How do I stay focused on a task or activity? #postaday2011

When I re-entered higher education in 1991 my two children were 6 and 3 years old. My daughter was in kindergarten and my son was in daycare while I attended classes at Austin Community College (ACC, now Riverland Community College. I didn't have a car at the time so our mornings included a brisk walk to the elementary school to drop Liza off and then a quick walk to daycare with Scott. ACC was about two miles from Scott's daycare. At the end of the day I reversed my steps and walked home with the kids. We had dinner, played games, watched movies (no cable in those days), and kids were in bed between 7:30 and 8:00 pm. I didn't crack a book open until they were sound asleep - it didn't seem appropriate that they would not be with me all day and then not have me when we were home at night. I would study until 2-3 am and begin our day all over the next morning at 6:30 am. The house and neighborhood was quiet after the kids were asleep, and I didn't have too much trouble focusing other than trying to stay awake. After graduating from ACC we moved to Mankato, MN and I finished my BS and MS at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We lived in a trailer park near campus and mistakenly I didn't check out the neighbors before moving in. We lived next door to football players who loved to party Thursday-Saturday, my prime days to study, particularly when the kids visited their Dad for the weekend. It was at this time that I developed the habit of listening to classical music when I studied. It covered up the noise from my neighbors and told my brain to focus. After our home was burglarized we relocated to a three bedroom apartment in a building with security. We had people living next door,  above, and below our apartment. Our neighbors had a variety of hours, visitors, children, and relationships. On one side the married couple with two kids fought every night. Above us the two graduate students walked with very heavy heals. Music played from all around us. I found listening to classical music both an escape and relaxing. After finishing my MS we made four more moves before I started my doctoral degree. Classical music was there again to help me focus and complete my goals. I've listened to so much of this music now, 19 years after returning to higher education, that when I plug in my ear buds and hear the music my brain instantly pays attention while my body relaxes. The gift of focus has changed my life.