Welcome to New Startup Mindset and this is the second chapter,
Single Deep Focus.
And here the teaching is that what you're creating today depends on your attention,
Just like you depend on air.
So this devoted attention is a basic ingredient for creating something of value,
Such as a company,
A book,
Or any other creative work that you may feel called upon to produce.
I call this single deep focus.
So single deep focus is the ability to focus without distraction on a single task that is crucial to your venture,
To your creation.
So during this time you allow your brain,
Your body,
And your soul to contribute all it has to offer into this single task.
This type of devoted attention to important tasks for creating or building a new venture brings the following benefits.
It allows you to prioritize what's important for your startup.
It clarifies what in your life deserves your single deep focus.
It creates a shield,
A boundary of protection from distractions,
And it builds intimacy with your startup.
In that moment of single deep focus,
Your startup is getting all of you.
Now we live in a very distracted world.
So what I want to offer you today are two things.
One,
A practice of single deep focus,
And second,
A meditation.
The practice first.
I'd like you to begin by creating a container.
The container you create should be a ritual or routine.
You're in charge of creating the container that promotes deep focus for you.
So as you plan and design your single deep focus cocoon,
Don't overlook the interruptions.
So take care to eliminate any and all types of interruptions.
Turn off your phone ringer,
Close your messaging apps,
Emails,
Your web browser,
Go to the bathroom,
Come back,
And close the door and begin.
Step two,
So you set your intention.
Just what intention?
So what is your intention for today?
What do you want to accomplish?
As an example,
You may say something like,
Today I want to give two hours of single deep focus to my sales slide deck because it is a critical tool for us to win more business.
So you could take a piece of paper and write,
Sales slide deck,
Two hours,
Win more business.
Next,
Start a time limit.
Your attention span is not limitless.
You're not a robot who can work indefinitely without rest or refuel.
And so single deep focus is meant to be a temporary state engineered by you to maximize creativity,
Quality,
And productivity.
After the time limit has elapsed,
The period of single deep focus is officially over.
And most times you'll be ready to get up and move around and allow your eyes and mind to focus on something else.
And finally,
The last step is to practice every day or every work day.
Each day,
Choose one area that will obtain your single deep focus for a period of time.
Write it down on that piece of paper to create a mini contract with yourself to give this area your full attention for a period of time.
This area of deep focus may change from day to day,
But the mind muscles exercised in that period of focus are the same.
Note that inspiration is not a prerequisite for creation,
But time is.
So you need not be inspired at the moment of creation.
Instead,
You need to allocate the time to create.
And once you begin,
Then the magic happens.
You can't predict what will emerge and thus all you can do is carve out the time to create.
Now I'd like to invite you to a guided meditation on single deep focus.
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Bring yourself to this present moment.
And in the state of mindfulness and relaxation,
I'd like you to do a bit of mental scavenging and search for an area that needs your attention.
Perhaps this is a new feature for your software or a new scene for your book,
A new type of customer you'd like to attract,
Or a piece of art in your mind that doesn't yet exist in the physical realm.
Ponder these questions.
What would transform for you if you decide to approach this area with single deep focus?
What would happen if today or tomorrow you spent one to two hours in single deep focus for creativity and production in this area?
Can you commit today to one session of single deep focus to investigate what manifests from it?
One more deep focus breath to seal in this intention of single deep focus for days and weeks to come.
Open your eyes and go get it.
