Scattered, Not Shattered: How to Refocus an over-worked Mind
But before I show you the solution, here's the problem...
Hard & Damaging.
Ego-Based Outcome: The Hidden Saboteur
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There's a moment before every great move—a shot, a swing, a pitch, a pitch deck, a phone call, a launch—where time either slows down or spirals out. Ever felt that?
You're either locked in, fully present. Or you're spiraling into a storm of thoughts:
👋"What if I mess this up?"
👋"They'll think I'm a fraud."
👋"I have to win this."
Craig Manning, mental performance coach to Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 leaders, would call that an ego-based outcome taking the wheel.
When your focus is on the outcome—the scoreboard, the applause, the deal—you're no longer present.
Your attention drifts to the parts you can't control.
👉The external.
👉The perception.
👉The fear.
You start thinking about YOU!
Your identity gets tangled with the outcome:
- If I win, I'm worthy.
- If I lose, I'm exposed.
And just like that, the pressure spikes.
Your brain, overwhelmed with mental noise, literally reduces access to working memory.
You get clunky, reactive, hesitant.
It's not that you forgot how to perform.
It's your mind's too busy calculating risk and protecting your ego to let your skill breathe.
Now contrast that with this...
Want the Zone? Drop the Ego, Do the Task
When your focus is on the task, "EVERYTHING" shifts.
You're not worried about "winning." You're asking, "What's the next best move?"
You bring your attention back to what you can control:
👍The breath.
👍The swing.
👍The structure of your message.
👍The one line you need to write.
You’re no longer performing for approval. You’re executing from clarity. This is how you get into the ZONE...
Into the FLOW state!
Flow isn’t magic. It’s just the absence of mental clutter.
79% of Repetitive Thoughts Are Unhelpful... 75% Of Physical Dis-ease are Caused by Our Repetitive Thoughts!
This is a simplified almalgamation of my findings 👆👆👆👆👆👆
The Business Version
Ego-based: "This product has to sell or I’m screwed."
Task-based: "Let me write one compelling story that reveals why this matters."
Ego-based: "This client pitch has to land or my reputation is goin' down the pan."
Task-based: "I’ll (relax) ask the right questions, listen, and reflect back their real need."
👎One is outcome-addicted.
👍The other is grounded, present, and calm.
Your Brain Loves Simplicity
Here’s the kicker...
... your brain performs best when it’s focused on one task at a time.
💥Not ten.
💥Not the future.
💥Not your reputation.
Manning’s research showed that when athletes and performers narrow their focus to one task, performance increases up to 400%. (YES, you read that right! 400%)
Not by grinding harder.
But, thinking less.
“Pressure is a distraction masquerading as urgency.”
So, How Do I Apply This?
Step
When your mind drifts into “What will they think?” or “I can’t mess this up,” you’re in ego-land. No shame. Just notice it.
Step
Get specific. Not "write better copy" but "craft one powerful headline." Not "nail the sales call" but "ask a clarifying question."
Step
Task-based thinking is a muscle. Repetition makes it stronger. In meetings, creative work, calls...
Step 4: # 👉Detach Identity from Outcome
The outcome doesn't define you. It reveals something—and then it's on to the next task. You’re not the results. You’re the process.
Here's the Truth:
You don’t need more tricks. You don’t need more tactics. You need fewer distractions.
Your performance rises when your attention narrows into laser like focus.
One task.
One move.
Over and over.
So next time the storm hits, ask:
What’s the task?
Return to it. Stay with it. Let the result take care of itself.
Because, success isn’t magic.
It’s a HABIT of clarity.
This was such a validating and empowering read. Thank you for reframing the scattered brain as something that isn’t broken, just wired differently.
As someone who has struggled with feeling “lazy” or “inconsistent,” your perspective really hit home. I’ve found that leaning into structure (when I can manage it!) helps quiet the chaos a bit.
Do you have a favorite low-effort strategy for those off days when even the basics feel like a stretch?
Ahh, Marlinda, I felt that!
Thank you for such a real and beautifully honest comment.
Isn’t it wild how fast we can label ourselves as “lazy” when it’s usually just a wiring mismatch between what the world expects and how our brain naturally moves?
You’re not broken, you’re brilliant…
Just running a different operating system is all.
On those off days (and yep, I have ’em too), one low-effort thing that helps me is what I call…
“anchor actions”
Tiny, non-negotiable WINS that create a sense of rhythm, like brushing teeth while standing on one leg, or a 30-second reset breath before checking my phone.
It’s less about productivity, more about telling my nervous system, we’re still in the game.
But the goal isn’t perfection…
…it’s continuity.
Gentle structure instead of pressure.
Listening instead of shouting.
And hearing the silence.
Appreciate you being here and reflecting with me.
You’re doing better than you think
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)
Hey David!
I just had to message you, your article really spoke to me. The way you explained how staying focused and clear-minded can make a huge difference was seriously awesome.
In a world where everything’s loud and distracting, your words were like a reset button. I especially liked the part where you said success isn’t about doing more, but about doing less with purpose. That really clicked for me. Instead of chasing shortcuts, it’s about building solid habits with a clear goal in mind.
And that question you mentioned, “What’s the task?”, is such a simple but powerful way to stay on track. I’m definitely going to start using that when things feel all over the place.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. They really made an impact. Keep doing your thing!
Take care,
Eric
Hey Eric,
Man, this made my day.
Thank you.
It’s wild how something as simple as “What’s the task?” can cut through the noise like a hot knife through butter.
When the world gets chaotic, clarity isn’t found by speeding up, it’s in the deliberate slowing down, the honest asking, the steady choosing.
And you’re bang on…
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing less with way more intention.
Appreciate you taking the time to drop this note.
We’re all just tuning our internal compass in a world full of magnets, yeah?
Glad this helped re-center things for you.
Keep showing up with that clarity.
Quiet moves change the game
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)
This post truly resonated with me. As a stay-at-home mom transitioning into the online business world, I often find my mind overwhelmed with thoughts like, “Am I doing enough?” or “What if this doesn’t work?” It’s easy to get caught up in outcome-based thinking, especially when juggling family responsibilities and building a business.
Your emphasis on shifting focus from outcomes to tasks is a game-changer. I’ve started implementing this by setting small, specific goals each day, like writing a single blog post or engaging with my audience on social media. This approach not only reduces anxiety but also brings a sense of accomplishment.
I’m curious, how do you recommend maintaining this task-focused mindset when unexpected challenges arise, especially those that demand immediate attention? Also, are there strategies to train this mindset consistently, ensuring it becomes second nature over time?
Thank you for sharing such insightful strategies. They’ve provided clarity and direction during a time when it’s most needed.
Hey Alice ????
Thank you so much for sharing this…
Your words are full of honesty, strength, and intention.
That balance you’re holding between parenting and building something of your own?
It’s brave work.
And I promise, you’re doing enough—even when “sometimes,” it doesn’t feel like it.
I love that you’ve already started shifting toward task-based wins…
Things like writing one post or connecting with your audience.
That’s the real magic.
Success rarely comes from doing more, it comes from doing the right things
“In The Moment.”
When the unexpected shows up (and it always does), here’s something that’s helped me stay task-focused without getting thrown off course:
“Context decides the Task.”
If life gets loud, I don’t fight it.
I simply ask,
“Given what’s true right now, what’s the one small thing I can do well?”
Sometimes, that is the task, responding to life itself.
It keeps me in motion without guilt-tripping myself over what didn’t happen.
Also…
…since you asked about training the mindset, one of my favorite tools is actually from Craig Manning, a performance coach who works with elite athletes.
He teaches a powerful daily reflection:
List three things you did well today.
Then, name one thing you didn’t do well, but frame it with how you can improve it.
That last part is key.
You’re not judging yourself, you’re training your brain to shift from criticism to correction.
And over time, this builds confidence, clarity, and a quieter mind.
Here’s how that might look in your world:
“I connected with my community today.”
“I made space to rest when I needed it.”
“I showed up even when it was messy.”
“I struggled with focus, but tomorrow I’ll prep my space before starting.”
This small ritual rewires your relationship with progress.
It’s not about doing it all, just doing what matters, a little better each day.
You’re already deep in the work, Alice.
Keep watering that garden.
And whenever you feel scattered, just return to the question that always resets the compass:
“What’s the task?”
In your corner
Dedo (Chief MEME Officer)