10 Online Tools for Better Attention & Focus

A recent happiness study from Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert found that the more our minds wander, the less happy we are. Summing the research, the New York Times wrote, “Whatever people were doing, whether it was having sex or reading or shopping, they tended to be happier if they focused on the activity instead of thinking about something else.” In short, being mentally “present” and focused on the task at hand really does matter – quite a lot, in fact. If only finding focus were so simple. 1. If you find yourself slipping into a Twitter sinkhole when you should be updating your business plan, Self-Control may be the app you need. 2. This good-looking app tracks everything you do on your computer, spitting back out a sort of “attention audit.” 3. Concentrate is great for shifting between tasks that require different mindsets. 4. If you’re anything like me, one primarily challenge for focusing is getting all your notes in one place. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. How Do You Stay Focused?

The Single Best Way To Develop Leadership Skills You might learn a great deal in school, but it’s doubtful that you’ll actually develop as a leader by reading a book or taking a course. The military is right about experiential development: People grow and become leaders by making a commitment to a cause, and having personal responsibility and accountability. For those of us in civilian life, there are also ways for us to develop as leaders through experience: through volunteer service. There are myriad nonprofit missions from which to choose, roles and positions in which to engage that are meaningful and productive, and paths for personal and professional advancement. Nonprofit board service is particularly compelling for business people and professionals seeking to develop as leaders. Through nonprofit board experience, business people participate with the CEO in envisioning an organization's greater potential, creating the revenue model, and achieving success. Here’s the secret to making the most of a service experience:

How to Start Getting Things Done | 7 Strategies to Stop Procrastinating Thanks to e-mail, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Facebook, and countless other modern-day distractions, it’s easier than ever to find excuses to not be getting work done. But procrastination leads to guilt, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed, along with the inevitable shoddy performance on the job. Why do people procrastinate? Motivation and Self Improvement Free time tracking software for small business | WeWorked

50 Life Secrets and Tips Memorize something everyday.Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.Those who are heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.Develop an endless curiosity about this world.Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss.This book will give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of the circumstances.

5 Time Management Tips That Will Change Your Life | Manage Time Better The past few months have been a bit of a transition for our family, as my husband has taken on the role of stay-at-home dad, and I’ve tried to figure out how to balance a job that is literally never done with all our other needs. I’m not going to lie, as prepared as I thought I was for this change, the reality of having him home and in “my” space all the time was a lot harder than I anticipated. For months, I felt “off.” I would sit at my desk to write, but get distracted, sometimes by the noise around me, sometimes by email or Pinterest or whatever. You’re always on the computer, he would say. While I’m pretty sure I didn’t I respond as lovingly as I could have, I knew deep down that he was right. And then I re-read a story about a professor who held up a jar of rocks to his class. If we think of our lives and our time as a jar of rocks the illustration is pretty clear. These five simple steps can change your life: Step One: List Your Priorities Step Two: Set Specific Goals

33 Productivity Tips, in 140 Characters or Less