Have you ever been out with a friend or been in a business meeting and known that the other person is not giving you their undivided attention?

Or you were talking to someone on the phone and you know darn well they are not paying attention.

How does this make you feel? Have you ever been caught on the other end of the stick?

Multitasking does not pay off.

How can you stay engaged and focused when you have a cluttered mind or a cluttered life?

Check out this short video:

Did you know the mind can only focus on one thought at a time?

I was having a big meeting the other day. The person I was with had their phone on the table. Each time it buzzed beeped moved or shook she looked. These little interruptions make our would- have-been 30 minute meeting into 45 minutes. You think not so bad only an extra 15 minutes however, that all adds up. Not to mention I did not feel important or special. I was wanting to hire this person for one of my clients. Would they give my client their undivided attention?

Could this multitasking cost you a job? Could this multitasking be costing you a loving relationship? Could this multitasking be giving you a cluttered mind or a cluttered life?

A doctor was telling me that her nine year old daughter will ask her “mommy where did you just go” when she sees her mom lose attention or disengage. Imagine a nine-year-old being tuned into that. Her precious nine year old mind is not cluttered and hopefully she does not have a cluttered life.

Why not give these top 5 tips on a cluttered life a try.

Tip #1: Start by dedicating your full attention. Relationships are built on trust and you earn trust by listening and proving you are interested. If you cannot do this then rebook your time with them.

Tip#2: Turn off your phone, computer, etc. when you are in the company of others. Especially business meetings and family time.

Tip #3: Focus by really concentrating on the other person’s words. Listen to them instead of thinking about what you might say next.

Tip #4: Clear your mind of other thoughts prior to a meeting or prior to family time, by taking a few deep breaths or listening to your favorite tunes.

Tip #5: Don’t answer your phone unless you can give your full attention to the person on the other end.

Is a cluttered life hurting your relationships? Are you able to give your full attention to the person you are with? Are you able to turn off work when you get home and hang out with your kids?

Do you need to take a few minutes to change “hats?” If so, you will want to take those few minutes.

In the long run people remember how you made them feel. They do not always remember your words or actions.

Everyone has an invisible sign hanging around their neck that reads “make me feel important”…even you.