Hi Reader,

Bottom Line Up Front: Make it a habit to identify and eliminate what steals your focus.

You’ve heard the saying: Where focus goes, energy flows. Or maybe, Just focus, grasshopper! But here’s the truth: you can focus all you want on your business or personal goals, but if you’re not aware of what’s stealing your attention, you’ll never get there.

A Lesson from the Submarine

On my first submarine, the USS Memphis (SSN 691), a fast-attack boat out of Norfolk, Virginia, in the early 1980s, I learned a hard lesson about focus. I was juggling qualifications, my job, and preparing to go to sea—one task at a time. But distractions kept derailing me: a ringing phone, a shipmate stopping by to chat, or an unexpected interruption. My focus wasn’t working, and I was falling behind.

Then my supervisor pulled me aside and barked, “Pay attention!” He showed me that my attention was being stolen, and without addressing that, focus was impossible. That moment changed everything. I realized that to stay focused, you must first master your attention.

The Attention Thief Problem

As a coach, I hear it all the time: clients struggle to focus on daily tasks, big projects, or long-term goals. My first question? What’s stealing your attention? Is it the ping of a new email, scrolling social media, or a co-worker chatting about world events? These attention thieves are the real culprits behind lost focus.

How to Defeat Attention Thieves

Here’s a simple, five-step process to reclaim your attention and sharpen your focus:

• Stop immediately when you realize you’re not focused.
• Identify the thief. What’s pulling your attention away from your task or goal?
• Write it down. Note the distraction, then stop engaging with it.
• Say “Attention!” This military command snaps you back to the present, just like troops called to attention before a critical moment.
• Build a plan. Keep a list of your attention thieves and create strategies to defeat them (e.g., silencing notifications or setting boundaries).

Captain Obvious? Maybe. But yes—it’s that simple. Fix your attention, and your focus will follow, leading to better results and more success.

Take Control Today

Don’t let attention thieves derail your business or goals. Reply with your biggest attention thief, and I’ll share a personalized strategy to help you stay focused. Attention!

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Best,
Michael
​To Getting It Done!

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P.S. Launch your success now with these 3 game-changing tools. Get them now at togettingitdone.com: Expert Coaching, achieve goals, get successful results! Free 30-minute session ($500.00 value) for a limited time - my way of giving back. Free Coaching & Tools, straight to your email inbox, 52 weeks worth (that’s 1 year free). Success stories, toolbook you can use, created from 38 years of Navy experience and success! Please feel free to share this with your team or others that may benefit from “To Getting It Done”! Thank you! ​ MICHAEL A. WHITT To Getting It Done! Website: https://www.togettingitdone.com/​ Email: michael@togettingitdone.com​ Cell: (808) 295-1591​ Q: Have you helped someone else to make the world a better place today? ​​​

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