The Neuroscience of Focus

Fact, Framework, or Process	Layman's Terms	Neuroscience Summary	Practical Implementation
Pomodoro Technique	Break tasks into manageable intervals	The Pomodoro Technique suggests breaking work into 25-minute intervals, with short breaks in between.	Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on a task with full focus. Take a short break (5 minutes) after each interval. After four intervals, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). Repeat the process throughout the day.
Externalizing Thoughts and Tasks	Write down and organize your thoughts and tasks	Externalizing thoughts and tasks helps reduce mental clutter, frees up working memory, and improves focus and organization.	Use a planner or digital tools to write down and organize your tasks, ideas, and deadlines. Review and update regularly to stay on track.
Time Blocking	Allocate specific time slots for activities	Time blocking involves scheduling specific blocks of time for different activities, providing structure and reducing distractions.	Plan your day by assigning dedicated time blocks for different tasks or activities. Avoid multitasking and focus solely on the task at hand during each time block.
Prioritization and Task Sequencing	Identify and order tasks by importance	Prioritization involves determining the importance of tasks, while task sequencing arranges tasks in the most efficient order.	Rank tasks based on importance and urgency. Start with high-priority tasks and break larger tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks. Follow a logical sequence to work through your tasks effectively.
Environmental Optimization	Create an organized and focused workspace	An optimized environment minimizes distractions, promotes focus, and supports better cognitive performance.	Create a clutter-free workspace, minimize distractions (e.g., noise, phone notifications), use task-specific tools or apps, and personalize the environment to suit your preferences.
Mindfulness and Meditation	Cultivate present-moment awareness	Mindfulness and meditation practices improve attention, reduce stress, and enhance self-regulation of thoughts and emotions.	Dedicate a few minutes each day for mindfulness or meditation exercises. Focus on your breath, observe thoughts without judgment, and bring your attention back to the present moment when it wanders.

70/20/10 (now called OSF)

On-The-Job, Social and Formal Learning

The OSF (On-the-Job, Social, Formal) Ratio

How many hours do you want to work per week: Example 55
Within that 55 hours
- 70% of your time should be spent on Tier 1 items
  - Revenue Drivers
  - Growth and Development
  - All-Complexity, High-Reward
- 20% of your time should be spent on Tier 2 items
  - Service offerings
  - Medium-Complexity, High-Reward
- 10% of your time should be spent on Tier 3
  - Experimenting
  - Trial Runs
  - High-Complexity, High-Rewards

For each category, you have to establish goals or milestones for when items should be transitioned from tier to tier.

Example: If a service that you’re experimenting with in the “20%” effort section meets or exceeds a revenue target, it then has the opportunity to move to your 70%. If there is no room in your 70% at the time, it may be time to use the delegation matrix.

Your 70% is finite for a reason. You can’t add new things to your 70% if you’re maxed out on hours. If you find yourself maxed out on hours, you either have to delegate or eliminate.

Volunteer work is eligible to be added to your 70/20/10