One of the great keys to high achievement is the ability to
focus. Most of us are capable of extraordinary things when
we focus our time, effort, talent and skills to achieve a
desired goal.
One of my favorite examples is the remarkable ability
teenagers have to spend time on the phone with their
friends. No matter how hard parents try to get them to do
their homework first, no matter how many other things
"distract" them, kids have a super-natural ability to find
a phone and connect with their friends. They know what they
want and they find a way - despite all the "obstacles" laid
down by parents and circumstances - to get it done.
If only we adults had that ability!
As a coach, I am frequently asked "how can I get more
done?" Clients and friends ask about the "secret" to being
more productive and then they tell me about all the
distractions, errands, interruptions and demands on their
time. They say they "can't" focus because of phone calls or
emails, because of running errands or the pressures of work.
Sound familiar?
Of course it does! We lead busy lives. We live in a world
of interruptions!
And so most of the time my answer to the people who ask
about becoming more productive is that, "I see no hope."
That is often a shock to them. It gets their attention and
we can begin having a discussion about what it DOES take to
focus our time and get stuff done.
Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. All cures begin with an accurate diagnosis, or as
Albert Einstein observed, few problems can be solved by the
kind of thinking that created them in the first place.
Too often our attempts at "time management" or "better
scheduling" remind me of "re-arranging deck chairs on the
Titanic." If life is too busy, start by asking who made it
that way - and consider a long look in the mirror.
2. Accept that most of our "have-to's" are actually
optional. Yes, it is nice to have lots of friends and lots
of activities, but it comes at a price. Very few things in
life are truly "necessary."
What are your most important priorities? List them, and if
your list has more than 4-5 items on it, ask yourself if
that really makes sense. Most of us can't handle a dozen
"priorities" and some things really are more important than
others. Less important things may have to go.
3. At all costs, slow down. Remember the old saying that
"when you find yourself in a hole, the least you can do is
stop digging!" Abraham Lincoln is supposed to have said
that, "If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend
the first 7 hours sharpening my axe," and that's a great
metaphor for PLANNING!
High achievers make their goals into a lifestyle. They
create a "way of life" that is built around their most
important values, their highest priorities. They live the
life they truly want, starting TODAY. They don't promise
that "someday" they'll slow down or write a book or take a
vacation. They pause and plan and create a life that
reflects their greatest desires and they do it TODAY.
focus. Most of us are capable of extraordinary things when
we focus our time, effort, talent and skills to achieve a
desired goal.
One of my favorite examples is the remarkable ability
teenagers have to spend time on the phone with their
friends. No matter how hard parents try to get them to do
their homework first, no matter how many other things
"distract" them, kids have a super-natural ability to find
a phone and connect with their friends. They know what they
want and they find a way - despite all the "obstacles" laid
down by parents and circumstances - to get it done.
If only we adults had that ability!
As a coach, I am frequently asked "how can I get more
done?" Clients and friends ask about the "secret" to being
more productive and then they tell me about all the
distractions, errands, interruptions and demands on their
time. They say they "can't" focus because of phone calls or
emails, because of running errands or the pressures of work.
Sound familiar?
Of course it does! We lead busy lives. We live in a world
of interruptions!
And so most of the time my answer to the people who ask
about becoming more productive is that, "I see no hope."
That is often a shock to them. It gets their attention and
we can begin having a discussion about what it DOES take to
focus our time and get stuff done.
Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. All cures begin with an accurate diagnosis, or as
Albert Einstein observed, few problems can be solved by the
kind of thinking that created them in the first place.
Too often our attempts at "time management" or "better
scheduling" remind me of "re-arranging deck chairs on the
Titanic." If life is too busy, start by asking who made it
that way - and consider a long look in the mirror.
2. Accept that most of our "have-to's" are actually
optional. Yes, it is nice to have lots of friends and lots
of activities, but it comes at a price. Very few things in
life are truly "necessary."
What are your most important priorities? List them, and if
your list has more than 4-5 items on it, ask yourself if
that really makes sense. Most of us can't handle a dozen
"priorities" and some things really are more important than
others. Less important things may have to go.
3. At all costs, slow down. Remember the old saying that
"when you find yourself in a hole, the least you can do is
stop digging!" Abraham Lincoln is supposed to have said
that, "If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend
the first 7 hours sharpening my axe," and that's a great
metaphor for PLANNING!
High achievers make their goals into a lifestyle. They
create a "way of life" that is built around their most
important values, their highest priorities. They live the
life they truly want, starting TODAY. They don't promise
that "someday" they'll slow down or write a book or take a
vacation. They pause and plan and create a life that
reflects their greatest desires and they do it TODAY.
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