#296 If you can’t focus… something will make you focus!

Focus has become our most precious resource in a world designed to steal it. When was the last time you felt truly anchored amid the constant pull of notifications, urgent requests, and endless to-dos? In this powerful episode of Growth Instigators Hotline, we tackle the Monday challenge that affects us all: staying grounded when everything around us demands attention.

Distractions have evolved. They're no longer just loud interruptions—they're strategic invaders disguised as productivity and urgency. They multiply precisely when our priorities lack clarity, and before we realize it, hours vanish while our most important work remains undone. But here's the truth worth embracing: truly successful people aren't the busiest ones in the room—they're the most anchored and focused.

I share three practical strategies to reclaim your focus today: reconnecting to your values as a filtering system, shrinking your focus to chase one thing fully rather than ten things halfway, and protecting your mornings before the world sets your tone for you. Each approach builds upon a fundamental principle—that showing up on purpose rather than by default transforms everything. Your attention is valuable, and where you direct it determines not just what you accomplish, but who you become. What's one distraction you'll set aside today, and one priority you'll protect? Visit growthinstigators.com to learn how I help teams and leaders clarify what matters most and reclaim their collective focus.

Chapters

• 0:00 Attention and Focus Challenge
• 0:11 Growth Instigators Introduction
• 0:25 Monday: Staying Grounded Amid Distractions
• 1:06 Three Ways to Stay Grounded
• 2:09 Call to Action and Resources

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

If you can't focus, something will make you focus. What's pulling at your attention today and is it actually worth your focus? Welcome to message 296 of the Growth Instigators Hotline, where we ignite your personal and professional development. I'm Aaron Havens, your host and growth coach. Let's dive into today's Insight Mindset.

Speaker 1: 0:25

Monday staying grounded amid distractions. Distractions aren't just loud, they're very strategic. They sneak in disguised as productivity, they masquerade as urgency and they multiply when your priorities aren't clear. Next thing you know you've wasted two hours and the most important things are at risk of being accomplished, especially on Mondays. But here's the truth the most successful people aren't the busiest, they're the most anchored, they are the most focused. So here are three ways to stay grounded today.

Speaker 1: 1:06

Number one reconnect to your values. When everything feels noisy, your values are the filter. What actually matters to you this week, what's essential, not just available. My grandpa used to say don't assume responsibility that's not yours. Yep is what you're focused on the best use of your limited calories today.

Speaker 1: 1:29

Number two on how to stay grounded today shrink your focus. Don't chase 10 things halfway. Chase one thing fully, small, focused progress. Beat scattered energy every time, kick butt and then move on to the next thing in line. And number three protect your mornings.

Speaker 1: 1:49

Yeah, how you start your day shapes the rest of it. Before you check your notifications and dive into the chaos, ground yourself Read, reflect, breathe, pray. Set the tone before the world sets it for you. Start fresh. Start focused, not behind and rushed. Here's what I want you to do today. Pause and ask yourself what's one distraction I can set aside today and what's one priority I'm going to protect. Staying grounded isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up on purpose. Thank you for calling Growth Instigators Hotline. I'd love to hear from you, leave a message after the beep or send an email to my email address at Aaron at growthinstigatorscom, and let me know what's been the biggest distraction lately and how do you personally stay anchored when life feels chaotic and if your team or leadership group needs help regaining focus and clarifying what matters the most. That's what I do. Visit growthinstigatorscom and let's set up a discovery call and, as always, keep instigating growth in all you do.