Self Awareness is the common theme of Focus

This book is based on interviews with successful people that include lawyers, doctors, firemen, military personnel, entrepreneurs and athletes. We asked them a series of questions aimed at determining how they focus. There is a common theme, which was inadvertently pointed out to me last night as I explained to a person what the book was about, other than just the notion of focus.

The underlying theme for a successful focus habit is self-awareness.

As you read the book, you will be struck by the the fact that each person who has mastered focus is aware of its importance in constructing a successful business and personal life. The self awareness extends to understanding how they, as an individual, learn to focus and what methods they apply to themselves to create a better focus, when they need it. Athletes focus different than entrepreneurs, but the underlying theme is the same.

Focus is a 112 pages of easy read with possible lasting results.

Focus is a valuable habit. Is it yours?

Spinning Your Wheels

The Eagles penned it with the lyrics, “Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.” As an example, my friend Larry came to see me the other day. “The situation in the Middle East is just awful,” he said, looking at me with utter despair, and running his hand through his hair. “And our politicians are idiots.” I waited for him to continue his rant, which included worry about everything from world peace to the weather, and finally, how dismal the job market is for someone over 50.

Larry has been out of work for some time and is having trouble focusing on the one thing that would make him feel better—his job search. There is almost a false comfort in this approach. In the short term, people become paralyzed by this tendency, and scatter their focus and energy over huge issues, over which they have no control. It keeps them from dealing with the immediate concern, and can be a kind of welcome distraction. But it won’t move them forward on their goals. 

Larry and people like Larry devote a lot of wasted energy in complaining about their lack of a job rather than focusing on finding one. Everyone knows a Larry.

The above post is taken from the Chapter "Spinning Your Wheels" in Focus Habits of Successful People.