Name: 18 Minutes
Rating: 3.8 (274 reviews)
Author: Peter Bregman

What’s in it for me? Find your focus and get things done in 18 minutes.

Do you sometimes find it difficult to concentrate? You’re not alone. With Facebook, Instagram and smartphones always with us, constantly beeping and buzzing, craving our attention, getting things done is tougher than ever.

So how do you fight these distractions and find your focus again? First of all, you need to accept that you can’t do everything. Then you need to make sure that the goals you have are really yours. Then it’s time to get going. Luckily, there are some neat tips and tricks that will make it easier for you to succeed. And it doesn’t require a lot of time either. Just 18 minutes.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

what Gmail’s “undo send” function can teach you about life;
what jelly can teach you about choice; and
why you should embrace your quirks.

Start by pausing and focusing on the best course of action.

Sometimes waking up in the morning and looking at your to-do list can be overwhelming. Finding enough time to take care of everything can be a daily struggle. But with the right plan and some focused attention you can be your most productive self.

First, find your focus by pausing for a moment, reflecting on what needs to be done and finding the best and most fruitful course of action.

This pause will also lead to you making fewer mistakes.

Take Gmail’s “undo send” function, for example. This feature gives you five seconds to reconsider whether you might regret that email you just sent. And five seconds is all most people need to pause and realize they’ve made a mistake.

Of course, it’s more productive to avoiding writing and sending that email in the first place.

Our initial instincts are often emotional, and the part of our brain that controls our impulses needs those few extra seconds to take control and put us on the right path. So, before you take action, slow down and take a moment to consider and to avoid wasting time.

This pause can train your mind for long term success.

You can think of life in terms of a marathon: It requires constant effort and endurance. Marathon runners gain endurance by breaking their week into four days of short runs, one day of a long run and two days of rest. And just like these runners you need this rest to reflect and put things in perspective.

Pausing also allows you to think in new ways, leading to new possibilities.

Without that break you’ll be on constant autopilot, acting out according to your idea of how things are supposed to be. This is the kind of behavior that leads to mistakes and missed opportunities. When you pause it gives your mind the chance to calm down, see things accurately and recognize the possibilities for productivity.

So take the important first step and pause.

Find what’s right for you by leveraging your strengths and embracing your weaknesses.

Are you so ambitious you don’t know where to start? To find the best option for you, try to organize your life and focus on the things that matter most. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in a day, week, year or lifetime.

To attain these goals, you will need direction, and the key to getting on the right path is limiting your choices and taking advantage of your strengths.

Assert your differences and pursue your passion while avoiding pitfalls.

Have you ever considered what makes you different and unique as a disadvantage? Don’t! It is a competitive advantage to be different from the rest!

Today’s marketplace is crowded and people have more options than ever from which to choose. From bars and restaurants to technological gadgets and mobile applications, it’s the ones that offer something unique and different that stand out and succeed.

Key ideas in 18 Minutes