Focus on What You Really Want

 

Have you learned how to really focus on what you want?

Those who embody strong leadership qualities keep their eye on the prize. They are very organized and plan ahead while still remaining flexible enough to handle unexpected challenges. Like a grandmaster in a chess game, a good leader thinks out each strategy and understands how each action will affect the rest of any given scenario.

Distractions can be one of your biggest business saboteurs, but those who display strong leadership attributes don’t let them intrude. Focus is a key leadership quality. Limit distractions by creating an environment that is conducive to focus. 

For example, your office can have an open door policy between certain hours so your team can freely communicate, but make it known that you will not be as available during your “focus times.” This helps you get deeper into your work without having to deal with the many moving parts of your business.

Most leaders didn’t get where they are because they were born with innate leadership qualities. Becoming a leader doesn’t always come naturally. You must be willing to embrace a growth mindset, develop your skills, work on your weaknesses and challenge yourself daily. You must be willing to do your best and fail – then get back up and fail again.

This inner strength comes from realizing that life happens for you, not to you. Everything you experience can teach you something if you let it. Learn how to find the lesson in all of life’s events, take it to heart, and get back out there. You’ll inspire others to do the same.

Best, 

Manal

What You Focus On Expands

 

Have you ever noticed that what you focus on expands? 

Tony Robbins says, “Where energy flows is where focus goes”.

We all do this in everyday life. Where you put your focus and attention will be what grows and expands. When you attach an emotion to it, you intensify the feeling of it.

For example, if I was excited to purchase a 2021 BMW 5 Series I might start seeing these on the road. But if I focus on what exact model and color, a 530i 4 door in Mineral White Metallic, I’d see these everywhere. It is like I could feel myself behind the wheel. 

Where before wanting this vehicle, I may not have ever seen these on the road at all. 

Why doesn’t this happen? 

Science actually has an answer for this, and it involves the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.

According to Wikipendia, frequency illusion, also known as the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, is a cognitive bias in which, after noticing something for the first time, there is a tendency to notice it more often, leading someone to believe that it has a high frequency. This is a form of selection bias. Your brain does this without you even knowing it is happening. 

Think of all you’re exposed to in a single day. It’s simply not possible to soak in every detail. Your brain has the job of deciding which things require focus and which can be filtered out. Your brain can easily ignore information that doesn’t seem vital in the moment, and it does so every day.

When you’re exposed to brand-new information, especially if you find it interesting, your brain takes notice. These details are potentially destined for the permanent file, so they’re going to be front and center for a while until the next thing that grabs your energy and focus.

This is why as leaders we must be clear on what we want and where we are going. It is so easy to be derailed in the process of reaching our goals. Stay focused and on track.

Best, 

Manal