Focus definition:
- the concentration of attention or energy on something
- concentrate: direct one’s attention on something
- cause to converge on or toward a central point
On the outside this week has been a week of opposites – on Monday I was running a head hunting course for recruitment consultants and on Sunday I will be delivering the first module in a personal development program for a martial arts academy.
What is interesting are the similarities.
At a break in the head hunt training the recruitment consultants asked me how to be successful in recruitment – a very common question. The week before I had asked Sensei Craig Long, six times British kickboxing champion and owner of the York Martial Arts Academy what made people successful at martial arts. The answer it turns out is the same thing; focus.
But let’s put some perspective on this in case I’m just getting carried away as us personal development specialists can do; so just how much different does focusing on a goal or objective make?
Consider the following two statements; one is true, one is not:
1) If you focus on a goal or an objective you will reach it.
2) If you focus on a goal or an objective you will get closer to your goal and increase your chances of reaching it and being totally successful.
Being a realist I would offer the second statement as the true one. Focus does not guarantee success but it increases the odds in your favour!
And whether you are preparing for martial art combat, building a career or working towards a personal goal improving the odds has to be a good thing!
Until next time; be successful
Stephen
Trainer, Coach, Public Speaker
NEW Addition: PS – A very interesting comment has been added by a reader – I would invite all other readers to read it and add their thoughts
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Photograph by the talented Jade Macalla, photo manipulation by me
Very interesting Stephen.
I agree with some parts and disagree with others. Yes, focus can/does make a difference – sometimes quite a significant one. However, in martial arts, just as in business, focus can sometimes cross into obsession (I know this personally) where the end-result is all that matters, no matter the consequences and no matter that it is driven by a dyfunctional mindset. In work parlance, it translates into workaholism.
I feel that the result/goal has to have a clear and strong purpose as to its pursuit, so that we exhibit healthy internal thinking and healthy external actions. And so that we can also “enjoy” the journey.
In any event, I still feel that focus on its own is still no guarantee – ability, creativity, identifying opportunities in the recruitment marketplace etc. etc. all play their part too – sometimes, more importantly than any “focus” we apply.
Thanks for the thought-food Stephen.
I’ve suffered from ADHD since childhood, so I understand how important focus is as I’ve had to practice this heavily to control distractions in all areas of my home and work life. Whilst I take Paul’s comment on board, I would suggest that without focus creativity and the ability to identify real business opportunities is difficult to achieve. If we take creativity literally and apply it to famous artists, we see that these people tend to be incredibly focused, particularly whilst in the process of creating their works of art. Artists tend to create their best work in solitude and with few distractions. They are completely focused on the task in hand. When identifying business opportunities we need to focus on the detail of such opportunities to see whether there is a synergy and to build our business case in response to the opportunity. Gaining ability takes focus too, the more we listen and understand what’s going on around us the better our ability to understand our environments and our roles within these.
Paul mentioned the fine line between focus and obsession and whilst I agree, I would point out that many of the most successful people I have met have been obsessive by nature, although they refer to themselves as driven as they feel that the term obsessive has negative connotations.
Thanks for an interesting article Stephen.
Hmmm – Brilliant Blog! I think it’s all about “Aims & Objectives”. Focus on those aims and objectives and you do stand more chance of attaining them.
An example. I attended a course where I was asked to write down three personal goals. Here they are;
1) To pay off my Mortage before I’m fifty
2) To play Classical Spanish Guitar really well
3) To earn £100k per annum over the next five years (as an average)
I was then asked what I was doing about achieving these goals. Was I:
1) Paying my Bonus or commissions off the Mortgage and living on my Basic
2) Was I taking Guitar Lessons
3) Had I any idea what business levels I would need to achieve to realise average earnings of £100k pa
I had to say a resounding “No” to all three!
Bit embarrassing really!
It taught me a lesson – Differentiate between “Goals” or “Aims & Objectives” and a “Wish List”.
We all have dreams and wishes and that’s how they remain but with effort, commitment, determination and hard work Goals can be attained.
Focussing on a “wish” is, I think, futile. Focussing on a goal will enable that goal to be met (or very close).
So my definition of Focus is Commitment, determination but above all Hard Work and effort.
By the way Mortgage should be done by 55 at present rate of Focus!