Focus

Focus, it can be a thing or an action. The thing is a central point of attention or activity. The action is to concentrate.

Focus (or the lack of it) has been on my mind lately. So I found it interesting that the books (yes that is meant to be plural) I am reading right now talk about it in one way or another. A little background, if you haven't picked it up yet. I have a history of not concentrating too long on one activity and often having more than one iron in the fire at a time. Many people have tried to tell me about the perils of this approach to life. However, I thought that trying many things and sampling different styles wasn't really a bad way to live life. Maybe it isn't entirely bad, but I'm learning it can be detrimental if you are trying to accomplish something.

That brings me back to the books, all three of them (once again, I recognize I have a problem!) These three books, including one titled "Focus", speak on the subject.

Mike Schmoker, in Focus, talks about the "importance of simplicity, clarity and priority." Making sure we know our priorities, communicating them clearly, and keeping them simple enough to guarantee we can focus on and achieve our goals is imperative. While Schmoker is speaking specifically about improving student learning, he draws analogies from the business world as well as educational institutions. These principles hold true in smaller settings as well, like families and individual lives.

Dave Ramsey, in his book Financial Peace Revisited, emphasizes the need for focus on your strengths to succeed. When you know what you are good at and how to put that into practice effectively, success personally and financially will follow, according to Ramsey. He quotes Thomas Edison "The secret of success is focus of purpose." So no matter what your purpose, focus is what will help you get there. An unwavering attention on the goal you want to achieve.

Seth Godin, in The Dip, talks about knowing when is the right time to quit. Part of what he talks about is being focussed and hardworking to get where you want to go. Working with your strengths and working hard to achieve your goals and not giving up before you get there. The focus that leads you through 'the dip' ("the long slog between starting and mastery") to the other side is "rewarded by a marketplace in search of the best."  Although I started reading this book for an entirely different reason, it has gotten me thinking about my purpose and where I am concentrating my time and energy.  Am I in a "Cul-de-sac" or a "Dip"?  What are some of the things I should quit and with what should I persevere?

Focus, it seems, brings success of purpose. Hmm, fancy that.  It helps you know where to put resources and energy and frees you up to say no to those things that aren't part of your purpose.  I thought I knew this, but it seems I forget it, often.  Although many things are worthwhile and good, keeping yourself working towards a few, very clear goals will be much more rewarding in the long run.   The idea is that you and the people you serve will be better from your focus.  Whether it is students, customers, or clients, family, friends or self, your ability to focus will bring success and benefit.

So what's my purpose and how can I focus in on that for success?  What detracts from my ability to focus?  How can I recognize when I'm getting off track?  What helps you focus and be okay with saying no to all those other great things out there?  I'd love to hear about your experiences and what works for you.