The One Thing Highly Focused

The One Thing Highly Focused People Don’t Do

If you know what Kim Kardashian or Genevieve has been wearing for one week in a row yet you haven’t done a thing in the past week to improve your life and bring yourself closer to your dreams; If you know everything about Obama’s immigration policy yet you haven’t read one book or taken one step to develop yourself; If you know the details of every match Manchester United or Arsenal has ever played, yet you’re still hovering around where you were 6 months ago. Then you are doing what I call “focusing on everyone’s life but your own.”

Contrary to what many think, it’s not only young people who engage in such fruitless activities: people of every age group are guilty. So if you know everything that’s happening in your neighborhood, office or country and spend hours poring over magazines, watching TV, wanting to know the “latest news” or discussing the latest trending topics, yet all the while neglecting your own life, then you are guilty of what I’m talking about. You are wasting time on unnecessary pursuits and discussions–time that should have been spent developing yourself, and getting involved in meaningful experiences. Here’s what will happen if you don’t stop and retrace your steps: you will wake up one day finding that 5 or 10 years have passed you by, but you have accomplished little and you are left wondering where all the time went.

There is nothing wrong with being knowledgeable but excessive focus on the lives of others either for entertainment, gossip or to “be in the know” is bad. Never be so satisfied with the stories of others and how things are going or have gone for them that you forget to write your own story. You must learn to unfold your own tale, take control of your life and do something meaningful with yourself. Make improvements on yourself so your life shows growth that is obvious.  You have everything you need within and around you to become all you are capable of becoming.

This might mean consuming less and creating more. Start thinking for yourself rather than just reflecting the thoughts of other people. Stop trying to copy other people, be original and forge a path for yourself. In your life, learn to respect and follow your own ideas/instincts. Don’t let other people think and decide for you.

If you want to soar in life, you’ve got to reduce the time-wasters and distractions bringing you down. Dedicate time to your dreams, goals and the things close to your heart every day. Take responsibility for your life.