Sep 29, 2021
Episode #447: How to Engage in Focused
Thinking
I believe one of the biggest problems we have in life
is that we do not devote enough time to focusing on the Life we
Want to Live, The Person we Want to Become, and the Goals We Desire
to Achieve. I’d like to share some great wisdom today from a
book I have on my desk in my office.
by John C Maxwell: How Successful People Think
Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
In order to become Successful in life, relationships,
business or personally, I believe we need to strive to find
time to Engage in Focused Thinking.
Maxwell says that focused thinking will help you to
remove distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate
on an issue and think with clarity. He says it can do several
things for you…
1- Focused Thinking Harnesses Energy Toward a Desired
Goal
-the greater the difficulty or size of problem
the more focused thinking is required.
2- Focused Thinking Gives Ideas Time to
Develop
-sometimes to take ideas to the next level you
need to shift from being expansive to thinking very selectively
and this requires focused time on your
objectives.
3- Focused Thinking Brings Clarity to the
Target
-to attain your goal you need to focus on a clear
target and focused thinking will help you to clarify your
goals and achieve them.
4- Focused Thinking Will Take You to the Next
Level
-in order to achieve greatness you must spend time
specifically working on your talent and skills needed to achieve
your goals.
But, the question starts to form for most
people, “Where should you focus your
thinking?”
Maxwell tells us that you should focus your
thinking into 4 main areas: leadership, creativity,
communication and intentional networking. He goes on
to gives several steps to help you determine what those
key areas should be specifically for you.
1- Identify your Priorities
Start by listing out your priorities in
each area of your life. Then, begin to narrow in
on you strengths and the areas that are the best use of your
talents and abilities. Obviously you should priorities
the areas you get the biggest ROI and follow the 80/20
Rule.
2- Discover Your Gifts
Most people are unaware of what their true
strengths are. I like to follow the advice of one of my
Mentors and Partners Robert Stuberg who talks about narrowing in
your time and attention in your area of Unique Talent. This
is represented by the things that you are Excellent and Passionate
about.
3- Develop Your Dream
I talk a lot about clarifying what your dream is.
Maxwell talks about using Focused time to discover your
dream if you are unsure what it is. I like to ask myself
a key question if I ever feel stuck on what my DREAM really is…Try
asking, “What do you want your life to be
like?”
The next step in implementing
more Focused Thinking in your life is to Stay Focused while you are
practicing this specific daily or weekly activity. You can do
this by:
-
Removing Distractions
-
Making Specific Time for Focused Thinking
-
Keeping Items of Focus in Front of You
-
Setting Goals
-
Questioning & Tracking Your Progress
Finally, you must truly identify what you are going to
sacrifice to find time and commit to Focused Thinking. After
all, if your life is worth living, then its time to identify the
areas of your life you can cut back on. In fact, you should
be willing to give-up some of the things you love in order to
focus on things that will make a major impact on your life and
quality of life.
Ultimately, I’d like you to ask yourself a critical
question…
Am I dedicated to removing distractions and mental
clutter so that I can concentrate with clarity on Creating the Life
I Truly Desire to Live, and Become the Person I would like to
Be?
I appreciate you listening today. Have an
Amazing Week.
George Wright III