I enjoy painting, and I’ll admit that I’m not the neatest painter out there—I get a lot on me. And I’m not the fastest painter either, but I feel like I do a pretty good job.  One of the tools that helps me improve my painting skills is painter’s tape (the blue stuff is my favorite). It enables me to block out areas where I don’t want paint so I can fully invest my time and energy in the areas where I want to do a good job of painting. 

Setting boundaries 

One of the key lessons I teach about improving focus is the importance of setting boundaries. Before diving into any task, decide in advance where you want to direct your attention and energy. This is where your mental painter’s tape comes into play. Just as painter’s tape helps you create smooth lines, mental painter’s tape helps you block out distractions and focus on what truly matters—what I refer to in my new book as, the “honeyflow state.” By applying mental painter’s tape, you are actively choosing what not to spend your attention on so you can concentrate fully on the areas that deserve your time and energy. This practice helps your mind relax and become fully engaged with what’s in front of you.

Applying mental painter’s tape

Before you embark on a task, project, or even a conversation, take a moment to apply your mental painter’s tape. Here’s how.

Visualize your canvas

Imagine your workspace, for example, as a blank canvas. What areas do you want to keep pristine? What distractions need to be taped off?

Create your tape

Write down potential distractions that could pull you away from your focus—social media notifications, cluttered environments, phone calls, or emails. Mentally “tape off” these areas by placing them aside where they won’t interfere with your current project. Acknowledge that some are valid interruptions so your mind can be ready for them later, but remain focused on creating your masterpiece now.

Set boundaries

Communicate your need for uninterrupted time to those around you. A simple statement like, “I’m painting my masterpiece right now. I’ll be with you in an hour,” can help establish those boundaries (and keep others busy wondering what you’re up to). There are three main types of boundaries you can focus on that will help you establish clear boundaries: quantity, energy, and time. For a deeper understanding of how to use those boundaries, check out my video here.

The cleanup

Just as every painting project requires cleanup afterward, so does maintaining focus in our lives. Using mental painter’s tape not only helps us concentrate but also simplifies our cleanup process.

Minimizing the mess

By blocking out distractions ahead of time, we reduce the mess in our minds. This means less mental clutter to sift through later when we’re trying to reflect on what we accomplished.

Easier reflection

With clear boundaries set, reviewing our progress becomes more straightforward. You can easily identify what worked well and what didn’t without getting bogged down by unnecessary distractions.

Faster recovery

If something does go awry during your focused work session—like an unexpected interruption—you can quickly reapply your mental painter’s tape to get back on track without significant disruption.

Crafting your masterpiece

Applying mental painter’s tape in our lives not only enhances our focus but also cultivates a sense of peace and clarity while easing the cleanup afterward. Just as painter’s tape helps create smooth lines, establishing clear boundaries enables us to navigate our tasks with precision and intention. Every masterpiece starts with a clear vision. 

Published Jan. 22, 2025, in Jones Loflin’s blog.