Conzentrate
By Sam Horn
Book Review of "Conzentrate"
It is quite common for life coaching clients to come with the complaint that they are finding it difficult to concentrate or focus. Sam Horn's book: "Conzentrate" contains a whole variety of techniques for helping people to focus which will be of use to individuals in coaching themselves as well as to coaches who may want ideas to help their clients.
One of the problems with helping with difficulties in concentration is that it really requires a clear assessment of what is actually going on for the person who is having difficulty concentrating before you can prescribe one or more potential solutions. Early on in the book Horn sets out 12 different blocks to concentration and I would recommend that readers start by reading that section carefully and deciding which of the blocks are most applicable to them. To illustrate the variety in the kind of blocks which may apply, here are 3 of those given in Horn's list:
- No Privacy (i.e.Being in an environment full of distractions from others)
- No Energy (i.e. Being unable to focus or concentrate becuase you are exhausted)
- No Interest (i.e. Not being interested by the task you are trying to accomplish).
Unfortunately Horn doesn't in my view set out his book in a logical sequence which would enable you to identify the particular block that you are facing and then select the most appropriate techniques or ideas to help with that block. Nonetheless if you scan the book quickly first you will probably be able to find the sections which are most relevant to the blocks that you personally are experiencing and then focus on those sections.
The book incorporates a variety of complementary approaches including:
- Mediation techniques and an approach explicitly linked to zen philosophy
- Standard practical tips such as information about setting goals and giving yourself incentives to complete tasks you are finding it difficult to finish
- Visualisation techniques such as you might find in NLP (neuro linguistic programming) manuals
- Advice about creating a helpful office and working environment
- Advice about how to make your home a relaxing, ordered and fun place where you can unwind and replenish your mind
- Tips on prioritising tasks such as that rather than try to compare competing priorities it is more helpful to decide first what your overall purpose or mission or responsibility is and then to see which one of your different potential tasks would contribute most towards that purpose.
- Miscellaneous points which are worth bearing in mind - for example, that if you are taking over the counter medication or prescription drugs and having difficulty concentrating, read the label of the medication to check whether your lack of concentration might be a side effect!
This is a helpful book full of useful strategies. You will probably have to pick your way through it to find those which are most helpful for your particular situation.
Personally I found the most interesting section in the book was the one almost at the end of it, including an exercise suggested by Horn involving analysing your use of your time. Horn asks you to analyse your use of time into 4 sections (represented in the book in squares) as follows:
List in Square 1: What you are doing that you want to do.
List in Square 2: What you are not doing that you want to do.
List in Square 3: What you are doing that you don't want to do.
List in Square 4. What you are not doing that you don't want to do.
Once you have done this Horn then gives tips on how you can use the information to help you to think about your priorities and whether your use of your time is aligned with them. If it is not that may be one reason why you are finding it difficult to concentrate.
For information about purchasing "Conzentrate" by Sam Horn, click on the image below:
David Bonham-Carter, the writer of this review is a life coach specialising in stress, anxiety, self esteem and related issues. For information about his life coaching services, visit: Life Coaching.