In chapter 4, Maxwell begins by saying,
Focus does not come naturally to us, yet it is essential for anyone who wants to make the most of his talents.
It is funny how God works. Just this morning I had this quote come to reality. As I was working with my jazz choir (top musicians at the high school), I couldn't help but notice that we were running right over simple musical markings like crescendos, staccatos, and simple rhythms. I encouraged them to simply take notice of them this time and see what happens. Just by bringing the issue into focus, it was amazing what kind of change took place. Only when you combine talent with focus can your potential take you far!
The Power of Focus: Maxwell continues his chapter by discussing some important facts regarding focus. I will very quickly outline these facts...
1) Focus Does Not Come Naturally to Most People
In our current society, we have infinite choices & opportunities to comprehend. Often times, myself included, we find ourselves spending way too much time on things that we don't really care about. Don Marquis stated it well by saying,
"Ours is a world where people don't know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get it."
Only with focus can we solve such a predicament. One of the main points to success today is concentration. Again, I think of my students. When we are having a productive rehearsal, we tend to have more members focused and on the same page. The "off" rehearsals are those where everybody has their mind somewhere else and the goal of growth and success on the literature is NOT the focus. As a leader, it is important to ask yourself; "Am I helping others make progress?" If the answer to this is no, then I know I am off track and need to refocus myself. The bottom line is that this focus is NOT natural, and it takes a conscious effort(and hard work) to maintain it.
2)Focus Increases Your Energy
When I first read this I was confused, as if I'm working on something that doesn't come naturally to me, I would assume I would be expending energy. Then after reading Maxwell brought this truth into light. He explained that if you desire to achieve something, you first have to know what your target is. Without a target, your work is in vain!
"Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used" - Admiral Richard E. Byrd
This Saturday on the radio our head cross country coach said something similar in regards to the girls Cross Country team. He was explaining that he doesn't think they have experienced true pain yet while running. They haven't been so focused as to push themselves to this deep well of "ability." Often times when we decide to narrow our focus onto a set goal, we are able to tap into these wells and progress more than we ever imagined possible.
3)Focus expands your life
Many of my students would agree that one passion of mine is leadership. Only when I truly focus on leadership can I expand my ideas. When I focus on whatever the subject at hand is, I can put my full effort into it. When I have too many things going on at once, I shortchange EVERYTHING and struggle to grow in these activities.
4)Focus Must Be Intentionally Sustained
Intentional: this means that it is a conscious effort and not just a natural phenomenon. People do NOT naturally remain focused. Today I asked one of my middle school choirs if they were tired from working so hard...and many rose their hands. I explained to them that only then did they experience what a focused rehearsal feels like. When you are focused on an activity, it feels like work. The positive side is that progress is leaps and bounds ahead of the days when the group lacks focus! John Maxwell defines success this way:
"Success is the progressive realization of a predetermined worthwhile goal."
You have to believe that the goal is worthwhile. As a leader, it is imperative that you share this goal with your team and convince them that it is a worthwhile goal. If they are not on the same page as you, then your rate of success will be diminished. I often tell my students that they are simply products of their environment. If I create an environment where success is expected & experienced, more success becomes the product!
So where do we go from here. We've identified some characteristics of focus..but how do I apply this to my life?
A) Be Intentional - Make Every Action Count
People who are not sure of where they are going can't access their will power to succeed. When you have a CLEAR goal in mind, you can focus your talent & efforts to completing these goals. Working with intention includes a constant focus. You have to do the right thing moment by moment, being as consistent as possible. One can only get better or digress. Very few times can somebody maintain at the current level they are at.
B) Don't Let Yesterday Hijack Your Attention
Too many people either yearn for the past or dwell on the past, getting stuck on history! Last week my women's choir had a horrible rehearsal that I ended up cutting about 15 minutes short. I did some office work as they sat in silence. I never told them to sit quietly, but they know that MY intentions were severely affected by their decisions. Later that evening, I sent them all an evening clarifying what happened. I then went on to explain to them, you can dwell on the experience or learn from it. Most of the students came to class the next day with a positive outlook...while others were scared to death!
C)Focus on the Present
One of my favorite bible passages is Matthew 6:34, which says
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"
Focusing on tomorrow does NO good. There is ONLY one time in your life that you can control, and that is the present! Maxwell explains some things he feels helps him focus on the present. He reads daily, listens to others daily, sets aside time to think, and he writes daily! I STINK at this area of life. I don't read daily, I do try to listen to others daily, and I definitely don't write daily.
D) Stay Focused on Results
All tasks have difficulties, so what good does it do to focus on them. Often times we don't see the successes and small victories because we are so concerned with these difficulties. Focus on results, regardless of how big they are. Just recently, I've really been working at losing weight. I realized that if there is 1/10 a pound loss from yesterday to today, it is STILL success. It could be weight gain...so why not focus on the result. It is really hard to avoid those who struggle with this. As a leader, it is important that we focus on results. Focusing on results makes it easier to remain positive & encouraging.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
It is amazing how God puts readings in your life when you need them. I've really been struggling lately with focus at my job. Personal focus but getting my choirs to focus. I've decided first of all I need to lead by example. Also, I need to show my kids the importance of the goals we are striving for. If they don't care about the goals, you can't expect them to be focused. I need to focus on progress, regardless of how big it is. Going into rehearsals with a goal is important, but it is more important for your team to feel successful, regardless of how big the success is. Now it is equally important not to give false praise and make them feel success when in reality there was little. Expectations need to be clear. My college professor once explained me that the higher the expectations, the higher the support. If I expect my kids to rehearse at a certain degree of focus, I need to support that focus through positive reinforcement.
Now that I got back into this book, I'm deciding how to deal with my section leaders at the high school level. I had some applications, but don't know how to go about picking out the group. I feel on one hand I need to learn more about leadership before taking the kids down this path, but I also feel that it would be great for our program for these students to walk this path beside me...any thoughts?
