The Struggle of Chasing the Next Thing — And Why Focus Feels Impossible
- Ashley
- Jul 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like you’re on a hamster wheel, chasing the next big idea, the next shiny thing, the next goal… and never quite catching your breath.
Yeah, me too.
For a long time, I was the queen of “What’s Next?” — always looking ahead, planning, dreaming, hustling. I had notebooks filled with ideas, side projects, and ambitions. But the problem wasn’t the dreams — it was the chasing.
That restless energy that keeps pulling you forward, but never lets you settle.
Why Focus Feels Like an Impossible Dream
Focus? Ha. Sometimes it feels downright impossible.
There are a million distractions — both outside and inside my own head. Social media, emails, endless to-do lists. But more than that, there’s this gnawing feeling that if I stop chasing, I’ll fall behind. Like if I pause, the opportunity disappears.
And honestly? Sometimes it feels like I have attention deficit life disorder. My brain jumps from one idea to another, unable to land on just one.
The Cost of Constantly Chasing
The hustle culture says: keep going. Keep grinding. Don’t stop until you get there.
But that chase? It can be exhausting. Draining. And, ironically, it makes progress feel slower, not faster.
When you’re constantly chasing, you miss the magic of being present.
You miss the joy of small wins.
You miss the chance to build momentum with focus.
What Helped Me Catch My Breath
I had to learn to slow down. To stop idolizing the next big thing and start appreciating the now.
Here’s what worked for me:
Set small, clear priorities. Instead of a dozen projects, I focus on 2 or 3 goals that actually matter to me right now.
Time-block my day. Scheduling specific times for deep work — and protecting them fiercely — keeps me anchored.
Celebrate tiny wins. That one email sent, that one workout done, that one conversation had. It’s progress.
Practice gentle self-talk. When my brain starts jumping, I remind myself it’s okay to wander — and then guide it back without judgment.
Focus is a Practice, Not a Trait
Here’s the truth: focus isn’t some magical gift you’re born with. It’s a muscle you build.
And like any muscle, it needs patience, practice, and rest.
Some days you’ll be sharp and dialed in. Other days, you’ll be scattered and all over the place. And that’s normal.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone
The urge to chase what’s next is real — but it doesn’t have to rule you.
Maybe it’s time to stop running after focus, and start inviting it in — gently, with curiosity and kindness.
And if you want a little help finding your calm in the chaos, I’ve got tools and coaching designed to help you slow down, get clear, and start building that focus muscle.
Because you deserve to feel grounded in your own life — not like you’re chasing it forever.
With love and patience, Ashley
Certified Coach + Focus Advocate + Midlife Dreamer
Grab your totally FREE Guidebook HERE
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