3 simple steps to instant focus

I have just finished a telephone coaching session. My client
phoned half an hour before the agreed time, obviously
believing he was phoning at the right time.

I had the radio on, computer on, my desk was covered in papers and I wasn't at all prepared! So what to do?

Well, first of all, I turned the radio and computer off!
Then, two options came to mind as we were doing the
'how are you?' bit:

1. To put him off till the agreed time.
2. Go with it and get immediately into coaching mode.

I chose the latter option, because he was the client after
all and the time was obviously right for him. However,
I needed to move fast to be able to focus on him and
his needs.

So I grabbed my notepad and pen, turned my back on my desk
and then changed the words in my head from 'Oh God, this
wasn't what I'd planned', to 'Let me listen carefully'.

Any other distracting thoughts were pushed to one side. I
was now totally focused on the client and it had only taken
less than a minute to do so.

It worked and at the end my client even said how very useful
the session had been. Amazingly and ironically, one of his
issues was how he could get refocused! The universe works in
strange ways...

So, what are the steps to getting focused?

1. Clear the decks first: it's important to start
   with a clean sheet, clean desk, clear mind.

2. Banish all distractions: imagine you're wearing
   blinkers like a horse; put irrelevant thoughts
   to one side.

3. Call to mind whatever is relevant to the topic
   in hand: get your unconscious mind on board by
   asking it to focus on what you need.

Barbara Buffton was a qualified careers consultant who one day decided to take her own advice and change her career! She has had four books published, including "Follow Your Dream". Check out her website www.people-developers.com for more information.