Are you focused on the right things?
I believe that many leaders fail to accomplish their goals in work or life for one simple reason – lack of focus. I see it with people who get halfway through a new diet or exercise routine. I see it when people stop short of their goals because they find something easier or more interesting to do. There are 1,000 different reasons every day to not focus on the task at hand:
- A customer needs a visit.
- Someone walks up to your desk for a quick chat.
- It’s 11:18 and almost lunch time.
- I haven’t checked Instagram in the past 30min.
Each leader will have their unique distractions. It takes incredible discipline and focus to accomplish great things. The funny thing about great accomplishments, is that no one is going to force you to do it. These are tasks or goals that don’t fall into the “need” category. In fact, needs are things that often get in the way of great accomplishments. A leader could spend their whole life just meeting needs and will never accomplish anything that rises to the level of great or amazing. The fact is that we actually have to set aside our needs in order to make some progress on the greater vision. The challenge for the leader is not to simply keep the organization moving, which is the need, it is a much higher calling.
Take five minutes and consider: Am I carving out the right time to focus on the vision, or am I filling my days trying to keep my inbox clean?
Oftentimes the best way to focus is to force it. It may mean no phone calls or no email during that time. Whatever it takes for you to get some real focus; do it. I know this sounds simplistic, but if you are really intent on seeing your vision come true, you’ll have to set aside the mundane to pursue what really matters.
Leave a Reply