Focus is one of those secret weapons that successful people have and use.
While some people may have motivation, persistence, drive, energy… They might find it difficult to reach their goals without the ability to focus.
I believe we live in an A.D.D. world – instant messaging, texting, instantaneous emails, information coming from all angles — that even if we don’t have Attention Deficit Disorder, we may inadvertently learn it.
So the ability to focus our attention has become even more important.
What is focus? Well the dictionary will say that as a verb it is to concentrate, or as a noun, a central point of attention or activity.
And I use the words “positive focus” as an intentional concentration on something that you see as important to your success into your life.
We discussed this topic at my biweekly “Coaching at the Corner” here on Nantucket. It was a lively discussion, for sure, and many of our participants lamented the challenges they have with staying focused because of the plethora of things they have pulling at them in all ways at all times. We all have these kinds of challenges, don’t we?
Here are some pointers:
1. Focus on the “right stuff.” Before you can apply your ability to focus, it’s important for you to decide your priorities. What is it that you want to do be or have in the short medium and long-range?
2. Clarity. The more clear you are on what those goals are, the easier it will be for you to focus. As Cheryl Richardson has said, “To focus means to bring your attention to the center, to concentrate on one thing intently in order to gain clarity.”
3. Execution. A lot of people have goals, and they just sit there in a book or on a piece of paper that is rarely referenced. Once you have clarity with your goals, the next move is to execute. Take steps in a focused way to achieve that target.
4. Conquer those distractions. Don’t let those distractions own you, take control. Do you really have to answer that telephone? Do you really have to respond to the email request for feedback on your recent online purchase? Do you need to have your email open at all? By recognizing your distractions, it is easier for you to minimize them.
5. 100%. Lastly, once you have decided to focus, give it 100%. Don’t give it 80% while thinking about something else with 20% of your gray matter. Even if your task will take only 3 minutes, give it 100% for those 3 minutes. I call it “full focus.”
It is interesting to think that what you focus on will grow, and what you neglect will either fade away or die. FFT…!
