FOCUS

There are two parts that we shall attempt to understand when focusing on FOCUS.

From a micro view point FOCUS is all about Following One Course Until Successful. For almost all of us, it is the micro aspect of focus that we pay more attention to simply because it enables us to see quick results. Studying for exams would be the focus of parents and children especially when the exams are fast approaching. When one studies there is a higher chance that one would be able to do well in the exam and the results would vouch for the same. For this period of study before the exams, it is possible that one has sacrificed TV viewing, movies, social outings so as to ensure that one is following one course viz to study until one has successfully finished the exam papers. It is important to note that there must be this micro focus for every activity we undertake to ensure that we attain the results we seek. This could be as diverse as merely doing our daily chores, organizing a party or relaxing at home. The downside to focus is that, we can get so obsessed with the task on hand, and this is true of corporate executives and professionals in particular, that they are unable to focus on enjoying their free time or family time. So it is essential to balance our focus so that we do not stress ourselves out or pass on the stress to others.  This is possible when we look at the second aspect of focus i.e. the macro aspect of focus.

From a macro view point, FOCUS is all about Following One Clear Useful Strategy. This is not a quick and sudden focus as would perhaps happen when we are suddenly confronted with the need to quickly decide. A long term focus would be in the nature of a planned, purposeful and decisive choice. A student who is keen to better his/ her performance would focus on a clear strategy to improve marks, unlike a student whose sole aim is to do his/ her best by studying at the last moment. The macro focus of the student keen to do well could be on spending more time on the difficult subjects or taking tuition's in subjects that he/ she is weak in and / or preparing to ace the subjects he/ she is strong in. Notice that the strategy chosen is based on macro focus on attaining the end objective, whereas the execution of the plan is based on the micro focus. Similarly from a corporate perspective too strategy is nothing but a macro focus on the way ahead.

While both types of focus are essential, it is the macro focus that is most important in the long run. Remember Steven Covey’s 7 Habits in which he stresses on ‘Begin with the end in mind’. Macro focus is that beginning where the end is visualized first. Another way to understand this is-  macro focus is ‘Doing the right things’ whereas the micro focus is ‘Doing things right’. For the numerous readers of this blog, what is your long term focus as regards the benefits you wish to derive from reading this blog is a key question that will determine how well you use the new learning and benefit from it. Those with a macro focus would identify ways and means to leverage the content and profit from it. E.g. some would want to use it to improve their vocabulary / others would try to learn how the thoughts are expressed in a logical manner / some would just like to get some inspirational insights / some would try to rewrite and rephrase contents in their own words so as to improve their style of writing.

Self motivation is the key to achieving a sharp focus. Unless one is motivated, your approach to any activity would be casual, tardy and in all probability result in a shabby outcome.

Focus on what you want – then focus on how to attain it ; that is when you will be Following One Clear Useful Strategy and then ensure you are Following One Course Until Successful.

Action Points:

• Go to a game center and play a round of bowling to get an idea of how your focus and your actions take time to sync. You could also try to play darts to get a feel of how it takes effort to hit the bulls eye.
• Write down the 9 times table one below the other  – 9 x 1 = 9 till 9 x 10 =90. Now focus on the answers. Do you see an interesting pattern in the answers?
• Can you focus on the following sentence and find the two completely different meanings when you use the correct punctuations. ‘ Woman without her man is a savage’

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TARGET

Success is largely measured by how a person has achieved his/ her goals and surpassed expectations. This necessarily means one must have a predetermined target which is nothing but an attempt To Aim at Realistic Goals Every Time. This means that one must spend time in visualising one’s expectations, translate that into a clear goal and simultaneously draw up an action plan to achieve one’s target in the shortest possible time.

Pinpointing the target is easier when one is participating in a shooting or archery competition since the target is clearly outlined and the bulls eye clearly visible. In daily life, the shape, size and value of the target are hazy and constantly undergoing a metamorphosis. We are also guilty of looking ahead with hope, moving ahead with trepidation and giving up in frustration simply because the goal was hazy, our efforts half hearted and our self belief fatigued.

The challenge in identifying targets is because

-       We are not specific about what we want. Using phrases like very happy, large house, cushy job, peace & contentment, peaceful life, happy retirement are merely adjectives masquerading as targets. Targets are the specifics that will lead to the fulfilment of these platitudes and phrases.

-        we either overestimate or underestimate our abilities as a result we go after easy targets that do not give us the required momentum for success or we go after unattainable targets that would lead to frustration and failure.

-       We give up too soon partly because we do not want to put in the efforts required, partly because we misjudge the progress made and largely because we divert our attention to more pleasurable alternatives.

 One thing is certain. Setting a target would enable one to focus better, measure progress, take corrective action and get motivated to try till one succeeds. Targets will also provide one the impetus to take setbacks in one’s stride, be grounded when sudden windfalls are got and persevere till the goal is attained. So nothing can stop one from attaining success if one is ready to To Aim at Realistic Goals Every Time.

Action Points:

• Draw out the sketch of your dream house.                                               
• If you won a lottery of Rs.100 lacs (One crore) what would you do with that money.
• If you had to save an additional 10 percent of your current income what expenses would you cut down on?
• How would you get one additional hour in the day for you to pursue your passion? What activities would you cut down on or delegate in order to get this additional one hour?

 This post is courtesy www.actspot.com

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational Blog

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FIRST

Our obsession with standing first in every aspect of life has often been both a boon and a bane. As a boon standing first is motivation to perform well, but it becomes a bane when the expectations are not correlated with the person’s ability to achieve the first place. However, this concept of standing first is based on the popular perception of what is considered to be standing first. In reality if we change our perception of what it means to stand first, each of us can achieve the distinction of standing first frequently.  To begin with one needs to view standing first as Foremost In Reaching Set Target.

Notice now that being first is possible when we can show improved performance for ourselves. This assumes that we have some objective in mind and we set about achieving that target in more optimal ways than we have ever done before. Assume for a moment that the best academic result you achieved was struggling to get a first class. Now if you target to get a distinction without really measuring the effort required, the probability of not achieving that is very high. However if the target set is to improve your score by 10% and then you set about diligently working towards it, any improvement over what you have achieved in the past would make you stand first as compared to your past achievement.

You can also view being first from the stand point of attempting anything new. Anything you do that you haven’t attempted before is a first for you. Here again you are only competing with yourself to overcome you apprehensions and fears about attempting something new. The first day of school, the first time you went on stage, the first time you participated in a race, the first time your drove a car all alone, the first time you attempted a dare the list goes on and on.  Then there is a first that brings in to play your character, your values and your ethics. The times you refused to pay a bribe, the times you refused to cheat in an exam, the times you stood up to tell the truth, the times you apologized for a mistake, the times you kept your temper in check, the times you pardoned some one who wronged you. Every single time you are able to resist giving in and taking the easy way out because it was against your conscience you achieved a first.

The thrill of overcoming the perceived risks, the exhilaration of achieving what you set out to do and the relief that you did what you set out to do are the collateral benefits that come out of you daring to be the Foremost In Reaching Set Target.

Action Points:

Identify 3 bad habits that you want to eliminate. How will you go about ensuring you manage to overcome it? So what is the first step that you are going to take and when ?

Name the most important value that you hold most dear to you. How often were you able to hold on to that value. Can  you recall an instance when you were gravely challenged to hold on to that value with succumbing to pressures from others?

What do you consider your first and foremost achievement in your life?

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You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational Blog

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SPEED

Be it cars, bikes or the internet access, SPEED is perhaps the focus of attention. The human race has innovatively made speed attractive by having races for varying distances be it as a track event or a Formula 1 race or a motor cross or the horse racing track.  So why are we obsessed with speed?  Perhaps the answer lies in our competitive nature and our primal instincts Sudden Power Ensures Excessive Drive

The law of the jungle demands that speed holds the key to catching a prey or eluding being the prey. An old African tale illustrates it best. Every morning in the Jungle the Lion wakes up and says today I have to run faster than the slowest deer or I will have to go hungry. At the same time every morning there is a deer that gets up and says I have to run faster than the fastest Lion or I would be dead. The moral of the story is that whether you are Lion or Deer, come morning and you have to get up and run. It is however the speed at which each one runs that determines if it meets its objective. We as human beings having evolved, perhaps continue to crave for this primal instinct of speed.

Our competitive nature demands that we humans find ways and means to assert our superiority. While hunting as a sport partly let us indulge in our cravings, as we evolved, we found the need to be engaged in less risky activities. Horse racing provided owners to assert their superiority and gave the common man a chance to also lay wagers and participate in the process of identifying the best. At the same time competitive racing between human beings then became an acceptable means to a loft end of displaying competitiveness.  With progress and mechanization, motorcycle and car racing provided the human race to imaginatively and creatively test the limits of speed as is evident in improving lap timings where Sudden Power Ensures Excessive Drive.

However SPEED also tends to pose tremendous danger especially in the hands of those who cannot control/ handle speed. The human race is plagued with the performance enhancing drug menace but equally dangerous is the SPEED power that is touted by almost all vehicle manufacturers. An oft quoted phrase warning against the dangers of speed puts matter in perspective succinctly and it reads ‘ Speed thrills but also kills’. So while SPEED means  Sudden Power Ensures Excessive Drive, you must be able to keep that drive in check.

Action Points:

Check out the Olympic record and World Record timings and names of winners male and female in each of these categories. 100 meters, 200 meters, 4000 meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and the marathon.

Find out the fastest animal and bird on the earth.

Find out who has recorded the fastest tennis serve in the world.

Who has bowled the fastest ball bowled in cricket and what was the speed recorded.

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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