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@ Goody
2025-04-11 22:40:19Here in the country, we know a thing or two about focus. You can't fix a fence, milk a cow, or hoe a straight row if you're half-distracted or daydreaming about something else. The same applies to anything in life, whether it's trying to finish a project, have a meaningful conversation, or simply sit still long enough to pray. Concentration is a skill that, like all good things, requires a little grit and a lot of practice.
Here’s some practical, common-sense advice to help you buckle down and focus when your mind is spinning a bit too fast.
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Clear the Mess Before You Start A messy space leads to a messy mind. You wouldn’t gut a deer on the kitchen table, and you shouldn’t expect to think clearly in a cluttered room. Clean up your work area. Put things away. Next, do the same with your mind and jot down everything swirling around in there. Get it out, set it aside, and focus completely on one task at a time.
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Work Like a Farmer: in Spurts! A farmer doesn’t plow from sunup to sundown without stopping to catch his breath. He works steadily, confidently, but knows when to rest his bones, wipe his brow, and sip a cold drink. That’s the kind of rhythm that gets things done without wearing a man down. Try working in short, focused bursts for about twenty-five minutes, then take a five-minute breather. Stretch your legs, step outside, say a quick prayer, and return to your task. After a few rounds, take a longer break to let your mind cool off. You’ll accomplish more this way and won’t feel worn out by noon.
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Stop Trying to Juggle Chickens Multitasking may seem impressive, but let’s face it: attempting to accomplish five tasks at once often results in none being done correctly. Concentrate on one task. Give it your all. Then move on. You’ll be more productive and less stressed.
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Turn Down the Noise Distractions are like flies at a picnic - relentless and annoying. Shoo them away. Keep your phone out of reach. Use apps to block websites that drain your time. Turn off the TV. You cannot harvest peace and quiet if you’re watering weeds.
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Feed Your Brain Like You Feed Your Livestock Your brain ain’t some spare part you can ignore and still expect to run strong. It needs proper tending, just like the rest of you. So drink plenty of water, not just coffee. Eat real food that grew in the ground or once walked on it, not something cooked up in a lab. Step outside and let the breeze hit your face. Soak up some sunshine and stretch your legs. Move a little; even a short walk can shake the cobwebs loose. It doesn’t take much, but you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes. A well-fed, well-rested mind is a sharp one, ready to do good work and hear what God’s saying through the noise.
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Start Small, Grow Strong You don’t plant a tree and expect shade the next day. Same with focus. If you can only concentrate for ten minutes at first, that’s fine. Do that. Then, stretch it to fifteen, then thirty. It takes time and a little muscle, like splitting wood or learning to fish.
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Know Your Why There’s a reason behind everything we do; remembering your reason helps you stay the course. Ask yourself: Why does this matter? Who am I doing this for? What good will come of it? Purpose gives power to your focus.
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Rest Like It’s Part of the Job—Because It Is Hard work matters, and so does rest. Even the Lord took a day off. Sleep well, take breaks, go for a walk, and let your brain breathe. You don’t have to earn your rest; you just have to honor it. You’ll be sharper when you return.
Final Word from the Porch Concentration ain’t about being superhuman. It’s about making smart choices in small moments. Shut out the noise. Show up for your tasks. Give them your full attention. That’s how fences get mended, stories get written, and lives get changed.
Take it slow. Take it steady. And keep your eye on the prize.
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