Your Attention, Please!

What we put our time and attention on grows. No ifs, ands, or buts. It’s the truth—but how often do we forget? How often does our ego step in, hijacking our focus and leading us astray?

I was reminded of this just this morning when I opened my inbox to find a message from a coach I’ve worked with in the past. It felt like it was written directly for me:

"It’s amazing to me that I can increase whatever I want in my life if I only remember to pay attention. I 'pay' attention because I invest it into something. I had a friend who hosted a popular nationwide radio show. In the first year, he focused all of his attention on the worries and problems of the show… and the show really struggled. The next three years, he shifted his attention to his audience—what they needed, what they cared about—and the audience grew! Whatever he put his attention on grew."

Steve Chandler

That last line hit me like a ton of bricks.

I know this. But was I actually doing it? No.

Projects that need my attention are sitting on my desk. There are a few open spots in my coaching roster that I’d love to fill. And let’s not forget—tax season is HERE. But instead of directing my focus to these things, I was letting my ego mind (her name is Bondabean… long story, but that’s a Mindful Moment for another day) run the show with a chorus of excuses:

“It’s going to be hard.” 

“I don’t know how.” (a classic) 

“I don’t have time.” 

“I can’t.”

Every single one of these is a victim mindset. Way below the line. Not helpful.

So let’s pick apart my personal favorite: “I don’t know how.”

Well, of course I don’t! I’ve never done my 2025 taxes before. I’ve never tackled this particular project before. I don’t know how… yet. But allowing that doubt to take root invites fear, and fear paralyzes. Until I notice what my mind is doing, choose not to listen, and dive in anyway.

And every single time, I find success. Every single time, I realize it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It even feels good when it’s done.

That shift—from avoidance to engagement—changes everything. And sometimes, we need a little structure (or accountability) to help us get there.

I recently worked with a client who knew she was procrastinating. I asked her to send me a message every day by 5 p.m. with a progress update on a project she was avoiding. By Thursday, it was 85% done. Just by putting in the time and attention, she created momentum—and momentum moves mountains.

If you need help breaking through resistance, try this:

• Block off time in your calendar for the thing you’re avoiding. Clock in and out like it’s a job.

• Get an accountability partner—someone who will check in and hold you to it.

• Change the story you’re telling yourself. Instead of “This will be hard”, try “This will be easy.” Instead of “I don’t know how”, try “I’ll figure it out.” Instead of “I don’t have time”, try “I’m making time because this matters.”

So tell me—what do you need to put your attention on? What are you avoiding? And more importantly, what’s the lie you’re telling yourself about it?

Let’s rewrite that story together.