Focus on What Matters

Life is what we focus on.

This is as true today as it has ever been. Focus leads to thoughts, and our thought controls our actions. The sum of our actions become our destiny.

That is why focus is the most important thing.

When you focus on what matters, you make your life matter.

Some things give you a higher return on your invested focus, than others.

Here is what it matters to focus on.

Focus on the Planning

“In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Think beforehand. Think about tomorrow. Think many days ahead.

Like the great chess player, who foresees the entire game before it unfolds, you must always be planning. Consider the scenarios. Plan for every possible outcome.

This is what Bill Walsh calls scripting:

“You must envision the future deeply and in detail — creatively — so that the unforeseeable becomes foreseeable. Then you write your script for the foreseeable.”

From: The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

Focus on the Obstacle

The greatest foresight is preparing for the challenge ahead of time. Be prepared for the obstacle that stands in your way. Only in this way can you conquer it.

Practice.

Plan.

Conquer.

When you plan for ahead for your challenges there are no mishaps — no narrow escapes.

Do not put off planning until you are knee-deep in dirt. You cannot escape then. Mature reflection can get over the most formidable difficulty. The pillow is a silent muse, and it is better to think on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.

Some people act first and think later — meaning, they think less of consequences than of excuses.

Others think neither before nor after.

Don’t let this be you.

Life must be one continuous course of thought on how to stay on the right path.

Think ahead and ensure that you stay on your true line in life.

Focus

Prize intensity over extent. You don’t need to do as much as possible. Being busy is not the same as being productive. Focus on doing a few things well, rather than doing as much as possible.

Excellence resides in quality not in quantity.

The thickness of the the book is not what makes it good. In fact, the opposite is often true. Extent alone never rises above mediocrity. It is the misfortune of the distracted mind that in attempting to be at home everywhere, it is at home nowhere.

Intensity gives eminence, and lets you rise to any occasion.

Focus On Your Strengths

Think on your strongest point — your preeminent gift.

Narrow it down.

Hone it.

Everyone can excel when they know their strongest point. Notice where you naturally excel and practice that. Find an outlet.

Become the magnifying glass under which the sun burns hot.

Most do violence to their natural aptitude, and never become great at anything. Time disillusions us too late of what first flattered the passions.

Don’t let Father Time erode your genius.

Focus on Action

Act, and Act Boldly.

Know your part.

In life, there is no better companion than a bold heart. Worries die away, when you assert yourself.

You must never surrender to misfortune- that would be intolerable.

Many make matters worse.

They double the weight on their shoulders, by not knowing how to bear it. The ones that know themselves however, know how to strengthen their weakness. Be strong. Get stronger. Know how to deal with set-backs. Then deal with them when they happen.

Focus on Learning

Without learning, either on your own or from someone else, true life is impossible.

But many do not know what they are lacking. If you are unaware, how can you cure what ails you? Only when you realize you must learn can you improve.

Many would be wiser if they didn’t think themselves wise.

To seek advice does not dampen the shine of your star. On the contrary. To ask advice proves you well advised.

Take counsel with reason if you do not wish to court defeat.

Focus on What Matters.

You can place your focus where-ever you want. You are free to choose your focus. So focus on what matters. Plan ahead. Find your strengths. Take action. Be bold.