Focus on what matters to you

January is often a time when we look at the things we ought to do – more of this and less of that.

New year resolutions can sometimes feel like a punishment at one of the coldest, most difficult times of the year – why not treat this month as an opportunity to instil some welcome behaviours that feel more of a treat. Life Lessons By Boo’s Instagram page (@lifelessonsbyboo) suggests the following tips to put your focus where it matters;

Ask yourself what you want. This means being honest about what you truly want, not what others expect from you. When you know your real goal, your mind stops jumping between random things. Write it down in one sentence – eg “I want a better career”, “I want peace”, “I want to get fit” – because clarity makes focus easier.

Where have you placed value. Your focus goes where your value goes. Look at where you spend your time, money and attention – because that shows you what you actually value, even if you don’t mean to. If you say you value health but spend most time on junk food and late nights, your values and actions are not aligned. This step helps you notice the truth and correct it.

Eliminate what doesn’t line up. Once you know what you want and what you truly value, remove the things that don’t match. This can be habits, distractions, toxic people, unnecessary commitments and even negative self-talk. You don’t need to remove everything at once – start with one big distraction (eg. reduce social media time, stop saying yes to every request).

Start doing. Thinking and planning are not enough. Focus becomes real when you take action, small daily action. Begin with the simplest step, even if its imperfect. Action builds confidence and confidence builds consistency. Start small – 10 minutes of work, one page of reading, one workout, one application; anything that moves you forward.

Practice gratitude. Gratitude trains your brain to notice what is good and meaningful, instead of always feeling “not enough”. It reduces stress, jealousy and distraction. When you feel grateful, you focus better because your mind becomes calmer and more present. A simple habit – write 3 things you’re thankful for every day.

These tips may help you to focus on making improvements that matter to you – at any time of the year.