From the moment we wake, our minds race. We intuitively know that we would be better off if we’d quiet our mind so we could think clearly. At that moment, our phones ding or light up and… SQUIRREL! We’re distracted.
In a world that often resembles a three-ring circus, channeling your inner ringmaster is more crucial than ever. Achieving what matters demands discipline, and that begins with taming our monkey mind, letting the squirrels find other nuts and bursting all the focus busters we encounter throughout our day.
If you’re thinking “Hey, don’t be so judgy, comparing life to a circus or presuming that I work with a bunch of clowns,” then you’ve forgotten how exciting a circus show can be when extraordinary skills and abilities come together with experienced talent to deliver a spell-binding performance. You leave exhilarated and inspired to join the circus!
In the movie “UP,” the animators poke fun at how so many dogs are immediately distracted when they see or hear “SQUIRREL” The parallels to human behavior with mobile phones and other shiny objects are so uncanny that they’re funny.
So, grab your top hat and prepare to discover ten habits that will transform you into a focused ringmaster, leaving distractions swinging from the trapeze.
Success is not just about taming lions; it's about mastering the entire circus, from the trapeze to the center ring.
– P.T. Barnum, an American showman, businessman and politician best remembered for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus
Welcome to the Big Top… your rise ritual
Welcome the day with a magical morning routine. A carefully crafted routine sets the stage for a successful day however you may define that. By incorporating specific activities that center yourself and quiet your monkey mind, like meditation, gentle stretching or other movement and planning, you establish a foundation that prepares you for whatever lies ahead.
Why it matters: How a Daily Routine Can Help You Be More Productive and Live a Happier Life
Thanh Pham, Asian Efficiency’s founder and CEO, acknowledges that we’re not all morning people. For a different way of looking at how you start your day, whatever the hour, listen to Asian Efficiency’s podcast TPS 407 From Morning Routine to Rise Ritual: Be Consistent and Have a Great Day.
Schedule focus time and a daily digital detox
What gets scheduled gets done. Disciplined ringmasters plan their week by building time blocks into each day that enable them to focus on a priority task or perform some deep work.
To create the environment conducive for focus, find a space with minimal distractions. A digital detox doesn’t have to be a major announcement on your social feed or last for an extended period. You can simply turn off non-essential pings and dings, declutter your digital tent and embrace the tranquility of focused work.
A true ringmaster knows the power of timed acts. The Pomodoro Technique, with its 25-minute performances followed by 5-minute intermissions, is a time-honored method to keep your monkey mind from swinging aimlessly.
Monkey mind management tips:
- Consider tools like StayFocusd or Freedom that block distracting websites to put your monkey mind on a leash during work hours.
- Enhance your focus with apps like Focus@Will or Noisli, creating a harmonious environment for your circus.
- A simple search for “focus music” on YouTube will generate hundreds of options and thousands of hours of background sounds to sooth your soul.
One banana at a time
Let’s face it. The performer in us loves to juggle. While we love for others to see how we’re able to manage all three (or more) rings in the circus of our lives at the same time, the studies are definitive: Multitasking is a myth.
Research has proven that multitasking actually takes 40% more time than focusing on one task at a time. The reality is we task or context switch. It can take more than 25 minutes to resume a task after being interrupted.
Don’t believe it? Read Why Multitasking Is a Myth That’s Breaking Your Brain and Wasting Your Time
Single tasking is considered more efficient and effective because it allows your brain to focus all its attention and resources on the task at hand, reducing the potential for distractions and errors. When you’re working on something important, prioritize tasks and give each your undivided attention.
Monkey mind management tip: Adopt the 2-Minute Rule – if a task takes less than two minutes, tackle it immediately. While you can’t spend your whole day completing trivial tasks, it’s often more efficient to do the task than add it to your To Do list, schedule and track it.
The bottom line: To get more done, we’re better focusing on one banana at a time. Tame your monkey mind before turning to all the clowns that just poured out of the tiny car.
Plan with purpose
Before the circus begins, ringmasters plan meticulously. Plan your day with clarity — set clear goals, break them down into manageable acts. The next step is arguably the most important… schedule the time to work on those goals on your calendar. This empowers you to direct the show one act at a time.
Monkey mind management tip: If ever you find yourself experiencing Ground Hog Day (i.e., in a cycle where you keep repeating the same steps over and over again) and asking “Why do I keep doing this,” embrace the monkey mind’s curiosity, using Asian Efficiency’s “3-Times Rule” to help you solve recurring problems.
In the circus of life, be the ringmaster, not the monkey.
– Amit Kalantri, a master magician and professional mentalist
Mindful Breaks
Even in the circus, performers need a breather. Incorporate mindful breaks into your day. Whether it’s a stroll under the canopy or a quick mindfulness exercise, recharge your focus for the next spectacle. See “Pomodoro Technique” above.
Declutter Your Circus Tent
A ringmaster’s tent is organized. Clear the clutter from your physical space to declutter your monkey mind. A clean, organized environment minimizes distractions and maximizes your ability to stay focused. The “clean slate” approach is your ticket to a focused and clutter-free performance.
The Power of “No”
Do you ever find yourself saying, “It’s not my monkey, not my circus. But I sure find myself cleaning a lot of cages?”
Ringmasters don’t spend much time cleaning up the mess others have left. It’s not that they’re above the work. They simply hold others accountable for the work they do or haven’t done. They also don’t let uninvited acts steal the spotlight.
Learn to say “no” to nonessential tasks and commitments. Guard your time fiercely; it’s your greatest asset and most-scarce resource in the circus.
Monkey mind management tip: Apply the “Sprint, Rest, Reflect” philosophy – regularly pause, reflect, and adjust your performance to maintain focus and productivity.
“Yes, If” Negotiation
If you’re like many people, you hate to say “No.” In some cases, it’s unwise or you simply can’t. That said, it’s important to remember that so much in life is a negotiation. That was a life lesson my dad taught me early. He’d say, “The answer is always ‘no’ if you don’t ask.”
When you’re approached to take on more, especially if it’s something that’s not aligned with your objectives or you feel you must do it, become a negotiation master instead of saying “no” outright.
Monkey mind management tip: Say “Yes, if” to additional work or responsibility, but with conditions. Whether it’s extending a deadline, securing additional resources or some other consideration.
This approach demonstrates your willingness to lean in while simultaneously acknowledging the elephant in the room… you’re overallocated and accepting the task outright piles a load of stress onto your shoulders. This also helps to ensure your performance better aligns with your priorities and capabilities.
The One Minute Manager’s monkey magic
The One Minute Manager, written by Kenneth Blanchard Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson M.D. offers a powerful image when it comes to problem-solving. When someone approaches you with an issue, imagine they have a monkey on their back. It’s often the case that the person approaching you wants to hand that monkey over to you.
Offer to help, sure, but with a quick, focused discussion to identify problems and develop solutions. The key isn’t just to solve the problem but to ensure that when the individual leaves, they take the metaphorical monkey – the issue or concern – with them.
Monkey mind management tip: Encourage a sense of ownership and responsibility so your circus performers can continue their acts with a lighter load, promoting a culture of empowerment and accountability under the big top of productivity
At the end of the day… let it go
At the end of the day, it’s fitting to channel your inner Elsa and “Let it go!”
Cap off the circus day with an evening routine. Start by clearing the mental clutter, moving any unfinished tasks to the next day’s To Do list. Step away from all your blue screens, quiet your monkey mind, reflect on the day’s performances and set the stage for rejuvenating sleep.
Monkey mind management tip: Consider Asian Efficiency’s advice to create an evening routine that signals to your monkey mind that it’s time to wind down.
- Read => The 7Ps of a Highly Effective Evening Routine
- Listen => 3 Steps To Create An Evening Routine To Sleep Better
Parting thoughts
Life is a grand circus; it's all about the tightrope walks, juggling acts, and breathtaking performances in the face of challenges.
– Charlie Chaplin, an English comic actor, filmmaker and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film
Remember, focus is a skill honed through consistent practice. Embrace and strengthen these ten ringmaster habits and watch as your ability to tame the monkey mind and avoid the squirrels allows you to direct the circus of life with greater insight, precision and energy.
Inspire on!