F For
O Optimum
C Concentration
U Use
S Self-discipline
How often we get mired down in a litany of small issues that eke their invasive tendri
ls through the tidy garden of our thoughts.
The result is a tangled mess where even the most beautiful aspects of our lives begin to resemble gnarled weeds.
When I find myself in this negative state of mind, I pause to recall an old Ojibway saying,
"Sometimes I go about pitying myself and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky."
When I remind myself of this saying, a warm tingling sensation spreads across my upper back and the worries of my day begin to recede.
I suddenly feel more fortunate than words could adequately describe.
We are in an age where information is multiplying at a faster rate than our brains are able to adequately process.
This mass of information leads us down a path enshrouded in fog where we gradually lose sight of those things that should matter the most.
In order to achieve our goals, we require focus.
Focus is a key element to success in every process or end point we are working on.
Understanding this enables us to lead a more fulfilling life both personally and professionally.
In today's hectic world, it's not always an easy task to stay focussed. There are, however, a number of things we can do to help us stay on track.
- Written Goals and Plans - Having
written goals, and plans to achieve those goals, helps to set our internal 'accomplishment mechanism', better known as our subconscious, to work for us. This is a very easy way to help us on the path to staying focused. - Remove Distractions - Staying focused is much easier when there are no distractions. This is something usually within our own control. We have the ability to control the environment in which we work and play to a certain degree.
- Accountability - Having accountability partners in our lives helps us to stay focused on the end goals or on the those things we should be focusing on in our lives. An accountability partner could be a spouse, friend, family member, business associate or even a group to which we belong.
- Maintaining Good Personal Health - There's an old saying , "If you have your health, you have everything". If we're not feeling well or are facing a serious illness, it's extremely hard to stay focused on anything other than the discomfort we're experiencing. Have a plan for good health maintenance and stick to it as much as possible.
- Declutter - When it comes to decluttering, we have to address not only our physical environments, but also our mental and emotional environments. If there are outstanding issues you should be facing, don't put them on hold. It may be difficult to bring them out into the open and discuss them with the appropriate party, however by not discussing them and failing to reach some resolution, our minds will be unable to properly focus on those things we should be focusing on.
- Commit - I wrote a post awhile back called The Power of Commitment; if you have a problem with commitment, please read it.
- Live with Purpose and Passion - On the same lines as commitment, living a life filled with purpose and passion ensures being able to be focus on those things that matter to us, both in our business and in our personal lives. We know when we are doing what we should be doing because it is at those times that we lose ourselves and are able to completely focus in an effortless way. Find your passion and follow it.
- Take Regular Breaks - No matter what you are trying to accomplish, it is important to take regular breaks to refresh your body, mind and spirit. Taking breaks applies to both our short term lives and our long term lives. Schedule regular holidays for yourself every 2-3 months, depending on how hard you are working on a weekly basis.
- Practice Meditation - Learning how to meditate teaches us how to have a disciplined mind wherein we are able to totally focus on whichever we want to focus at will. Meditation classes can be found in most communities now and many of them are free.
- Complete One Thing at a Time - Don't leave jobs undone. When starting on one job, make sure you see it through to completion. After completing a job, you will feel energized and will experience a rise in self-esteem and well-being. All of these contribute to your focusing power for the accomplishment of future goals.
Success in any aspect of our lives comes down to mastering the art of focusing.
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Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Brekland Realty Group, Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.oakville-burlingtonhomes.com |
Focus is the magical key. Distraction keeps many of us from achieving our highest and best. My 9-year old grandson is highly focused when he is playing baseball and that factor alone keeps his performance at a high level. Keeping our eye on the ball makes a huge difference no matter what game we are playing!
Jo,
I like #10. I'm not very good at multi-tasking. So, finish something off properly. This is a good list.
Brian
Declutter...you're not kidding...Helpful post for a Sunday night.
Jo - What a timely post there have been several things this year that have driven some of my actions some interrupted my focus while others have re-focused me. I have this sign just over my computer and all it says is FOCUS
Hi Jo,
Good advice. It is very easy to lose focus on what truly is important. Sometimes the little voices in my head are chattering so fast I can't even understand them ;)
One of my favourite sayings that help me get over the rough spots and stay focussed is: "And this too shall pass." That helps me not focus on the bad and put my energies on the good.
Jo,
I agree with Brian. I like to finish things off entirely before moving on. Unless it a long-term project, then I set daily goals.
Good list, I agree. Thanks for blogging.
What a well organized list of the basics of success! Printed and hung over my desk - THANKS!
Hi Jo-Anne -- A former boss once told me: Only touch a piece of paper and/or concept one time if possible, you will get much more done and that kind ties in with your #10, so great advice -- all of them! :)
Great list to post on our mirror as a morning reminder!
FOCUS - is definitely an important part of getting things done, and easier said than done.
Jo-Anne... You are so dead on correct. Thanks for the helpful reminder. I would say that real estate sales is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. We have to do everything.. sure we can leverage by hiring people to handle some of our detailed tasks. Get one needy client or client we need to hand hold an the whole thing can go sideways.
I do a list of 20 affirmations (business coach advised me to do) where they begin "I AM ..." for example "I AM COURTEOUS TREATING EACH CLIENT WITH GRACE AND EASE." to help my mind focus on the positive and who I want to be.
The last item is key..only one thing at a time and then you will feel better about the next goal!
#10 is my favorite and I am good at that one.
Great post. We all need to be reminded to stay focused. It's the only way to be successful long-term.
What a great timely post ! Will definitely re-read this a few times ! Thank you : )
Just shared your blog on Facebook ! Love it ! ~ Chris
Thabk you very much for this blog Jo. Sometimes my brain feels like a ball of string with a thousand loose ends sticking out.
Jo-Ann. Thanks! What a great way to start the week! I wish you well. I'm planning on getting really FOCUS'd this week. Take care.
Jo-Ann, wow! what a timely post. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just what I needed to read today. How many success stories can we all quote where a person achieved greatness due to being able to FOCUS! Thanks for the reminder. I'm off to de-clutter. Happy week!
Norma,
You're put it extremely well and it sounds like your Grandson has it all figured out.
Jo
Brian,
Finishing something is half the battle of future achievement....declutters not only our project list, but also our thoughts.
Jo
Ray,
Less is more!
Jo
Kathy,
Good for you! That's a great reminder to have in front of you at all times....
Jo
Pam,
That's a great reminder for yourself.....life is often like a roller coaster.
Jo
Jo- Great post! I think this will give me something to F-O-C-U-S on this week and beyond.
Great post. I bookmarked it so I can read it again and again.
Great post to start the week. It's so easy to get de-railed - it's important to recognize when we lose focus and how to stay on track.
Thanks for the post today on focus.....
Jo Anne:
What a terrific, detailed, and well-done post. I wish I could say I follow what you suggest. But I can say I am working on it.
Focus...I even use it with my 6 year old triplets!
Terry,
I'm with you and Brian.
Jo
Thanks Larry.
Pat, I feel very honoured!
Jo
hi Chris,
I've read that before in books on 'organizational skills'...good advice.
Jo
Sharon - True.
Christine -Definitely easier said than done.
Jo
Joseph,
It sounds like you have a great business coach....good for you!
Jo
Gary,
Very true!
Jo
Angelica,
It seems to be the favourite of many here....
Jo
Thanks Bernadine!
Chris - thanks kindly for sharing this post.
Jo
very helpful! got my attention! Thanks.
Fabulous post!!! Focus is my biggest challenge!!! I know it, but it still seems to get me. I feel like I have become ADD, guess it's all the hats I wear on a daily basis. This last weekend I worked on getting things back in order at home with the laundry and kids rooms. Today, I dedicated to my work space and I'm almost there. For some reason I have a habit of always almost finishing something, I always leave it a little undone. I'm unsure why I do this, but it's like I create things to still hang over me, crazy!!! Don't know why I developed this subconscious behavior, but it's time to consciously change that horrible habit. Thanks for your post again, because I have read the books, know what to do, change at times temporarily and then end up back to me. Your post is short and sweet and to the point. I will be bookmarking!!!
Cheers,
Declutter. That's my mantra.
I cleaned and decluttered my house in 2009. Now it's the office's turn. I am in the middle of moving and tossing crap like crazy.
Focus is so important. some days I need to put on my blinders to remain focused!
I like the last item best. Finish what you start. I tend to have many tasks ongoing at all times.
Hi Jo....Congratulations on your feature post. As for me, I always have way to many balls in the air, and when my timing is off, I drop a few. I have reviewed my plan to the point I have it memorized, I just need someone to hold the Balls up while I reach my goals.
Cheers, have an awesome week !
Yes... FOCUS... this is the best way to get things done... Great post and congrats on your feature
Jo, this is a great post with wonderful advice. Congrats on you feature you deserve it!! We teach our clients about focusing on their intentions with what they want to achieve in life. It sounds easy, but can be very challenging especially if there are silly "drama" distractions.
Jo...you are one wise woman. Great Post!!
Jo-Anne, that's what gets me - starting one thing then another pops up, then another and pretty soon I have 5 balls in the air and nothing;s complete! Completing one and moving on to the other...that is very calming and rewarding.
Joe - Talk about being focused AR Helps us to stay Focused ..... Another new tool from AR ..... Check out the new facebook like button on bottom of your public posts
Jo
It really is all about focus; talk to you soon.
can you turn your ten points into an acronym?
Jo-Anne,
Great Post. Without focus there is no success.
Thanks for sharing,
Matt Naumann
Hi Jo, I like the list, in fact I'm going to do myself a favor and go take a break in about 5 minutes.
Loved it! Re-blogged it! All the very best to you, Jo-Anne!
Very nice post.
Great blog Joanne. Your points are well taken, and organized. Looking forward to much more...