A great and all-too-common question came up today, in a coaching session.
HELP! - there is so much great information out there - who should I listen to? - I am suffering from entrepreneurial overload..
The fact that we are asking the question should ring alarm bells. Whenever we want to make progress, we need to first know what we want to achieve. Once we know what our goal is - we need to fairly quickly decide how we are going to get there. And then we need to start moving - and stay on track.
Without the clear goal, we will have nothing to point our compass towards. We run the risk of being diverted, meandering, and losing our focus.
Focus is critical.
Focus is often confused with discipline. Sure, discipline has it's place. However there's something even more powerful than discipline, which can keep us on track.
It's connection.
Connection to something which is important to us. Something which enables us to make a difference through our work and our life. Some call it purpose, or passion.
Whatever we call it - when we connect to it - we become motivated to move forward, in a committed and focussed way. That motivating force of achieving the meaningful goal fuels us. We can channel that energy into focussed action. Action that will lead to the achievement of the goal.
It has to be a goal that comes from the heart - not from the head. The heart is where we tap into desire and passion.
When we have a meaningful goal to achieve, we have a powerful 'why' to our actions.
We focus on the activities that will lead us to the goal. That focus - is energy. What we focus on, grows.
Before you choose to spend time on any activity - pause and ask yourself:
Of all the ways I could spend this time - what would be the thing that will move me in the direction of my goal?
Your choice - will determine your results.
Sideline
Have you ever tried to give up eating chocolate, when there's chocolate in the house? Just about impossible isn't it?
Information is a bit like chocolate these days. If it's there, we have a hard time not consuming it. Even if we resist, the temptation eventually get's to us. It starts with a little nibble..
Focus also applies to what information we allow ourselves to be exposed to. With no chocolate, we are not tempted.
The easy way is to ditch the chocolate from the house - at least during work time!
Take some time to make a fairly quick decision, ask around from people who's judgement you respect - about who to listen to, and what approach to focus on.
Then commit to that person, and that approach. Unsubscribe from all the other lists, videos, free courses. Get rid of all the background noise.
Clear and de-clutter your information store - it will also clear your mind.
And then focus. Focus one that one meaningful goal, using that one approach. Don't bring chocolate into your house!
Choosing a meaningful goal is much easier when you have a purpose, and a plan to achieve that purpose.
Happy information de-cluttering!
to your success,
Paul
