Teen Exec Question of the Week

September 9, 2025

You’ve been working on an essay for days, but every time you sit down to write, you end up scrolling on your phone instead. The deadline is tomorrow, and you’re feeling stressed.

What’s the most effective first step to get focused?

Put your phone in another room and set a timer for 25 minutes of writing
Stay on your phone a little longer until you feel “ready” to work
Complain to your friends about how hard it is to get started
Start brainstorming tomorrow morning and hope inspiration comes before class
👈🏼 CLICK HERE TO REVEAL THE BEST RESPONSE

Best Response: A

Explanation: Distractions make it hard for your brain to switch into focus mode. Putting your phone away removes the biggest temptation, and setting a timer (like the Pomodoro method) creates a short, manageable window for concentration. Once you get started, momentum builds and focus gets easier.

Let’s look at the other options:

  • B postpones the problem and increases stress later.
  • C might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t move you forward.
  • D leaves everything to the last minute, which rarely leads to your best work.

Takeaway: Focus starts with action, not waiting. Remove distractions, give yourself a short block of time, and you’ll find it much easier to get into the flow.