Heinlein Publishing Services: Focus is Key...So, What to Focus On?

24 August 2009

Focus is Key...So, What to Focus On?

“Our thoughts create our reality -- where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.”
-Peter McWilliams

“Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.” -Denis Waitley

“You can't depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain

"Focus"! We hear the term - command - imperative - directive, etc.
...a lot!
-and, yes, we have accepted it's importance. "Focus" is a key ingredient of success, whatever the endeavor...

So, where to start?

Here are some "focus suggestions":

Focus on the Spiritual

"Your heart will be where your treasure is." Luke 12:34 GWT

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” -Albert Pike

A "program" for spiritual focus
http://spiritual-growth-program.com

Focus on Giving

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” -Mother Teresa

“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” -Mother Teresa

"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." - Zig Ziglar

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
-John Wesley

I really like the creativity of this one:
http://12for12k.org
The 12for12k Challenge is the combination of social media awareness and fund-raising that aims to change the lives of millions worldwide. Founded by business consultant Danny Brown, it's aim is to raise awareness and funds for 12 charities over the course of 2009, with a new charity being supported every month.
The concept is simple:
* 12 months of the year
* 12 charities, a different charity each month
* $12,000 per charity

Start a charity to change the world
http://www.examiner.com/x-5936-Animal-Advocacy-Examiner~y2009m8d22-Advocacy-101-Start-a-charity-to-change-the-world?#comments

Focus on the Future

“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.” -Joel Barker

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” -Gail Devers

Creating a Life Plan
"...live your life on purpose. It begins by creating a “Life Plan.” This won’t insulate you from life’s many adversities and unexpected twists and turns, but it will help you become an active participant in your life, intentionally shaping your own future."
-Michael Hyatt
http://michaelhyatt.com/2008/06/creating-a-life-plan.html

Focus on your future vision!
"When you have faith in your future vision, it creates resilience: when things do not go your way, you will be able to pick yourself up because your future vision will be stronger than your setbacks. Doing the particular things you need to do to move toward that future vision will become automatic, a habit." -James Winston
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/155506/motivation/focus_on_your_future_vision.html

Focus on the Task at Hand

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” -Paul J. Meyer

How to Organize Tasks Effectively
1. Take about 5 – 10 minutes to write up a plan of what tasks you have to complete (you can also do this on your Microsoft Outlook Task bar).
2. Place a number beside each task, in the order from 1 being most important to the last number, being least important.
3. Take the most important task and (this is the important part), only focus on that task (with the exception of someone coming to you, phone calls, etc.)
4. If you do get distracted, finish up what you are doing and then focus on the last task that was on your sheet.
5. Make sure to put a check mark beside each task as you complete it – this will help you realize how much you have accomplished (in a shorter period of time than you thought).
Once you have completed all of your tasks,
lavish in the fact that you are done! -The Professional Assistant
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net/2007/08/task-here-task-there-when-does-it-ever.html

An easy to use, online to-do list.
-Get organized, stay motivated, and be more productive.
http://www.toodledo.com