Dear Molly,
thank you for pointing out the deeper reasons for the obstacles we give ourselves in order not to focus. This is so true for many of us, it is so good to hear how you put this into words! Baby steps, yes. I'm now working with setting a timer in order not to get overwhelmed by diving too deep into a project.
Thanks again for your insights and help,
greetings from Paris
Andrea

Andrea, the timer technique can work wonders. Here's a post about productivity and timers: The Pomodoro Technique.

My friend and colleague, Bill Baren, also talks about The Power Hour in his Time Mastery Program. A Power Hour is 50 minutes in which you focus on a single task/project. Then take 10 minutes off. Repeat as needed.

hi molly,

It was great to hear you .you give nice way to step out the obstacles we often point. i will start following them so that even i start focusing . also to mention all your techniques are wonderful to follow

Wholly agree, Molly. My life feels SO different when I make writing down what I'm going to do the next day part of a nightly practice; and then do those things. As you say, carrying it in your head is the black-ice covered road to overwhelm/collision. I don't limit it to three; I do, however, constantly remind myself that that a "To Do" list is not the same as a "Wouldn't It Be Nice If I Was Able To Get All This Done" list. Actually, I think writing stuff down in a calendar and visiting and revisiting one's plans is a huge help and calmer-downer. Thanks for the reminder. cd

Donna: Mmmm. I'm taking in your comment. Thank you!

Crescent: The "Wouldn't It Be Nice If I Was Able to Get All This Done List" is genius. :)