Concentration Booster

Apple is one of the world’s most valued brands—in large part, thanks to the genius of Steve Jobs.

Jobs relentlessly created a few simple and elegant products.  Mark Parker asked Jobs for advice while assuming leadership at Nike.  Jobs said Nike created some of the best products in the world, yet it also produced many lackluster products.  Jobs told Parker to focus on the best and get rid of the rest—the Apple model.

At the 1997 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Jobs shared another one of his secrets for success.

People think focus means saying ‘yes’ to the thing you’ve got to focus on.  But that’s not what it means at all.  It means saying ‘no’ to the hundred other good ideas that there are.  You have to pick carefully.  I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done.

Set Boundaries

Learning to set boundaries is crucial to your personal wellbeing as well as your career.

Practice saying “no.”  If that's a difficult reflex when someone asks you a question, take a moment to pause before responding.  Give yourself time to think through the question and confirm whether you can take on this role, project, or task.

You might consider sharing a work schedule with your coworkers and team.  You might request a mini-vacation or time off.

Show yourself compassion by regularly taking breaks throughout the day.  This can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burning out.

As Steve Jobs said, focus is not just saying “yes,” it’s also about saying “no.”

Focus on one thing at a time.  Research shows multitasking (or multi-switching) is the least effective way to manage your time and attention.  When you monotask, you fully immerse yourself in the task at hand.

Choose your tasks carefully by following the Pareto Principle or Eisenhower Matrix.  Identify your Most Important Task (MIT) every morning and set yourself up for Flow.

Focus on what’s important and say “no” to interruptions.