by Darpan Sachdeva
The more I have been chasing for the success in life, the more I have got through the problem of dealing with daily distractions. We live today in a world of digital age where its so easy to get distracted with the various events, stories and cluttering around us.
I see today the role of “The Focus” as such much more indispensable and evident than ever before especially if your goal is to get success. Focus is the ability to set one’s mind and attention on a particular course until it yields the desired results. It involves channeling all your energy and concentration into a specific task, either long-term or short-term, and remaining in that state till the task is accomplished.
Focus requires a whole lot of commitment to one’s goal, because there are many things that may tend to sway one from that course; nevertheless, focus overcomes all these odds.
In our society today, we have too many people who are distracted by various things. For some, it is the comfort and the ease they enjoy that distracts them. For some others, it is the pressure of life’s demands – food, clothing, money, family, societal expectations etc. – that distracts them, while for some others, they are not so knowledgeable about living purposefully, hence, they live quite directionless lives.
Although distractions are a part of our daily lives as individuals, we still must learn to keep our eyes on the goal.
So how do you train yourselves to the focus in achieving your goals and be successful?
This is one question that has always been bothering me as I go ahead on my journey forward in achievement of success. The most important thing what I have been able to gather here is to make a clear definition of what success will look like in that situation when you get it. It is then that you will know if you nailed it, or if you need to refocus and go back into training.
Focus in my perception could be broken down in to the following:
1.Envision it:
Envision it right now. What does it look, smell, taste, sound and feel like to achieve your success?
What is the big thing you want to accomplish that will make you feel successful in all its aspects?
2.Create a concrete Plan:
Make a real time plan for your selves which includes your daily routines and habits that will take you forward towards your envisioned success.
Now the daring part of developing your plan is tell someone about it. Find your best friend or a family member that won’t laugh at you. They may give cautions and that is good, but no laughing. You have a written plan and now you are enlisting others to help you remain motivated as you strive to move forward.
3.Take Action on the plan:
That written plan is beautiful and exciting – but if it only gathers dust, it will never come to life. The words alone will not get you to success, only YOU can do that.
Jack Canfield writes on this very clearly in his co-authored book “The power of focus” where he beutifully points out the finer points as follows for the implementation of Focus:
- Each week take one day completely off. No business phone, no emails. No work. Just make it your day to think and plan. But don’t actually do any business work.
- Spend time with your family. At least one day each week should be a full family day. If you can’t do that, be sure to spend as much time as you possibly can each day in the mornings or evenings with the people you love and care about.
- Before going to sleep, create an outline of what you want to accomplish the following day. Not in your head, write it down. Do that from Monday to Friday.
- Find one thing that makes your day better. Each of us has things that we enjoy doing. Make sure you do something you enjoy each day. Whatever it is. Treat yourself.
- Take a nap. The authors suggest taking 25 minutes to sleep mid-day during the week. This will re-charge you and get you more focused. Especially if you’re waking up between 5:30-6:30am each morning.
- Ask more. Don’t be scared of rejection. You need to ask people in all situations for what you want. It’s what kids do. It’s what works. Ask and you’ll often get.
- Be consistent and persistent. Don’t give up on something after only a couple of tries. It can often take years of toiling away to make you an ‘overnight success’.
- Keep your promises. Most people don’t follow through and do what they say. If you do, make sure you promote that fact. In emails or calls to clients, let them know that you got ____ done “as promised.” That will reinforce your commitment.
4.Achieve it:
Take a moment and celebrate. Enjoy the victory. Call in all of those who helped you get there and celebrate with them. Offer thanks and enjoy. The next morning though, it’s time to start working on a new plan. A new road to a newer success landmark….
