Where’s Your Focus?

Do you find it difficult to keep your focus on one project at a time?

Are you able to stay clear and give full attention to what you are doing in each moment?

There is no doubt that we live in an era of distraction.  It has become so difficult to simply focus on one thing at a time.

We are so often overwhelmed by information, choices and the impression of everything happening at once!

Yet, there is only one thought at a time.

There is only one story at a time.

Yesterday I had to take care of a bureaucratic procedure connected to the publishing of my book.  I needed to go to a government office to have a form stamped.  The senior official is a man who lives in my town.  I know him quite well, we are in the same community, his wife is a friend. 

I took a seat in the crowded room, opposite a nursing mother, a business man and a soldier.  It seemed like it would be a long wait.  I reviewed my paperwork and waited for the government official to arrive and start seeing people.

He walked in, nodded and smiled and I waited.  My turn came quicker than I had expected and I took the seat on the other side of his desk.  I greeted him and he nodded, smiled and began to process my form.  He had no idea who I was.

Then he asked where I live and I, somewhat confused, told him his home town.  He looked up and said oh, I see and then I mentioned our community, his wife, our connections.  He laughed and began to chat with me, of course, he knows me well and we talked about our common interests; the class we attended together last year, his wife.

Just as I left the office he apologized, ‘once I walk into this room, I don’t know anyone, you could have been a family member and I may not have recognized you!’ he said.

At first I thought this was kind of strange but I kept thinking about it all day.  I was amazed by this man’s level of focus.  When he’s at his desk, in his role as government official, this is his total presence, his entire focus.

How rare it is to be able to focus to this level.

What would happen if we all focused so intently and completely on everything we do.  Not just our work, our writing, our coaching, but also our interests, hobbies and relationships.  Think how we could transform our experience simply by giving each interest and activity the total focus that it needs.  How exciting is that?

How often do you find yourself thinking about work when you’re playing with your kids?  How often do you wonder if the email you’re waiting for arrived, as you doing something special with your partner?  How common is it to run into your office just to check something in the middle of a social gathering?

I suspect we all fall into this trap.

This is the era of distraction.

But remember, there is just one thought at a time, one story at a time.

Focus.

Be present.

It will make all the difference.

What is your secret for focused presence?

How do you stay clear and concentrated on one thing?

I’d love to hear, please leave a comment below!

Best wishes and best stories,
Lisa