Focus is power. Its energy. Its commitment. When we are scattered (and I know from experience) we dilute our power and potential. Being focused does not mean you never relax or let go, but it does mean that when it comes to your most valued priorities, you know the value and skill of shifting your focus like a sharpened and handy tool for excellence. However, with so many things pulling for our attention, how does one focus? You start by focusing on focus itself. How? Ask yourself these three questions:
1. What is in the way of my focus? It could be clutter, lower-valued demands on your time and attention or processes that can be streamlined with a little thought. Discover them and eliminate, clean or simplify.
2. When do I feel the most focus and why? Try to identify the elements that are encouraging your greater focus. We are all so unique and respond to people and environments differently. Being aware of what “works for you” is a lifelong question that encourages continuous refinement in your work systems. For me, I like to write out an entire picture of what I want to accomplish in the long run then begin pulling “weeds” that sap too much of my energy toward that vision. Life is an organic and ever-changing environment….go with it.
3.What tool will help my focus? We are physical beings with physical lives, so even if you had the much-admired “photographic-memory” in school and aced your tests with little study – since you could recall information so well - it probably falls short with today’s sheer volume of information and demands. This does not mean you need what your neighbor has in terms of gadgets, but what will support your very unique operating system called your brain. In other words, it should be effortless to use. My personal rule is that my planning tool should be visual as well as easily adjust to my current lifestyle (flexible in design)….and I must enjoy using it otherwise….I won’t.
When we focus, we simply offer better quality.
