regular as I'd like. On days when I'm not up leading a class I've been slacking and sleeping in. Sure, some days my body tells me that i need it, but most days I just want to stay in bed comfy, warm and snuggled. (The pups make sure that even when I'm the only person in bed, I'm snuggled in tight!)

I enjoyed 5:30am class this morning,a 3000 meter row and a TRX workout afterward, home for about 90 minutes of work, tea and my morning shake, and then out for a 3-mile walk with the pups.  This is a very sustainable schedule for me, but the toughest part is GETTING OUT OF BED when I don't have class.  Time to toughen up. Routines have been proven to help calm the mind and even enhance creativity. While moving through your routine, your mind has more time to notice those inspirational bits that are everywhere.

Second - my "To Do" list is built on weekly goals. Sunday evenings I set the week up. I check my calendar, acknowledge deadlines and benchmarks and resources I need. I'm outlining who I need to speak to or follow up with, who is waiting on me, and how these tasks will help me achieve my weekly goals. Some of my projects I "save up" and knock out all at once. You know the projects that require some uninterrupted focus, it's better to block out 3 hours than to grab 30 minutes here or there.

Third - Getting Outside for ME.  Y'all know that I spend a lot of time out with my pups and taking care of my yard, but I'd like to focus on things that recharge my batteries in a different way. I've been enjoying time on a local lake with my new kayak and that is just what I was looking for. Being active and outdoors is wonderful, but getting to hang with my kiddo or hubster (it's a 2-person kayak) has been a triple bonus! I'm getting some sun, fresh air, exercise, good conversation (when I have someone with me) or great thinking time (when I'm alone).  I always wondered how and why folks who surfed would bother going for just an hour here and there. Now I get it. Kayaking on a local mid-western lake isn't exactly surfing, but I see how the habit of making time for what lights you up, the benefits of activity, sun and water on your soul, and then popping right back into your day makes a lot of sense.


Those are my Big 3. My lists get bigger and bigger every week, and prioritizing what will get me to my goals has to be balanced with what makes me happy, contributes to my emotional health, and builds up and supports my family and friends. Isn't that the trick really? Finding the balance?

I found this reminder while walking around Ventura CA in June.  Life isn't all about the work and the goals and loving the life you live, laughing often and loving selflessly sounds like pretty great goals, too.

Of course I've got a ways to go to find balance in life and it's a constant trial and error system. But guess what? That's what life is!

What helps YOU focus? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks! drop me a comment or find me on social media! I'm heading out for a few laps around the lake!

Side note: What should I name my kayak? Every respectable boat needs a name!

Ciao for now!
<3 jen