|
Being
focused is powerful and attracts success. For many people their focus only
lasts a short while before slipping away. When you're clear about what you
want to focus on*, the next step is to keep that focus. Do whatever it takes
to maintain it.
Discovering what you're going to focus on may or may not have been the easy
part, depending on you as an individual. Now comes the really challenging
part, maintaining that focus. Being focused for a day or two is easy; what is
difficult for most people is to continue day after day. This commitment is
required so that momentum builds, progress is made and you see the results.
If you don't maintain the necessary focus, your effort will be half-hearted
and your use of all resources will be ineffective, including your time. You
made a decision about what to focus on and now you can choose to maintain
that focus.
|
There are likely to be many things which
side-track you. You may have doubts: "Are these the right things to be
focusing on?" Or distractions, interruptions and things that seems to
get in the way. Loss of enthusiasm, lack of confidence or information overload
can all cause you to question your focus. At least every day and when any
of these things take you off track, re-connect with your focus in order to
maintain it.
What does it take
to keep focused?
|
|
Write down your specific areas of focus as a clear reminder
and keep them prominent. Spend time regularly visualizing and journaling
about you being focused and the things you're focusing on. Bring this alive
for yourself. You need to see yourself as someone who is focused and
continually practise it. Believing yourself to be a focused person is a
crucial step and this belief will encourage you to take the action necessary
to support this. Be aware of any negative self-talk and beliefs that hold you
back from being focused and move beyond them. Remind yourself of the big
picture, your vision and take steps each day that are aligned with it. It's
one thing to say that you're focused and another to do it. As they say,
actions speak louder than words, so take action every day, however small.
Remind yourself regularly of your compelling reason. If at any time it's not
compelling enough to inspire you naturally, go back and reinforce it.
Focus can often be seen as hard work but it doesn't have to be that way. Plan
your time to do something totally different, to revitalize you and to leave
you free to hear the clues your intuition is giving you. Listen to your
intuition for feedback about being focused and appreciate the need for
feedback from others. Be open to receive feedback as encouragement and
clarification. Accept that being focused is a journey and keep learning and
practising along the way.
Maintaining your focus comes from seeing progress. Measure this progress by
the steps you take each day. Make each action step a doable task and be
consistent. A little done every day soon adds up to lot. Set performance
goals each day for the things you're focusing on. Celebrate these steps and
celebrate yourself when you are focused. Build on the successes of being
focused and they will increase. At times, go back and discover what you need
to focus on again and use this as an opportunity to re-assess and gain
clarity.
Staying focused is easier with a partner, someone who will encourage and
challenge you to be focused. Find a focus partner you feel accountable to,
who is willing to have fun yet still challenge you. Be willing to do whatever
it takes to be focused and find ways to keep it fun, outrageous and treat it
as a game. The game may be to record how long you're able to stay focused and
to challenge yourself to increase it each time.
|
