Photo courtesy of ssh The Magical Power of Focus
“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” - Qui-Gon to Anakin, Star Wars Episode I
The quote above, as cheesy as George Lucas’ writing often is, contains a nugget of Jedi wisdom that I’ve repeatedly found to be true.
Your focus determines your reality.
It’s something we don’t think about much of the time, but give it some consideration now:
- If you wake up in the morning and think about the miserable things you need to do later in the day, you’ll have a miserable day. If you wake up and focus instead on what a wonderful gift your life is, you’ll have a great day.
- If we let our attention jump from one thing to another, we will have a busy, fractured and probably unproductive day. If we focus entirely on one job, we may lose ourselves in that job, and it will not only be the most productive thing we do all day, but it’ll be very enjoyable.
- If we focus on being tired and wanting to veg out in front of the TV, we will get a lot of television watching done. If, however, we focus on being healthy and fit, we will become healthy and fit through exercise and good eating.
This may seem simplistic, but it’s completely true. This is the magical power of focus.
Let’s look at some of the ways you can use focus to improve different aspects of your life.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” - Buddha
Focus on a Goal
In my experience, focus is the most important determination of whether you’ll achieve a goal or stick to creating a new habit. Not self-discipline, not rewards, not sheer willpower, not even motivation (also an important ingredient, however). If you can maintain your focus on a goal or habit, you will more often than not achieve that goal or create that habit.
If you can’t maintain your focus, you won’t achieve the goal, unless it’s such an easy goal that it would have happened anyway. It’s that simple.
Why does focus matter so much? Let’s say you decide you want to declutter your house — that’s your goal for this month. So the first day, you’re completely focused on this goal, and you get boxes and trash bags and fill them up with junk. The second day, you’re still focused, and you fill up a bunch more boxes and you’ve cleared most of two rooms with progress on another. This goes on for a few more days, with your focus being on this goal, and lots of progress made.
However, let’s say that a week into your decluttering, you decide you want to become a runner. You are now focused on running, and not only do you go out to jog for a few days, you buy running clothes and a Nike-equipped iPod and read running blogs and magazines. However, you’ve lost your focus on decluttering, and soon you aren’t doing much of it, because your focus is on running. In fact, you’ve added more clutter because you’ve bought all the running equipment and magazines and books.
Meanwhile, I have maintained my focus on decluttering the entire month, and by the end of the month, I have a nice, simplified house. I did it through focus.
This is why I am constantly advocating focusing on only one goal at a time. Having multiple goals spreads out your focus, and makes it less likely that you’ll complete any of the goals. It’s possible, but with a diffused focus, it’s much more difficult.
Even with only one goal, maintaining focus can be difficult. You need to find ways to keep your focus on that goal. Some good examples that work for me:
- Read about your goal as much as possible, on websites and blogs and in books and magazines.
- Post up reminders on your wall, refrigerator, and computer desktop.
- Send yourself reminders using an online calendar or reminder service.
- Tell as many people as possible about it, and post your progress on your blog.
- Have a time each day to work on the goal, with a reminder in your schedule each day.
Maintain your focus on your goal, and you’ve won half the battle in achieving it.
Focus on Now
I’ve written about this before, but focusing on the present can do a lot for you. It helps reduce stress, it helps you enjoy life to the fullest, and it can increase your effectiveness.
Focusing on now, rather than the past (”I can’t believe she said that to me!”) or the future (”what am I going to say in the darn meeting today?”) isn’t easy, and takes a lot of practice. I won’t go into this much here, but read more:
- A Simple Guide to Being Present for the Overworked and Overwhelmed
- 5 Inspirations for Being in the Moment
- Practical Tips to Practice Being Present
Focus on the Task at Hand
Have you ever completely lost yourself in a task, so that the world around you disappears? You lose track of time and are completely caught up in what you’re doing. That’s the popular concept of Flow, and it’s an important ingredient to finding happiness.
Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge.
How do you get into flow? Well, it takes a bit of practice, but the first step is to find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you.
Next, you need to clear away distractions and focus completely on the task you set before yourself. This is the part that takes a lot of practice. I’ll write more about this later.
Focus on the Positive
One of the key skills I’ve learned is how to be aware of my negative thoughts, and to replace them with positive thoughts. I learned this through quitting smoking and running — there are many times when you feel like giving up, and if you don’t catch these negative thoughts in time, they’ll fester and grow until you actually do give up.
Instead, learn to focus on the positive. Think about how great you feel. Think about how other people have done this, and so can you. Think about how good it will feel when you accomplish what you’re trying to do.
Also learn to see the positive in just about any situation. This results in happiness, in my experience, as you don’t focus on the bad parts of your life, but on the good things. Be thankful for what you’ve been given. More here.
What are your thoughts on focus? Share in the comments.
“We are what we think; as we desire so do we become! By our thoughts, desires, and habits, we either ascend to the full divine dignity of our nature, or we descend to suffer and learn.” - J. Todd Ferrier
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- Posted on 12 March 2008 in Goals, Motivation |
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Comments (89)
Mike OD - IF Life Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:16 pm
So true….we must be sharing in the same cosmic energy because I posted about pretty much the same thing this morning on my blog as well.
As someone once wiser than me said, “You become what you think about”. So focus on success….and that’s what you get! Unfortunately most people are so focused on fear of failure (in the future) or regret of the past….acting in the now is the only way to live.
Jeff - Science Says Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:21 pm
That’s a very Zen point - “Your focus determines your reality.” - and it’s so true. What you think about or what you expect determines so much about how you’ll feel and where you’ll go.
I always think of something that I learned in kayaking, which is that the most important thing for navigation is keeping your eyes focused on the direction that you want to go - your body positions itself and steer the kayak in that direction in smaller ways than we can even notice!
Daryle of Art Palaver Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:26 pm
Or if you want to kick old school Star Wars…
“Stay on target, stay on target.”
Mike OD - IF Life Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:36 pm
Daryle, I believe it was also the master Yoda who said “Do or Do not, there is no try”. That little green buddha puppet really knew his stuff.
Doug Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:42 pm
You quite often talk about focusing on the positive, controlling negative thoughts, looking on the bright side of things, [insert saying here]. I’m no psycho-analyst but I would imagine adhering to this would have some adverse side-affects.
On a personal leveling, I could imagine this would desensitize or limit yourself to a certain grandeur of good/bad. By constantly analyzing bad situations as better than they really are, you would begin to have a more limited scope of how bad things can get, and as such have a much smaller gap between the best and worst possible scenarios.
On a more global level, limiting yourself to positive thinking could lead to inactivity against social injustice. When you limit yourself to only focusing on the positive you create a barrier that would prevent you from addressing very negative situations; starvation/disease/abuse of power etc.
Finally, some situations do not have any readily viewable positive available. While I won’t claim to understand the grand scheme of everything, most people will have a hard time pointing out the good that comes from situations like murder, genocide, terminal illness and the like.
Your reader base may not be dealing with these things on a daily basis so your suggestions could very well lead to a better lifestyle for them, and are very applicable for superficial issues but I think there must be a better way to prepare for living in what is admittedly a broken world.
I would love to hear your views on this.
Thomas Herold Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:44 pm
Quantum physics now brings this even closer to the point that where you put your attention on, you simply start to create your reality.
Focusing is nothing else than putting your attention at one specific location. The more attention you put on something the bigger it becomes.
Cheers
Thomas Herold
CEO Dream Manifesto
http://www.dreammanifesto.com
Jeff P Says:
March 12th, 2008, 23:44 pm
Focus can be difficult for some because it can be hard to imagine the finished product. So, whether it is a project at work or an event you’ll be participating in, focus can be obtained when you VISUALIZE the end result. Once you see in your mind what your project needs to look like or act like or smell like, etc. - then focus can be at hand.
I love these focus posts, Leo. (and the allusions to Star Wars don’t hurt either!)
Leo Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:02 am
@Doug: You bring up some very interesting points, and I’m glad because it allows me to clarify a bit:
You wrote: “By constantly analyzing bad situations as better than they really are …”
I don’t advocate seeing bad situations as better than they really are. I just question whether they’re bad situations or not. Every situation can be seen as good or bad. I think that a frank appraisal of every situation is useful … you should see as many aspects as possible … the bad with the good … but in the end, whether you focus on the bad aspects or the good is up to you. I choose to focus on the good (while being aware of the bad) while others may focus on the bad.
You also wrote: “On a more global level, limiting yourself to positive thinking could lead to inactivity against social injustice.”
This gives me a great opportunity to clarify myself. I don’t think you should ignore bad things that happen … but I do think you should attack them with a positive mindset.
So instead of ignoring the problem of global poverty and injustice … you should acknowledge it and tackle it head on. While some might acknowledge it but say that it’s a hopeless situation (negative thinking) … I would say that it’s possible to do something about it, and that if enough people are educated, major change can be done (positive thinking).
Finally, you wrote: “… some situations do not have any readily viewable positive available. While I won’t claim to understand the grand scheme of everything, most people will have a hard time pointing out the good that comes from situations like murder, genocide, terminal illness and the like.”
I wouldn’t pretend to know what it’s like to go through any of those extreme situations you mentioned … and I agree, that not every situation has a silver lining. Most, however, do. In most everyday situations, there are multiple positive and multiple negative aspects … these are the situations I’m talking about.
However … even terminal illnesses and other catastrophes can be taken with a positive mindset. Death is an inevitable part of life … but we, the living, must deal with it in some way. We can deal with it in a negative way, or in a positive way … it our choice.
Here’s a good example from someone who would know better than me:
http://zenhabits.net/2007/04/inspiration-file-positive-thinking-when-faced-with-life-crisis/
Doug, I want to thank you for your insightful points … it allowed me to expand and clarify, and that’s a good thing. I will also say that positive thinking will not work in every situation … however, it’s useful in most situations I’ve faced.
yonie Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:05 am
todas estas cosas son increibles¡¡. tu estado de animo no depende de como afrontes las cosas. El mundo no va a cambiar por que lo imagines de color de rosa. Hace falta cambiar el mundo realmente, y no especulativamente.la ideologia de esta pagina web es realmente conservadora.Toda esta ideologia favorece a los que tienes de todo, los ricos, los capitalistas y favorece la pasividad de los pobres los oprimidos que los que se les insta a cambiar su mentalidad, sus habitos para ser felices. No mporta si vives en una vivienda pobre, cambia tu mentalidad y seras feliz. Que filosofia esclavista¡¡¡
Chris Austria Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:23 am
Focusing on the positve definitely has more benefits than dwelling on the negative. Focusing on the postive allows people to keep going or keep fighting for a better tomorrow. I am sure that if Martin Luther King wasn’t a positive thinker, he would never have produced his “I Have A Dream” speech where he eloquently said,
“I have a dream that one day, my four little children will be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.”
Stacey Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:32 am
This reminds me of the Secret and the Law of Attraction, which in simple terms states “what you focus on expands.” I see this being true as I focus on getting my blog up and running. The more I focus on my passion, the more doors open, the more inspired I am to write, and the more people visit my site. It is a daily challenge to balance my focus towards my goals and the rest of my life responsibilities.
Korey Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:34 am
Nice post.
It is in line with what I have found to be true in life. By directing your awareness you can change your experience of reality.
Something that I have found works to direct your focus is what I call Intentional Questions. If you want to focus on what’s great about a situation ask, “What’s great about this situation?” If you want to focus on why you feel so confident (even if you don’t) you ask, “Why do I feel so confident?” If that’s too strong ask, “Why could I feel confident, right now?”
I’ve found questions with an intentional angle work better than affirmations because the brain loves answering questions even if it has to make something up.
That’s my two cents. Keep up the good work.
banji - LessonInLife.com Says:
March 13th, 2008, 0:50 am
There’s a physics law if I’m not mistaken that - if there is a moving object, and we are to determine the speed and it’s location at any given time. The more accurate we measure the speed, the less accurate it will be for us to determine its location and vice versa.
Reading your post remind me of this somehow. I guess, focus will only work when we do it on one thing at a time :)
It’s physics
Anmari Says:
March 13th, 2008, 1:01 am
Our thoughts are in relation to everything around us. We attract what we think.
Great post! :)
Craig Harper - Motivational Speaker Says:
March 13th, 2008, 1:12 am
You make some great points Leo. One of the turning points in my life was when I recognised the control I had over my negative emotions. Life is largely about the decisons we make and the attitude we ‘choose’ to have.
Like you, I choose to have a great day every day. Negative stuff happens every day that we need to deal with, so we deal with it and move on.
Great Post Leo!
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:
March 13th, 2008, 1:42 am
I love the idea of focusing on things that really matter. It’s about knowing what we absolutely have to do and what can either be postponed, delegated, or done away with altogether. It’s about knowing what to take seriously and what to let slide. It’s about taking care of the big things so the little ones take care of themselves and the really little ones don’t bother us at all.
Delphine Says:
March 13th, 2008, 3:35 am
Thank you for this wonderful post! Coincidentally, Gretchen over at The Happiness Project also has some great tips today about mindfulness, which I found complemented your excellent advice very well. :)
http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2008/03/this-wednesda-1.html
Rickious Says:
March 13th, 2008, 4:43 am
That is one of the quotes from Star Wars that stuck with me until now. I try and apply it in real life as much as I can.
As I get older, I appreciate it more. You realize that you really cannot do anything.
“You have to say NO, so that your YES will be greater.”
Rickious Says:
March 13th, 2008, 4:45 am
Ooops! I meant “As I get older, I appreciate it more. You realize the you really cannot do EVERYTHING.”
Matt Says:
March 13th, 2008, 7:55 am
Great post. In my personal and professional life I like to pair “focus” with “execution”. I believe that if you are focused and never execute, nothing gets done. If you execute but are not focused, it is unlikely that you will hit your target (or even know what the target is to begin with).
Its one thing to set a very focused goal. Its another thing to actually execute upon it.
Brett Legree Says:
March 13th, 2008, 8:33 am
Leo,
A great post, and as I read through the comments, I notice how many people added references to Star Wars movies.
This just goes to show that you can learn from any source - which is great.
Never discount *anything* as a source of inspiration. You might be surprised at what gives you pause to think.
The Financial Philosopher Says:
March 13th, 2008, 8:34 am
“Focus” in the sense of forming good habits, especially mindful attention to the present moment, is wise. I must, however, disagree with “focus” in the sense of concentrating intently on one thing without balancing attention to others…
“In the cultivation of the mind, our emphasis should be not on concentration, but on attention. Concentration is a process of forcing the mind to narrow down to a point, whereas attention is without frontiers.” Jiddu Krishnamurti
Josh Says:
March 13th, 2008, 8:47 am
Thanks Leo.
Your discussion of focus solidified the real meaning of it for me. I’ve found that for my goals focus is the #1 ingredient and then motivations a close number 2. I have a list of 6 2008 goals that I read as soon as I get to work each day and try to think of one thing I can do to further each of those daily. If I do that 365 days a year how could I possibly fail?!
Thanks again. Best. Blog. Ever.
-Josh
april Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:06 am
almost like the laws of attraction with this focusing bit!
if you do nothing but point out the bad in the day that we all get it just seems to come out more and more! like that saying when it rains it pours.. but only if you let it!!!!
Thanks for this article it’s a nice one!
some times these reminders are all that is needed!
Thanks Leo!
skyz Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:10 am
i had a professor who once said to me ‘you don’t focus - if you focused you’d be dangerous’ so i started thinking about how being dangerous would affect my daily life - after a number of years of thinking about how being dangerous would play out i decided: ‘go for it’ !
Corey - Simple Marriage Project Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:18 am
How true, how true. Our perception is our reality. I love the encouragement to focus on the positive. It will drastically influence the outcome of everything.
Klaus Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:19 am
Hi Leo,
you focussed right on point :-)
However, I think that having just one goal at a time does not really work in reality, as everybody has different roles or contexts which are relevant for him/her, e.g. Private Life, Business, or even more detailed, a goal for “Project A”, a goal for “Project B” etc.
So, I believe having several goals does work and is not distracting you, as long as you know which context you are in. Of course, going after two goals at one time usually won’t work (or, what about running while cleaning the house?)
Writing down your goals is also usefull, as this allows you to concentrate on one goal at a time while feeling comfortable not to forget the others…
Albert (http://thoughtsintime.co.za/) Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:30 am
Too true.
The problem is that most of us base our moods & ideas on the ‘reality’ that we think we are perceiving.
It took me almost 40 years to realise this and to start taking responsibility for my own reality, moods and problems.
That was also where I realised that I myself was the only one who was preventing me from being the person that I want to be.
Marci Says:
March 13th, 2008, 9:45 am
Thank you, Leo. This was the perfect post to start my day. I wanted to drop you a line to tell you that I appreciate the work you do here!
Double Danger Says:
March 13th, 2008, 10:05 am
To quote Jay-Z on this one…
“I’m focused maaaan.”
Nice article again. No need to even say it anymore, but I will anyhow. Keep it coming.
Quarterpastnine Says:
March 13th, 2008, 10:19 am
Funny I wrote about Thought being the fourth dimension on Tuesday. Its posted on my site have a look. its quite interesting to realise that the tension of the opposites between abstraction and the tendency towards matter brings reality into being
--Deb Says:
March 13th, 2008, 10:43 am
I love this post–mostly because this seems to be my weak point, lately. I used to be able to focus wholly on what I was doing, but I’ve lost that ability. Or, at least, misplaced it. It’s too easy to think that “multi-tasking” is a good and valuable thing–and there are times that it is–but it’s even more important to be able to stop it and focus. Now, if I could only remember how…. (grin)
Scott Says:
March 13th, 2008, 11:04 am
Hey Leo,
Focus is definitely powerful. I have a book recommendation if you’re interested:
ITrush Says:
March 13th, 2008, 11:23 am
Focus, focus, and focus. Thanks for reminding us.
Stumbled!
nhick
http://www.itrush.com
brandon! Says:
March 13th, 2008, 11:57 am
great post leo! thank you for it.
about the whole positive thinking aspect tho, my preference tends to fall more towards the slightly stoic/tranquil attitude of the zen master who kept saying “well see…”
be happy simply because that’s the best way to be, not because it is a byproduct of your ‘positive thinking.’ it brings the focus back to your own mental state and the impertinence of all situations and takes the focus off whether the situation is good or bad or your outlook for the situation.
positive thinking, unless it is very narrowly focused, will often lead to disappointment. the goal should be detachment from the result of a situation. you should be happy whether a situation works out good or bad because you are a happy person, not because the situation work out in your favor or because you’ve reexamined a bad situation for a silver lining.
just some thoughts from a neophyte…
Linus Says:
March 13th, 2008, 11:59 am
Nice post there.
Every time when i tell myself to focus, i would always used deep breathing. relaxing your body always allows you to focus all your concentration on the task.
that’s for me thro. =)
Juanita Says:
March 13th, 2008, 12:14 pm
“So you act, so you feel, so you are…”
- India.Aria from “There’s Hope”
This is my first time posting, and my second day reading. I just found you, and thank goodness!
Focus is so important. How we live is completely determined by how greet and approach living through each and every day. Just as the entry states, if your focus is negative, you’ll be negative, and vice versa. Learning to do this isn’t easy, but boy the benefits of something so simple are wonderful.
Art Gonzalez Says:
March 13th, 2008, 12:15 pm
I also like the quote from Obi Wan to Anakin “Be Mindful of Your Thoughts” which not only reinforces the idea of being focused but that what you continually think about becomes your reality.
Art Gonzalez
Check my Squidoo Lens at: Quantum Knights
adam Says:
March 13th, 2008, 12:20 pm
I like the article, although sometimes I feel like the outward expression of emotion is overlooked, and underestimated. Many times the causes of the distraction are issues in other areas of ones life also - at least I find that for myself.
If tangents / distractions / issues - are followed mindfully also - they will actually resolve the distraction, bringing my natural state to one of more focus.
When I have gotten distracted - felt my feelings - maybe the fear of failure, and the anger of my frustration - I can then go deeper. Then when I focus on the fear - I will see the connections I have to other fearful events - and by expressing that fear - and feeling the anger at how powerless I’ve been over those events - the fear itself has been resolved. I won’t feel it and be distracted by it again - and now it requires much less energy for me to be focused.
I was brought up zen, and sometimes the feeling I get of “Just Do It” from other zen teachers is a source of shame for me, and what turns stumbling patches in to real blocks . Obviously I must be fundamentally flawed if I can’t “Just Do It” like everyone says right?
michael Says:
March 13th, 2008, 13:03 pm
For some reason this makes me think of Heisenberg…
I can focus on a goal or idea, and know its position, but not its momentum (or perhaps my own momentum toward it). Or I can perceive the goal’s momentum (and my own), but not know the position of that goal (or myself)…
Jorge R Says:
March 13th, 2008, 13:41 pm
I only want to share a definition of “FOCUS” that I read in a Robert Kiyosaki’s book.
Follow
One
Course
Until
Successful
Regards.
Manly Dale Says:
March 13th, 2008, 13:54 pm
An excellent article about focus. I’m sure anyone that has gotten up one day and found that they were more successful in a particular field when it had all their honest focus will agree with your principles here.
I think the only thing to be wary of is being too focused on one singular thing at the cost of losing track of other things that might be important.
Aloha from Hawaii,
Manly Dale
oakling Says:
March 13th, 2008, 16:06 pm
Like my sponsor in Debtors Anonymous likes to tell me - if we focus on the problem, the problem will grow. If we focus on the solution….
Sally Rhodes Says:
March 13th, 2008, 18:19 pm
This really opened my mind to living in the present. Thank you so much! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I must say it is one of my favorite- first in my list of bookmarks. Please keep writing! I’m always eager to see what your next post will be about.
rainer Says:
March 13th, 2008, 19:01 pm
Hello,
while I think, there is wisdom in the statement we are what we think, all that is left behind when we learn to stop our thoughts during meditation. We can exist without thoughts but never without feelings.
So the right thoughts and the right feeling must always walk together.
Seeker Says:
March 13th, 2008, 19:16 pm
Great post. I am starting my own business and your advice is right on target with helping me acheive that. I once heard someone say Dream big, start small and go for an instant win. I think you could apply that to this.
I also started focusing more on the positive characteristics of my hubby. I found I was giving more wieght fto the negative. After I made this change, things started to get better and better for us. Attitude is everything! Thanks for the encouragement. I can do it! I can have a great business and a great marriage too! :O)
Rob Says:
March 13th, 2008, 19:29 pm
Yoda again: “Never his mind on where he is! What he is doing!” (poking the hapless Luke with his little stick.)
For some reason, dredging up this scene really reminds me to focus. (”Poke! Poke!” “Ow!”)
Jonathan Mead Says:
March 13th, 2008, 20:15 pm
The power of focus is incredible, as long as you’re using it on what you want, instead of what you don’t want. =)
Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters Says:
March 13th, 2008, 22:17 pm
Focus is a weakness that many Gen X and Y have because of the constant stimulation that we grew up with. The TV, radio, and internet is almost always on. This article brings light to the fact that we need to turn off those distractions and build our relationship with your focus. I suggest meditation or Yoga. They are a great start to getting your focus on track.
Dina Vetori Says:
March 13th, 2008, 22:27 pm
Having your focus on just one thing is very easy.
Having your focus on many things is complex, but not impossible.
A valued scorecard or a written hierarchy of values and goals helps the most successful people to master their heavy duties.
Heather Says:
March 13th, 2008, 23:32 pm
Thanks again for fabulous content and inspiration.
And I appreciate the J. Todd Ferrier quote…I thought I was the only person alive who read his stuff!
Peace.
Bill Bull Says:
March 14th, 2008, 0:56 am
“If you wake up and focus instead on what a wonderful gift your life is…”
What a crock.
Brett Legree Says:
March 14th, 2008, 1:09 am
@ Bill Bull,
Your life *is* a gift, simply because you have the choice to be able to disagree with Leo’s message, rather than wondering where your next meal will come from, or if you will be dragged from your house in the middle of the night.
Sorry, I had to say it.
Peter T Says:
March 14th, 2008, 1:39 am
Great piece! Another important point to consider is the need to have a vision. Once you have a vision and a list of goals to help you realize your vision, you must rank and prioritize your goals. We sometimes fluctuate from task to task because we’re constantly reassessing their importance. Having the goals ranked can help one focus on a single task at a time.
jin Says:
March 14th, 2008, 2:59 am
haha, i was struck by that line too. but i don’t like the word. because it can mean “concentration” and you use it that way in your blog. what i think is more useful is to separate it from concentration. better word is ATTENTION.
also think how it seems to be related to “seek and you will find”…. i think most people take that as a promise from God. but just looking at the words, it can be a mere DESCRIPTION of how the human mind works.
if you’re looking for things that are wrong with that guy, you WILL find it.
interesting way in which this works is if you’ve ever had the experience of buying a new car and all of a sudden, everywhere you look, you see this car! you’ve never noticed so many on the street before. you must be a trendsetter! but it’s just your attention is now attuned to it.
also a pretty good explanation for why so many people of so many different religions seem to have such strong subjective convictions on the validity and efficacy of their faith. they see what they are looking for.
i used to think that optimists were chumps and that the pessimism was a truer “take” on the world. i saw that clear as day. everyone else was so blind.
but the insidious thing is, you see what you’re looking for. i had no more of a grasp on reality than anyone else.
and that’s the thing… no one has a good grasp on objective reality. and it would be almost impossible to determine what this was anyway.
it’s all attention.
so might as well be an optimist.
Quarterpastnine Says:
March 14th, 2008, 3:03 am
Talk Doesn’t Cook Rice. (lifted from ZTD)
I love the mental gymnastics here but sometimes I get caught in the fourth dimension and dont transalte it back to the First Three,
Commonsensekid Says:
March 14th, 2008, 4:05 am
Qualified smooth running reality goes at the speed of educated freewill choices and quality of focus.
Quarterpastnine Says:
March 14th, 2008, 4:09 am
Lovely I have added to my site quarterpastnine.com, if you have problem with this let me know
Asteroth's Apprentice Says:
March 14th, 2008, 4:35 am
Nice article and well put. Do you live like that? What you are describing is called Magic by those of us in the occult community and has been known and understood for centuries along with a lot of what is called today new scientific discoveries!
I write about all of this at Asteroth’s Domain - see http://www.asterothsdomain.com/drupal/?q=free for example…
Ed Says:
March 14th, 2008, 6:40 am
Again this has nothing to do with Zen at all.
There is no self. This is the message of all buddhas. There is no goal, nothing to fulfill, nothing to achieve… because there is no-one to achieve it. There is no ego, no being, no person, no entity. There is only emptiness. And even emptiness is void. Because emptiness is only a name, a concept, an idea. This emptiness/voidness is what you are. It is the Self. Zen is the studie of the Self.
Joe Clark Says:
March 14th, 2008, 6:47 am
Applying some of these simple focus practices has helped my career tremedously
V.S. Says:
March 14th, 2008, 7:38 am
Nice article, if it were not one tiny little problem here telling me it is not going to work for all of us.
My view is, living the focused life will cetainly push up your career, make you a great runner, probably earn loads of money, but you will loose spontanity and humanness.
This is not the way some people function, it is rather that you start something, loose interest, start something new, find interest on the old issue, concentarte on it again. If I lived the way you are proposing, I would never go for a walk in the part of town I have never been before, walk into an antique store and buy a book. And this part of my life is for me much more worth than a perfect home. There is too much danger here of becoming a robot.
Only my opinion.
Bye
Harry Says:
March 14th, 2008, 10:04 am
This is perfect…. I was in a state to decide my future… and for god’s grace i found this… really a nice article… I’m hoping i’ll stay on focus and acheive my aim… thank you alot…
adam Says:
March 14th, 2008, 10:35 am
I still keep seeing people agreeing with replies of “yep, thats all I need, more focus”. “That will do great things for me”. And every one seems like it is really saying “If I could just do this FOCUS thing, then I’d be OKAY”. Should, Should… should…..
Isn’t this just causing more pain. Isn’t the real focus of finding happiness in our lives accepting ourselves as we are RIGHT NOW, and exactly the level of focus we are able to achieve? If we can’t focus - cool… accept that… and see what there is that is CAUSING the non focus. I have never understood thet “just focus” crowd - what does that mean?
ED; I seem to feel that the non-existance of my non-self is very related to this true self acceptance. Not sure how yet - but it feels right.
VS: I also agree, and it seems like the GTD guy has a system of keeping a real world multi-focused life - but in a very calm and flexible way. I do believe while doing a single task - singular focus to the point of meditation is really amazing - but focusing on just one goal at a time?
Mr Positioning (Stanley Bronstein) Says:
March 14th, 2008, 11:45 am
I always say, the ability to focus on the task at hand is the key.
The reality is simple. That which we focus upon (either consciously or subconsciously) is what we tend to bring into our lives.
If we focus on the positive, the universe will send us positives. If we focus on the negatives, the universe will send us negatives.
It really is that simple.
Take care
Mr Positioning (Stanley F. Bronstein, Atty, CPA, Author and Professional Speaker)
Pibulus Says:
March 14th, 2008, 12:04 pm
Im terrible, i flicked through five windows and took 40 minutes to read this article. I need a professional.
Janice C. Cartier Says:
March 14th, 2008, 12:38 pm
@Rob- “Poke, Poke, Ow” …love your comment.
It says it all.
Discipline is an artful, mindful life skill. When to focus, when to let go, these are all a matter of balance. As an artist, it is necessary in the studio to still all the distractions, leave all the white noise behind and enter the zone.
Learning how to do that for however much time, fifteen minutes, an hour, or several, to accomplish anything that is very important to you can be learned. The passion and commitment…well that is up to you.
More importantly, do you want a conscious intentional life that also allows for sponteneity, and exploration? Block time for your focus, take the actions, and give yourself the rewards.
It does require visualizing and centering yourself, a tap into your thoughts and feelings to clearly set your direction. Like mapping out a trip. Now are you going to go every where in the world at once, or first one place, then the next? Yeah, Focus. It is a destination that you plan and a discipline that can be learned with rewards that are plentiful.
All best, Jan
Note to self: Must re-watch Star Wars…but which one?
jin choung Says:
March 14th, 2008, 13:25 pm
episode 1… the one with liam neeson… who says it in passing.
Rob Says:
March 14th, 2008, 19:49 pm
Janice: “When to focus, when to let go, these are all a matter of balance. ”
I like to sketch, and when I do, I try to feel the balance of the thing I’m drawing — opposing forces, up and down, gravity/flight, in out. I never thought of the balance of my own actions while I’m doing this. Thanks very much.
(BTW: adding to the Zen Habits Star Wars Quotations index, the scene with Yoda and Luke was in Episode V.)
Commonsensekid Says:
March 15th, 2008, 2:31 am
Working thought Alchemy for Mortal Mankind
The ingredients for metamorphic thought substance action appearance.
Evolves from the effects of the caused patterns of truths adherence.
Transmuting fears and superstitions will give you full clearance.
Focusing on love and service of manifestation brilliance.
Working with creative indwelling spirit performance.
Executing living love truth, reversing ignorance.
All from good thought focus persistence.
Alchemy’s substance continuance.
Love must have dominance.
Spiritual pay is relevance.
Spend expectance.
Live prudence.
Abundance.
~~~Commonsensekid~~~
http://lifeonmiamibeachsucks.blogspot.com/ Says:
March 15th, 2008, 8:57 am
@commensensekid: i like your last post uber much - i am going to post it on my blog - hope you don’t mind ?
[url=http://lifeonmiamibeachsucks.blogspot.com/]aurora[/url] Says:
March 15th, 2008, 9:03 am
my focus is always the same - refinement - i had a ‘moment’ where i realized levity the only important direction is UP - lifting everything up means eliminating or letting fall all that is dross -
Janice C. Cartier Says:
March 15th, 2008, 13:38 pm
@jin choung- I will watch episode 1 , Liam Neeson is always worth the time, and I like your reference. Thank you.
@rob- I just watched The Empire Strikes Back after reading this post to refresh the memory. Notice how much Yoda had Luke balancing in his training sessions… He crawled from his high tech ship out of a primordial ooze to find the master…and there in nature, he is asked to balance, concentrate, believe, do.
Art is physics. Those same things you look for in a good sketch can be applied anywhere.
Your “Poke,Poke,Ow” has become my shorthand for when my concentration flags.It makes me laugh and remember at the same time. So thank you right back. JC
Miss Gisele from myBeautyMatch.com Says:
March 15th, 2008, 22:59 pm
Leo,
These are some of the best comments on one of your posts I’ve read yet!
I LOVE this discussion.
Gisele!
GCM Says:
March 15th, 2008, 23:15 pm
I agree Leo. However, the power of focus should be channeled very mindfully with respect to time. There are times, when you cannot let the focus remain with you through the day,through the week, through the year …. For instance, when your focus remains completely on decluttering for the whole month, you may have neglected your health, or some thing else. The power of focus is nothing but a form of energy, which should be ‘managed’ by oneself and mindfully. An example would be, I would focus on decluttering the house between 9AM and 10AM everyday, and in this time, I would stay fully focussed on this, and not let anything else interrupt me.
has20birds Says:
March 16th, 2008, 21:56 pm
“Wuji Hundun Qigong, is a 1,200-year-old health maintenance system from China handed down by 95 year-old Master Duan Zhi Liang of Beijing, China. Drawing on Taoism, Buddhism, the Wuji form conforms to the basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which in fact sprung from Qigong concepts that go back 5,000 years. Like all Qigong in this way, the enhanced movement of Qi (life-force, bioelectric vitality) is promoted throughout the body as well as the storing and strengthening of Qi for good health. TCM believes stagnant Qi leads to all pain and disease. Proven useful for healing many diseases, this simple style actually has it’s roots in ancient wushu swordplay and gong fu (Kung Fu) inner cultivation of Qi–as useful for the healer as it is for the warrior…and soon we understand how they are one in the same…
Wuji Hundun Qigong is a unique blend of inner (Nei Qi) and outer (Wei Qi) cultivating techniques. Master Duan comes from the practical “old school” of healing arts. He believes a practitioner must also be a teacher. A healer must be a warrior. An intellect must pursue the arts. Our prayer is to seek balance…and we seek balance by letting go of “form”…and seek the essence of all things.
The Mandarin Chinese word “hundun” can best be described as “chaos.” The intention of Wuji Hundun Qigong is to consciously introduce chaos into our experience. I once met Nobel Prize laureate Ilya Prigogine who explained his prize-winning theory. He said, “All evolving biological systems must reach their maxim state of perturbation (chaos) before they take the quantum step up to their next higher state of order.” He knew nothing of Qigong (consciously) but understood what Master Duan knew intuitively. All our destructive patterns are steeped in the locked and stagnant habits of our lives. Until we can “break” or change those patterns, we are forever trapped and our growth–and health–is limited. Introducing chaos, mixing things up a bit energetically, can promote our natural healing abilities to engage. Even momentary shifts from our patterned “safe zones” can provide us conscious, and unconscious perspective shifts.
Outwardly, Wuji Qigong is an exercise and stretching system, focusing on synchronizing the breath with slow movements and guided visualizations. Upon deeper study, the transformative nature of this health maintenance modality becomes apparent. Balancing the Taoist and Buddhist traditions of China, Wuji Hundun Qigong seeks to strengthen the body (the mandate of the Taoists) while enhancing spiritual life (the essence of the Buddhist
doctrines.) Ultimately, a merging of the two takes place, not intellectually, but through “wu xing” or deep, emotional understanding. Written and oral teaching can only seek to trigger and stimulate you, the true wu xing must come from within–as the truth derives from nature and is constantly accessible. Through cultivating your inner Qi and spirit, you become strong, not as an “individual” against the world but as an integral part of the world; a mirror reflecting light…Sincere practice with an intention to remain receptive is the key…as we come to realize the holistic nature of Wuji Qigong will effect the body, mind, and spirit.”
- What is Wuji Qigong? By Francesco Garri Garripoli and Daisy Lee-Garripoli.
Commonsensekid Says:
March 16th, 2008, 23:42 pm
@ has20birds
What you have posted is so true, and fit in with my reality in the here and now today.
Last Saturday 3/15/08 roughly 24 hr ago I got slammed in the butt and scrota (big ouch to the max) by my motorcycle seat at 45mph when the rear tire dropped into a big square edge hole jamming my spine as I was practicing for the Mauna Kea 200 mile world class off road race coming up May 25th here in Hawaii, this motorcycle race is jungle/root infested forest/lava rock gnarly stuff, you got to be in top shape just to finish and you must go faster than you can crash to win.
Needless to say I screamed in pain for the next 4 miles it took me to get out of the rain forest, then I had 21 more miles to go to get home. When I got home I had to slither off the bike and crawl hands and knees to unlock the gate, after damn near crying just to get my riding gear off, I looked at myself in the full length mirror and saw my body leaning off to the left by 10 degrees and right shoulder sagging 2 inches, I knew that it was bad but refused to admit to myself that I should go seek help, instead I relied on my power to heal, as I have so often done after getting many times injured Motocross and off road racing here in Hawaii for the past 20 years (it’s a tough sport)
So as I send this message I am already 95% healed (back is back in place from deep stretching (Wuji Qigong) a hot & cold compress but most importantly applying my mind power as I lay there in bed picturing myself (Qi) in top condition, race ready on the starting line and going all out for the win.
FYI; I just turned 67 years old the 12th of march and will be the oldest entrant in the Mauna Kea 200, you see; “Reality goes at the speed and quality of educated freewill choices”
Also I must add; “Fear is the master intellectual fraud”
~Commonsensekid~
Janice C. Cartier Says:
March 17th, 2008, 13:22 pm
@has20birds-love your mention of chaos and balance,and your ancient practice. I am smiling because i know the truth of what you say from my experience in the chaos of Katrina. One learns to let of the shore to get to the next place. My thanks.
Qrystal Says:
March 18th, 2008, 17:13 pm
As is often the case, I decided to allow myself to read one zen habits article before tackling my last task of the day:
”what am I going to say in the darn meeting tomorrow?”
It just figures that you’ve hit the nail on the head, again, and that I shouldn’t be worrying about tomorrow. Of COURSE I should be focusing on what I need to do today — especially because all that’s expected of me tomorrow is to report on what progress I’ve been making on my thesis.
And another thing! Why is it that when I go to my feed reader to read “just one” zen habits article, I’m truly inspired to actually read JUST ONE article?! I went to my RSS to procrastinate, not be productive!! Grrr…. ;)
Thanks so much for this and the many, many other helpful perspectives you share. You are truly inspirational, and by that I mean, yes, I’m actually going to get to work on my thesis now. :)
John Michael Says:
March 18th, 2008, 19:55 pm
For a variety of reasons, I often wake up in a rather foul mood, but that does not predict my day. An infinite number of things can happen along the way that can bring joy and make the day truly special. And the reverse is true as well.
I don’t adhere to this “you are what you think” BS. It’s too post-modern for me. It’s all mumbo-jumbo by people trying to sell books and tapes and meditation classes.
======================================
Commonsensekid Says:
March 19th, 2008, 0:33 am
When one laughs one lasts
The inversly proportional of Zen
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2 The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt or a leaky tire.
3. It’s always darkest before dawn , so if you’re going to steal your neighbor’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it.
4. Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.
5. Always remember that you’re unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don’t succeed…… skydiving is not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
12. Some days you’re the bug, some days you’re the windshield.
13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put back in your pocket.
15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
16. Duct tape is like ‘The Force’. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
17. There are two theories to arguing with a women - Neither one works.
18. Generally speaking, you aren’t learning much when your lips are moving.
19. Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
ultrajones Says:
March 19th, 2008, 7:25 am
Commonsensekid: I hope that #20 didn’t lead to the discovery of #19…
Ed: Are you a talking horse?
John Michael: Ok fine then. You are NOT what you think. Think about that. Ha ha
has20birds: Was that a comment? By the way “hat ein Vogel” “has a bird” means someone is crazy in German.
adam: “just focus” means slow down and do only what you are doing. Yes, in a way that does mean accepting yourself as you are already. The more you do, the more you do - good or bad that remains true. I take “one at a time” to mean one in the current time. I don’t think “focus on one goal at a time” should be interpreted as one goal per month.
The Financial Philosopher: semantics
Harry: good luck to you
V.S.: I sense that you are very young! :)
jin: true. Optimism is it’s own reason.
Bill Bull: Yes, some people’s lives just plain suck. They live in ditches and eat garbage and live short diseased lives. I seriously doubt that you are one of those people Bill Bull, but if you want the wrong side of the bed you can have it! Enjoy.
Dina Vetori: “most successful people” huh?” most successful at what?
Rob: ^.^ a wise scene.
Jorge R: nice quote!
michael: um… what?
ITrush: Your response is my response. Yes, “thanks for the reminder” pretty much sums it up. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the power of simplicity and focus.
ultrajones: when are you going to make your own comment and stop commenting about others!!
I liked the article. It seemed very … what’s the word… oh yeah… focused. Seriously I especially liked the end part about replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Powerful stuff in times of drama. Thanks for the read!!!
Julie Hewett Says:
March 21st, 2008, 11:08 am
This was an incredibly wonderful way to start my day … thanks to everyone who took the time to comment and share.
~liz Says:
March 22nd, 2008, 11:26 am
This might sound like a dumb question but how can I apply this to even getting started to exercising? I have gained a lot of weight over this past year because I quit smoking. I’ve gained 30 lbs on an already overweight body. (I quit smoking yay me) I hate exercise… I mean I literally have an aversion to it. That said… how can I get going and stay going? How can I stay focused on something when I don’t even feel like starting it. I would love to be focused on exercising but I am not doing it so how can I focus on it? I wish someone could give me a magic wand or some magic words that would give me that feeling of yes that’s it that’s what I needed to hear so I will get going and enjoy and stay going. Am I making any sense? Now I am off to walk my dog but I don’t like it.