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.
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..1. Clear vision + Intention + Purpose... Read More
Did you know that your past, present, and future can... Read More
Are you getting frustrated because the work you continue to... Read More
Did you see or hear about 'The Masters' golf tournament... Read More
Do you ever wonder how some people consistently get what... Read More
Have you ever thought about what makes a superstar? What... Read More
Bring in the big guns People love to be needed,... Read More
We all want success in life. We want success in... Read More
Australians are loosing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue... Read More
People often ask me, "Josh, if you had one bit... Read More
Do you believe that? Do you believe we can all... Read More
Recently I stumbled across a list of Microsoft Interview questions... Read More
Step 1 ? Learn a powerful key to increase financial... Read More
Back in my early marketing days, finding the magic ticket... Read More
I got a big reminder over the last couple of... Read More
You have been preparing for months. You are in position... Read More
"When I think back on all the crap I learned... Read More
When I was in college, I heard someone say something... Read More
Is it possible to get rich quick using the power... Read More
How do we define success? Webster's dictionary defines success as... Read More
My mentor, when I was 25 years old, dropped a... Read More
Overnight success seems to be happening to a lot of... Read More
Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have... Read More
I am writing this article to cement two key success... Read More
I've been coaching for a few years now, and the... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..This past Memorial Day weekend I decided to revisit my... Read More
If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More
On March 27th 2005, Oxford won the annual boat race... Read More
Arsenal Football Club were the Champions of the Premier league... Read More
The HungryIn May of 2005 there were over 2 million... Read More
Two weeks ago we took a look at the power... Read More
Time taken for self-analysis is so important in developing your... Read More
What with the millions of words printed every day about... Read More
As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with... Read More
(excerpted from the book Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness)Wouldn't... Read More
Successful people set ambitious goals. But the high standards and... Read More
I am constantly approached by people when I am speaking... Read More
I love the idea of synchronicity.Perhaps it's just part of... Read More
"Perseverance allows you to get back on track when you... Read More
You teach others how to treat you by how you... Read More
Since December 1st 2004, I have written one article or... Read More
There are certain laws that when obeyed will bring great... Read More
Can anyone become a successful businessperson? I am asked this... Read More
In Latin the word means 'to dare'.This word is so... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
Back from my amazing summer excursion, a month long drive... Read More
Many UK citizens want to settle or retire in Spain... Read More
Money will buy me a house, but not a home,... Read More
It's simple and powerful.The philosophy of successful people is often... Read More
The start of a new year is a good time... Read More
Success |