#Middlebury
Insights for Constructive Living
by PAT IANNUZZI
The word “focus” is commonly used to describe a situation in which one’s attention, interest, and activity is precisely centered on a single issue. Focus is something we all do during our waking hours in varying degrees, but it’s not something most of us think about very much. However, if we do take a few minutes to focus on “focusing,” I think we will soon come to appreciate that focus is a critically important factor in achieving personal and professional success and happiness.
Our ability to effectively focus is probably our most significant limiting factor in determining whether we will achieve a goal or stick to creating a new habit. Certainly self-discipline, willpower, resilience, motivation and other factors are very important, but without a clear, intense focus through which we can apply these attributes, we won’t likely be very effective at anything. The problem is that while we may think we are actively focusing on a topic, we usually are devoting only minimal or scattered attention to it. There are two primary reasons for this.
The first is that our minds seem always to be occupied with several thoughts. Rarely do we find ourselves intently focused on a single issue. It’s hard to put everything aside and concentrate on just on one thing. We may think we are, but there are always other thoughts that seem to sneak in and siphon off some of our mind’s attention. Even during conversations, we often tend to wander off from the topic of discussion and not really pay close attention to what another person is saying.
Some of us like to believe we can “multi-task,” but this is a contradiction. Our minds are unable to focus on more than one thing at a time, and in fact, multi-tasking just means switching from thinking about one thing to another very quickly. The more we switch, the more energy we use, and the more energy we use, the less energy we have to stay focused on what matters.
The second problem is that because we often are multi-tasking and because of the tremendous number of interruptions – both human and electronic – we have to deal with every day, we don’t have enough time to really dig deeply enough into those matters that are really important. Effective problem-solving usually requires concentrated, uninterrupted mental focus over a period of time. Research has shown that the average office worker is distracted every 3 minutes and that it can take up to 25 minutes just to regain focus after being distracted. Losing focus is easy; it’s getting it back that is hard.
To increase your ability to focus effectively, try the following. Select an important task you need to do and set a specific period of time in which to do it. Clear your mind. Do whatever you need to do to eliminate the possibility of your own mental as well as outside interruptions. Find a quiet spot in which to think and reflect. Turn off your phone. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a long period of time. Even a half-hour during which you can focus exclusively and completely can do the trick. Train yourself to immediately recognize and dismiss distractions as they enter your consciousness. This is not easy. It will take discipline and practice, but it can significantly increase effectiveness.
“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” ~ Voltaire
Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiont Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.
