The power of focus

We all know we need to keep focused.

How can it be so difficult?

There are 2 main problems with focus: one is that it’s so easy to get distracted and the other is staying focused on the right thing (hint: they may be related).

There is only one way we’ll ever stay focused and that’s when we find something we really want to get done, when we find ourselves a big and beautiful goal we want to achieve.

When there’s something you really want to do, be or have, nothing can stop you achieving that goal. You will move the mountains, put in the hours, find a way.

Otherwise, it’s just so easy to come up with reasons why something can’t be done, or allow social media, the “News” or some other external influence to distract us from getting on with the job at hand.

The thing is that most people don’t have goals – only about 3% apparently!

Did you know that whatever you focus on you get more of? This is a biological fact and a law of nature. It’s caused by your Reticular Activating System (your “RAS”).

Your RAS can be found in the area where your brain stem meets your spinal column. It serves various purposes, one of which is to filter out information that your RAS doesn’t think you’re interested in.

If we had to process every single bit of information that comes flying at us every minute of every day our brain just wouldn’t be able to cope.

So a job of our RAS is to bring us information similar to the stuff we're focusing on. It doesn’t judge the information – it doesn’t think, “Hmm, I think Ros could do with checking this out.” It just notes what we’re focusing on and makes the decision that we just want more of that, whether it’s good for us or not, positive or negative, if that’s what we’re currently focusing on, it will bring us more.

You’ll know that this is true when I share a couple of simple examples.

A friend you haven’t seen for yonks just pops into your mind. You spend a few moments wondering how they are or focusing on a memory of a time you shared together. Next thing: you get a text message from them, or their Facebook post pops up or you bump into them in the street.

I like to drive a car that’s a bit different from the norm. Doesn’t have to be flash, just a bit different. When my car was written off, I searched high and low for a replacement and finally found one – different colour but similar spec. As I drove home from viewing it, I passed 4 others, identical, even though it was apparently a rare car.

How did that happen?

Because I was thinking about that car and what you focus on you get more of.

It’s very powerful.

The best thing is we get to choose – either to focus on the mundane or to set ourselves a big and beautiful goal and stay focused on that.

Get rid of the distractions, stop giving your attention to those external influences that seek to fill your mind with negativity you can do nothing about, and stay focused on what you truly want.

What you focus on you get more of. Try it and see!

But first things first, sort out your goal and get it written down!

You can get in touch with me at [email protected] or DM me here.