One of the common elements you see in almost all successful people is focus. They saw what they wanted to achieve and they focused in on it like a laser. Then, when they become famous and we, the common folk, know their name, we are amazed at the focus they have.
Focus will set two people apart who have equal skills.
What I am about to say may appear to be blasphemous to some: Tiger Woods is not that much more highly skilled than the other top PGA players!
No, I haven't lost my marbles. Take any of the big names and stick them on any course and on any given day they can shoot a 65 for 18 holes. You see, it isn't whether they can ? they all CAN ? it is whether or not they DO. And that is determined mostly by F-O-C-U-S.
Watch Tiger sometime in a close race to the finish. Watch when he hits a bad shot. Does he fall apart and grumble to anyone who will listen? No! In fact it is almost eerie to watch him lock back in, even more focused than ever. THAT is what makes him a champion. I truly believe it is Tiger's focus that has distinguished him from the rest of the field to become the best golfer ever.
The same is true with others who achieve great things, even in crucial and highly tense situations. Think John Elway in those final minutes of those games he brought the Broncos back in. Think of all of those last second shots that Michael Jordan took (that everyone in the entire arena knew he was going to take ? including the other team). These were classic examples of focus.
So what can the average person do to increase their focus? There are some things to do to train yourself. You may never be Tiger Woods, either on the golf course or in the office, but you can increase your focus to where it needs to be to give you the success you desire.
In the remaining part of this article I want to show you how to stay away from a common mistake and turn toward a discipline of focus that will be the first step in greatly enhancing your ability to focus. I will show you a practice technique to use that will greatly enhance your focus and your performance.
The myth is that to focus we must push other things out of your mind. For example, people will say to an athlete, "Don't listen to the fans." Or someone will say to another, "Don't think about?" This doesn't work! For example, right now, do not picture your car. You thought of it right? Exactly. This myth actually gets you to focus on exactly what you don't want to focus on!
Instead, the secret to intense focus is to set your mind intently on what it is you want to focus in on. For example (I'm hoping we have some golfers here ? and if not, make the changes you need to, but you should get the point), let's say you are standing over a ten foot putt.
What do you want to focus on? Making that putt! So what are the elements you should be aware of? Then focus on them. But go beyond mere observation. Most people just look at the line of the putt, take a guess on how hard to hit and fire away?
Here are some other things to do (remember the process here is to get you highly aware of your surroundings and to focus with intensity):
Look at the hole. Is the plastic cup even with the top of the grass or is it sunken in? How much? Bet you never noticed that before. Does the grass tip in at the edge or is it even? How long is the grass between you and the hole? Does it waver in length from foot to foot?
Is there sand along the way in your path? How much? What color? What size? Is it even or just for a section?
Are there any bugs sitting on the ground between you and the hole? Does the hill go up or down at all? Not significantly ? you would have already noticed that ? but even slightly?
Is there a slight wind? Can you feel it blowing on your face?
Lastly, imagine that ball rolling along that path, curving slightly if it has to, and falling in the hole. I mean, really create that movie in your head and watch it!
Chris, is this the secret to making your putts? No, but it's an example of how to focus? Be observant. Notice. Focus. Lock into your focal point(s).
The same could be done at a business meeting with all of the people there, what questions they are asking, what points are being made, what may come next, what the others are wearing, why they chose that outfit for this meeting (What they were trying to accomplish etc).
The myth of most focus advice is to try to not focus on bad things.
The secret to intense focus is to focus to a higher degree than you normally do on the "good things" ? the things you are trying to accomplish!
Give it a try for a week. Focus intensely on what it is you want to accomplish. Bring yourself to a much higher degree of awareness of the surroundings etc? and see for yourself the power behind this methodology!
Then when you have taught yourself to do this for practice, it will become a part of you and you will start to do it naturally and that will be an incredible day!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://chris-widener.inspiresyou.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Quote of the month: Am I working to live or... Read More
Did you see or hear about 'The Masters' golf tournament... Read More
You're enjoying a perfectly shallow conversation with a good friend... Read More
I recently was made aware of two comparative statistics that... Read More
I am going to tell you something you already know... Read More
It goes without saying that we are unlikely to experience... Read More
Do you know how much time do you spend listening?... Read More
For our family, the Fall is filled with Friday Night... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
Who wants to carry on being a failure?Failure. Not a... Read More
"If you can tell the world who you are and... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
Exercising is not one of my favorite pastimes but I... Read More
1. Any work activity, unless initiated at the earliest will... Read More
Today I am going to tell you the #1 secret... Read More
In this article we mention 7 tips for your success.... Read More
It happened again in class. While sharing my insights on... Read More
How can anyone with the brain of a cockroach make... Read More
Our thought are magnetic ! Like a magnet we attract... Read More
Very few of us can pick up a complex task... Read More
What if?you could have it all? 6 Steps to Living... Read More
The gambling instinct is in every man or woman. All... Read More
Are you ready to finally realize your dream? I'm talking... Read More
If you want to make more of your talents -... Read More
Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
We're all adults, and most of us probably like to... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
Two Immigrants Live The American DreamSome may call it a... Read More
Believe in your own Divine nature Despite the varying religious... Read More
"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More
Do you feel like your stuck?No matter what you do,... Read More
I am constantly approached by people when I am speaking... Read More
Do you know how much time do you spend listening?... Read More
A wonderful quote by author and scholar William A. Ward... Read More
The other day I went shopping at the local consumer... Read More
Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More
I was in the gym, pushing my adolescent muscles to... Read More
Few books have impacted my perspective on human psychologically and... Read More
The scene from "Biloxi Blues" where Matthew Broderick's character kept... Read More
I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
With topics in personal development ranging from goal setting to... Read More
Depending on the person, challenges can either make or break... Read More
I've just sent an email to my mailing list based... Read More
I spoke to a group of salespeople in Kansas City... Read More
Frederick W. Smith attended Yale University and wrote a paper... Read More
Fighter pilots have an awesome responsibility. It takes a unique... Read More
Something happens when you come to the intersection... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
Success |