Nilesh-ism - Focus
Aphorisms for developing focus.
Focus = Consciously excluding everything else + Reducing or do less + Cutting down on things you always wanted to do.
Be Consistently Inconsistent.
When Bored ? Dont Quit. (Chorna Nahi Hotah.) Dont do anything else other than the task. EAT/RELAX/CHILL > Again get back to the task.
Focus on the fundamentals first : (1. Listening to others and understanding their POV 2. Critical Thinking 3. Reading Comprehension 4. Concise Writing 5. 12 th Maths 6. Stats 7. Logic/Reason 8. Some Physics and Chemistry)
Sleep Well ! Use the remaining time to focus on most important things in life. Actively ignore everything else.
Easier to focus by reducing or doing less. => Focus does not mean doing one thing and doing it well. It also means cutting down on things you always wanted to do.
Focus on what’s important.
Focus on yourself first : Your Physical, Mental and financial success/satisfaction. Work is a means to help others with success/ satisfaction. Next up is family members then, neighbours, then your village/town/city, then state, then nation and then global issues.
Focus on things that have potential to give you positive benefit in the visible future.
आज मैंने क्या उखाड़ा? सारा फोकस अपने ऊपर रखो. दूसरे को लेकर क्यों सोचना !
Make yourself the most important person in the life. My motivation is narrowly focused on myself ! It might sound like naracassim. But make yourself the most important person in your life>family>Close friends>Neighbours>city etc etc.
How to focus on studies ? Instead of how ! You need to answer the why ? Be clear about the why ! A clear why will pave way for a solid focus !
HOW TO FOCUS FOR LONG TIME ?
1. To hold patience for long term projects - Be absolutely clear about why you are doing it. To keep reminding yourself about the goal and head in right direction with focus and intensity.
2. Wasting time in wondering without goal is not worth it. It's a waste of time, energy, effort and money.
3. Burn out = Applying effort in WRONG direction or simply turning INTO kohlu ka bail and slogging off against your wishes with life not going in any direction.
4. Even मज़ा करना can be a goal.
5. You can earn back money but time is always unidirectional. Once spent you can never get it back.
6. Focus on the results. Happiness, success, relationships, money, comforts , food etc are need in life. You will not be able to achieve them unless you are well aligned with your goals.
7. For long term goal planning read the concept of Gantt chart and philosophy of in short software by Jury Shortski. To understand the idea of dependency + to break it into bite sized work item.
I am not a multi-tasker. I am an uni-tasker !
Just focus on getting things done. Thats all.
Don’t stop fun activities. They are the super important kind.
It is easier to focus by reducing or doing less.
There are shiny objects everywhere. You wanna catch them all, like Ash from Pokémon. Focus on the one you select while actively ignoring everything else until you get bored. Focus means saying no to things you always wanted.
Those who commit to one thing are distracted by nothing.
Most important thing in life. Ask yourself. Kya kar rahe ho ? Kyu kar rahe ho ? Be absolutely clear about it with yourself.
Don’t reduce sleep time at all. Sleep well, like कुंभकर्ण Use the remaining to focus on the most important things in life and actively ignore every thing else. Go back to sleep. Plenty of sleep generates more energy to do things better faster cheaper. My guardian in college days used to say: इस लड़के का क्या होगा? जब देखो तो सोते रहता है Fixed schedule. Reduced sleep. Those are not the best ideas to live life.
Attempting to become a polymath is not ideal to start. It’s better to focus on one than many. Better to be the King of one domain than be a jack of many. Once you’re the King of one, it becomes feasible to conquer another kingdom.
The Art of True Focus:
In an age of endless distractions, focus is no longer just a skill—it’s a discipline. It’s not about doing more, it’s about consciously doing less. True focus begins when we intentionally exclude what doesn’t matter, simplify what we pursue, and cut back on even the things we once thought we wanted. It’s a mindset that challenges the noise and chaos around us with clarity and purpose.
But focus isn’t rigidity. It’s about being consistently inconsistent—leaning into the task at hand, knowing boredom will come, but refusing to quit. When distractions strike, resist the urge to shift aimlessly. Instead, pause, recharge, and come back stronger. Focus isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.
At its core, focus means aligning with the fundamentals: listening deeply, thinking critically, writing concisely, and mastering the building blocks of knowledge. It means prioritizing your well-being—physical, mental, and financial—and using that foundation to make a meaningful impact, starting with yourself and radiating outward to your family, community, and beyond.
Focus also means clarity of purpose. It’s not just about the “how” but the “why.” A clear “why” transforms long-term goals into achievable milestones. It minimizes wasted time, avoids burnout, and keeps you anchored in what truly matters.
In a world full of shiny distractions, focus is the art of saying no to most things and yes to the right ones. It’s about choosing one goal, giving it your all, and ignoring the rest until you’ve conquered it. And amidst all this striving, don’t forget the essentials: sleep well, embrace joy, and make time for fun. These are not distractions but the fuel that keeps your focus sharp.
So, ask yourself today: What am I doing? Why am I doing it? The answers hold the key to unlocking your focus—and your future.
The Art of True Focus: Explained
1. Focus = Consciously Excluding Everything Else
Focus is not about juggling multiple priorities but about choosing one and dedicating yourself to it while deliberately ignoring everything else. Imagine a photographer framing a perfect shot. To capure the subject clearly, they must blur out the background. Similarly, focusing requires saying no to distractions and even sidelining other ambitions for the time being.
For example, if you aim to excel in a competitive exam, this means pausing hobbies or side projects temporarily and prioritizing study time over social media or Netflix.
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2. Reducing or Doing Less
Instead of overloading yourself with tasks, do fewer things but do them better. This principle is akin to minimalism—removing clutter to find clarity.
Take Elon Musk, for instance, who focused on Tesla and SpaceX before expanding to Neuralink or The Boring Company. By dedicating energy to fewer things at once, he ensured each venture reached significant milestones before shifting focus.
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3. Cutting Down on Things You Always Wanted to Do
Sometimes, focus requires shelving even the good ideas that don’t align with your immediate goals. For example, if you always wanted to learn guitar but are working on your career, setting aside that goal temporarily can free up energy for what matters most.
Think of it as pruning a tree: removing some branches allows the others to grow stronger and taller.
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4. Be Consistently Inconsistent
Consistency matters, but it doesn’t mean you can’t adapt. The key is to stick to your primary goal while being flexible with your methods.
For example, a student might sometimes study in the morning and other times in the evening based on energy levels or other commitments. The inconsistency in routine doesn’t matter as long as the overall goal—consistent progress—is maintained.
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5. When Bored? Don’t Quit.
Boredom is inevitable, but quitting isn’t the answer. Instead, take breaks to recharge and return to the task with fresh energy. Think of athletes during practice: they don’t quit when tired; they rest and push harder in the next session.
For instance, when studying feels monotonous, pause to eat, relax, or listen to music, but don’t switch to another activity that derails your focus. Always circle back to your original task.
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6. Focus on Fundamentals First
Building a strong foundation is essential for lasting success. Prioritize skills and knowledge that form the bedrock of growth:
- Listening & Understanding: Pay attention to others’ perspectives to make informed decisions.
- Critical Thinking: Analyze and solve problems effectively.
- Reading & Writing: Develop clear communication skills.
- Basic Academics: Strengthen your understanding of math, logic, and sciences.
For example, an aspiring entrepreneur might focus on learning finance and market analysis before launching a business.
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7. Sleep Well
Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for optimal focus and productivity. Think of your body as a smartphone: you can’t run on low battery forever. Proper rest recharges your mind and body, enabling you to tackle challenges with vigor.
Consider Arianna Huffington’s example. After collapsing from sleep deprivation, she made sleep a priority, transforming both her health and career.
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8. Focus on Yourself First
Prioritizing your own well-being—physical, mental, and financial—creates a strong foundation to help others. Much like the airplane safety rule, "put on your oxygen mask first before helping others," you can’t support others effectively if you’re not in a good place yourself.
For example, focus on saving money and building your career before extending financial help to family or friends.
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9. Ask Why, Not Just How
Clarity of purpose is essential for sustained focus. Instead of fixating on *how* to achieve something, ask *why* you’re doing it. A clear "why" provides motivation and direction.
For instance, if your goal is to lose weight, your "why" might be improving health or increasing confidence. This reason will keep you committed even when motivation dips.
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10. Avoid Burnout by Aligning Effort with Purpose
Burnout happens when you exert effort without seeing meaningful progress. It’s like running on a treadmill: exhausting but going nowhere. To avoid this, ensure your actions align with your goals.
For example, if your career feels stagnant, reassess whether you’re in the right role or industry. Sometimes, a change in direction can reignite focus and energy.
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11. Break Down Long-Term Goals
Big goals can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, actionable steps, like creating a Gantt chart to visualize dependencies and timelines.
For instance, writing a book might involve:
- Researching for a month
- Outlining chapters in two weeks
- Writing 1,000 words daily
This approach makes the process manageable and keeps you focused.
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12. Don’t Stop Fun Activities
Fun isn’t a distraction; it’s essential for creativity and happiness. Balance work with activities you enjoy to maintain motivation.
For example, Bill Gates famously takes "think weeks" where he retreats to read and reflect. These breaks fuel his productivity and innovation.
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13. Ignore the Shiny Objects
Every day presents new distractions and opportunities. Focusing means resisting the urge to chase every shiny object and staying committed to the one you’ve chosen.
Think of Ash from Pokémon: he focuses on catching one Pokémon at a time rather than all at once. Similarly, commit to one goal and actively ignore the rest until it’s achieved.
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14. Make Yourself the Most Important Person
Self-prioritization isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Make yourself the center of your efforts, then extend that focus outward to family, community, and the world.
For example, Oprah Winfrey focused on her personal growth and career before using her platform to help others.
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15. Focus Means Saying No
Focus often requires difficult choices. Saying no to things you enjoy or desire creates space for what truly matters.
For example, Warren Buffett’s strategy involves creating a list of 25 goals, prioritizing the top five, and avoiding the remaining 20 at all costs.
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16. Sleep Like Kumbhakarna
Sacrificing sleep for productivity is counterproductive. Proper rest ensures better decision-making, creativity, and focus. Take inspiration from Kumbhakarna, who embraced long, restorative sleep cycles.
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17. Master One Domain First
Attempting to become a polymath too early can dilute your efforts. Focus on excelling in one domain before expanding.
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Final Thoughts
True focus is about clarity, discipline, and balance. It’s not just doing one thing well but knowing when to say no, when to rest, and when to adapt. By mastering the art of focus, you can achieve more with less, creating a life aligned with your deepest goals and values.