a different thread altogether, and the details of it probably escapes the broader scope of this particular thread.
if you have a distracting thought, create a symbol of it in your mind. (so, if you're worried about paying a bill, you might see an envelope for that bill with money sticking out). imagine it floating away down the river.
the other technique is a set of counting beads - big wooden ones from a craft store are cheap and work fine for this. (you want something big enough you can move them in your hand easily - 20 or so is fine.) start your meditation work holding the string in at least 