Study after study has proven unequivocally that our claimed multi-tasking is a myth. Our brains just simply aren’t able to focus on two unrelated tasks efficiently at the same time. Even our ability to switch between tasks is difficult for our brain to accomplish without having a lag time for a certain amount of re-focus.
I’m sure we will get there in another million years if we last that long, but if we don’t learn to focus on one thing at a time in our professional career the chances are we won’t accomplish the BIG things we’d love to be known for. Our legacy won’t be able to be realized because we spent all our time, energy and effort doing a multitude of little things.
I’m talking about that book you still haven’t written, that masters degree you keep putting off, that big career change you’ve been dreaming about for the last umpteen years.
In our early brain development we have way more cells and synapses then we need. The brain discards millions of brain cells while culling it’s space for what it needs. In this way, it’s focusing it’s power on the cells it needs to meet the demands of modern life.
We need to do the same, maybe we have 50 really cool things that we’re interested in and that we pay attention to and dream about. What we need to do is to focus our limited attention on the top few goals that will really change our lives and the lives of those we touch.
It’s really difficult to let go of side interests that we love, however we will have a hard time ever getting enough momentum to accomplish our important goals if we spend too much time allowing ourselves to be distracted by our fun, pleasurable but possibly insignificant goals. I mean this in terms of the life altering, life changing goals. The ones that you never thought you could achieve.
In some ways, our brain’s inability to do two things with 100% focus is also possibly why we have a hard time holding two competing beliefs at the same time without causing friction (known as cognitive dissonance). One belief will eventually win out and dominate your thoughts.
Humans are not able to have cognitive dissonance for an extended period of time with out either allowing one belief to dominate or simply go insane, to say it mildly.
In keeping with some of Warren Buffet’s wisdom, it might serve you to try his goal writing/focus method called 25/5. He asks his business partners to write down at least 25 meaningful life goals on a sheet of paper. Once you have this list then pick the top five that you would really like to achieve.
Once you have this list of five his advice on the remaining twenty is to avoid them at all cost. Forget about them forever, they are not important. The only important goals are those top five you’ve just listed.
Never look back, have relentless focus and go for your big five. This is how you can utilize the “Power of Focus” to alter your course for the better and live the life you were born to live.
One life Make it Count, HIGH FIVE!
Dominc Kotarski – Author of The Making
and Founder of Sales Success Academy
Dominic writes, speaks, inspires, motivates and teaches on the most important aspects of your business including Sales, Coaching, Team building, People Management and Business Development. Get weekly access to his blog & training videos FREE by subscribing HERE
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