How to Protect Your NetCasting Hour (The Focus Protocol)

You know you need to build your list. You've committed to the 14-hour sprint. You're ready to start.

But then life happens.

Your phone buzzes. Slack lights up. Kids need something. Email pings. That thing you forgot to do suddenly feels urgent.

Before you know it, your "focused hour" becomes 37 scattered minutes of half-attention.

Here's the truth: You don't need more time. You need better boundaries.

Let me show you how to protect your NetCasting hour so you actually make progress.

Why One Focused Hour Beats Three Scattered Ones

Distracted work isn't just slower—it's less effective.

When you're constantly context-switching (checking your phone, answering messages, thinking about other tasks), your brain never fully engages with name-recall.

Result: You forget people. You second-guess names. You lose momentum.

One uninterrupted hour produces better results than three distracted hours.

The Focus Protocol (Pre-Hour Setup)

Before you start each NetCasting session, do this 5-minute setup:

1. Silence everything (1 min)

• Phone on airplane mode or Do Not Disturb

• Close all browser tabs except your spreadsheet

• Quit Slack, Teams, email apps

• Turn off desktop notifications

2. Gather your tools (1 min)

• Your NetCasting tracker spreadsheet

• Phone contacts (if relevant for that hour)

• Old photos or yearbooks (if helpful)

• Water bottle (stay hydrated)

3. Set a timer (1 min)

• 60 minutes on the clock

• Visible countdown keeps you focused

• Commit: "I'm doing nothing else until this timer goes off"

4. Prime your brain (2 min)

• Read the coaching moment for that hour

• Review the name triggers

• Quick prayer: "God, bring names to mind"

Now you're ready. No distractions. Clear focus. Let's go.

The Physical Environment Matters

Where you work affects how you work.

Best: Closed door, quiet room, sitting at a desk

Good: Coffee shop with headphones, library study room

Avoid: Couch with TV nearby, bed, anywhere with high foot traffic

Your brain associates environments with activities. Work in a "focus space" and your brain knows it's time to concentrate.

The "I'll Just Check..." Problem

The biggest focus killer: "I'll just quickly check my email..."

No. You won't.

Here's what actually happens: You check email. See something urgent-ish. Start thinking about it. Lose your train of thought. Takes 5 minutes to refocus.

The rule: Touch nothing except your NetCasting tracker for the full hour.

Everything else can wait 60 minutes. If it truly can't, you weren't ready to start your NetCasting hour.

What to Do When Your Brain Wanders

Your mind will drift. That's normal.

You'll think: "Oh, I should email that person... Did I pay that bill?... What's for dinner?"

Here's the fix: Keep a "Later List" next to your tracker.

When random thoughts pop up, write them down and immediately return to name-building.

"Email Sarah" → Write it on Later List → Back to names

"Pay water bill" → Write it on Later List → Back to names

This clears your mental RAM without breaking focus.

The Family/Roommate Conversation

If you live with others, have this conversation before you start:

"I'm doing focused work for the next hour. Unless it's truly urgent, please don't interrupt. I'll be available right after."

Set a physical signal: Closed door = do not disturb. Headphones on = I'm working.

Most interruptions aren't actually urgent. They're just convenient timing for someone else.

Protect your hour.

What If Something Actually Urgent Happens?

Life happens. Kids get hurt. Real emergencies occur.

If something truly urgent interrupts your hour, handle it. Then reschedule your NetCasting hour for later that day or the next day.

Don't try to finish a "sort of" hour. You won't get good results.

Better to do 14 fully focused hours than 20 half-distracted ones.

The Energy Factor

Pick your hour strategically based on your energy.

High-energy times (best for NetCasting):

• Morning after coffee, before email

• Right after lunch, before afternoon slump

• Evening if you're a night person

Low-energy times (avoid):

• First 15 minutes after waking up

• Right before bed when you're tired

• During your typical energy crash time

NetCasting requires mental energy. Schedule it when you have it.

The Momentum Principle

Here's what happens when you protect your focus time:

Hour 1: You add 25 names in a focused hour. Feel great.

Hour 2: You add 40 names in a focused hour. Momentum builds.

Hour 3: You add 40 more. You're on a roll.

By Hour 4, you're in a rhythm. Your brain knows what to do. Names flow naturally.

But if you break focus constantly? Every hour feels like starting over.

Consistency beats intensity. Protected hours beat scattered effort.

Your Action Step

Before you start Hour 1, answer these questions:

When will I do this hour? (Specific day and time)

Where will I work? (Specific location)

What will I silence? (Phone, apps, notifications)

Who needs to know I'm unavailable? (Family, roommates, coworkers)

Write down your answers. Commit to them.

Then honor that commitment like you would any important appointment.

Because it is.

Ready to start? Set your timer. Silence everything. Open your tracker.

One focused hour. That's all you need.

Let's go!