Focus, foooocussss...

I was curious: what techniques do you guys use to stay focused on a task or project? Do some of you come by good focus skills naturally? Did any of you go through a period where you couldn't focus on anything and then through training or self-realization you were able to improve this ability? Have any of you resorted to medication to help out with focus issues?

The reason I am asking is that it's something that I struggle with quite a bit. There are times when I am able to focus moderately well and get things done, but most of the time I can't stay focused on anything past an hour at a time. I think I could be way happier in life if I could figure out a solution to my situation. And yes, this is a relatively new realization for me. I used to think it was cool because it let me expose myself to a hundred different ideas in a day and learn all kinds of random awesomeness. But now my poor focusing abilities are just getting in the way. I am in a very serious important job now, with multiple demands and a packed schedule and I could see a year down the road being completely overwhelmed by half-finished projects and not being able to stay on task you know?

Yes, the irony does not escape me. I figured I knew I had time this morning to post a bit, so if people don't reply until after they are done work no big deal :P

I was in the Navy for 11 years, and what I found with the discipline I learned there is that it pretty much only worked when you were in that environment. It was so easy to do only what you needed to do, because your life had infinitely more structure and focus day-to-day. By default, our schedules were very regimented, and that made everything way clearer and easier for me. And I was a musician to boot; it''s not like I had the roughest military experience, yet even doing that job I found it so much easier to focus on what I was doing (becoming a better musician, memorizing music for performances, etc., etc.) Once I got out, I found staying in the music scene doing brass quintet and whatnot would help, but that didn't go on for too long.

I exercise 5 days out of seven, usually running but sometimes steep incline walks. I also take Tae Kwon Do 2 nights a week. I am the mighty rank of YELLOW BELT (FEAR ME!!!). My fitness level is really good now. I went though a phase two years ago where I decided I had had enough of being overweight and I figured out a good system for me to lose and then maintain a healthy weight. 60 pounds lost later, and I can actually run n' punch people n' stuff. I find that while I am exercising or learning TKD I can focus and be in the moment no problems. Afterwards not so much. The bulk of my exercise is done during the work day (1.5 hour lunch + free college gym membership) and in the evenings. I've heard it's not great to work out later in the day, do any of you know anything about that or is that just a schoolyard rumour?

In any case, I am thinking I may have to go the chemical route. I can't think of anything else I could be doing to help myself out.