Effectivity
Out of Focus?
The world around us is complex enough without us trying to take it in all at once. We can only deal with one thing at a time but we are restless. Our fickle eyes are never still. Moving from one object to the next, then on again like some over excited puppy. Our minds pick up and discard thoughts like they were shells on a beach. Each turned over and then dropped back to the sand to pick up the next more exciting one. How can we hope to concentrate on important things when we are so distracted?
Focus is number 1 when it comes to success. You have probably heard that commitment is the most important thing, but without focus these are meaningless. Focus enables commitment. Commitment that is unfocused quickly spreads too thin. Without focus commitment loses its strength and becomes downgraded to enthusiasm. A good thing -but not enough to achieve anything remarkable.
True mastery happens when we become aware of what is important and what is irrelevant. It shows up when we are able to focus our attention without working at it. An expert archaeologist, instinctively focuses on the vital clues in uncovering hidden mysteries. Their discoveries depend on their ability to focus on what is important.
Focus comes as second nature for all of us at some time. Last time you found yourself hunched over your desk, painstakingly working on that obsession, that was focus. When the hours disappeared and you found yourself riding a wave of productivity, that was focus. Nothing came between you and your task. Maybe it was a while ago that you experienced this, but you know the feeling don’t you?
How can we generate focus when we need it? Is there a way that we can make ourselves focus on what we know is important? Here I am going to ask for suggestions. Please drop a comment below with your ideas on how to focus. What works for you? What do you find it easy to focus on? When do you find it hardest to focus? Lets try and work this out together.
Thanks
Tom
Discussion
2 comments for “Out of Focus?”
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When I am alone at home having the whole day free for doing the things important to me. Unfortunately such opportunities to isolate myself are usually very seldom. Finding opportunities to isolate may help getting the focus. - Therefore in the past I did a lot of important work in the night. But then not getting enough sleep is reducing the productivity.
Another thing is the feeling of responsibility and liability. Usually a good property to feel responsible it causes distraction and “dividing” the forces to work on different roads simultaneously. So getting to focus means maybe also narrowing the responsibilities to what is really important.
Hi Martin
That is a great point. If we narrow our responsibilities or at least our perception of them then we have a better chance of focusing on what counts. There is nothing that leaves me feeling more scatter brained than having too many demands going at once.
Thanks for that
Tom