One of the things that has derailed our generation is the failure to manage the constant pull for our attention. Mobile apps, Netflix, Hulu, TV, movies, texts, video games, and work are a constant toll on our focus and our ability to effectively progress through life. Focus is one of the main keys for success.
Often we try to focus on multiple things at once. We multitask. The problem is multitasking is a lie. Studies have shown that performance suffers significantly when people are multitasking. As award-winning photographer and acclaimed author, Steve Uzzell said, “Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.”
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to, “Strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). Notice that there are things other than sin that slow us down.
You’ve got to identify the priorities of your purpose and give it your full attention. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll accomplish goals when you focus on one at a time.
In his famous Baby Steps, financial coach Dave Ramsey takes an interesting approach to paying off debt. Most financial planners would advise you to locate which of your debts have the highest interest rates and pay those off first. Dave, however, encourages his students to pay their debts off from lowest balance to highest. He argues that by focusing on the smallest goals first, you gain momentum by seeing the debt disappear rapidly. Now, your focus has produced an excitement to continue toward your ultimate goal.
Recently, I’ve been writing my next book. I made up my mind that when I’m writing books, I won’t pursue any other projects. All my willpower, focus, and effort will be spent writing that book. So instead of it taking me a year to release a book, I can release one in four or five months. Using the same thought process Dave Ramsey teaches, I realized that rather than completing 200 words a day, there’s a greater excitement in seeing an entire chapter completed after a day of writing. Focus drives an amazing level of production.
Focus puts you on the fast track to production.Click To Tweet
F.M. Alexander, made a profound observation when he said, “People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”
As Christians, we know that certain habits, (prayer, reading God’s Word, praise, giving, etc.), will guarantee success. Let’s take prayer as an example. Daily prayer is one of the most effective things you can do to increase your life supernaturally.
Many believers decide they’ll pray when they get free time throughout their day . . . except the free time never comes. Instead, a habit must be formed and focused on to ensure the completion of any goal.
Example: You set a goal to pray for 30 minutes before you get ready for work. Don’t pray while eating breakfast, getting dressed, shaving, listening to the news, etc. Multitasking during your most important habit steals your focus and kills what you’re trying to accomplish.
The Apostle Paul wrote that he was engaged in ONE THING—pressing toward his GOAL (Philippians 3:13,14 ESV). Notice he wasn’t pressing toward his “goals” plural.
One thing. One goal. One focus. Let’s follow suit.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle to focus? Let me know in the comments!
I have already overcome the habit of not praying everyday, and I’ve made it an habit to pray everyday, but the obstacles to seeing that happen were my phone, the Internet my business and social media