Focus For Results
Author: Dr. William G. Covington, Jr.

copyright 2004 William G. Covington, Jr. PhD

While everyone wants to be effective, why are some people more successful than others? Activity is not the same as accomplishment. Some people find themselves exhausted with little to show for their efforts, contrasted to others who seem to expend less energy but have more results to show for their work.

One thing that distinguishes the two is focus. There is a direct correlation between focus and goal attainment. Focus is a means for arriving at the desired destination. This article considers five advantages of focus. Buying into the idea of focusing on one's goals is a big step toward reaching them.

1. Focus eliminates wasted energy. People who lack focus spend their energy on activity that has no consequences. Distractions keep a person busy, but there's nothing to show for the work invested.

2. Focus gives clarity. Simplicity is desirable because it is mentally less stressful than complexity. A person doing the tasks at hand doesn't misuse imagination by thinking about negative outcomes of matters over which he or she has no control. Activity is empowering. Passivity leads to a feeling of helplessness. As a person clearly focuses on what he or she can do, confidence is built.

3. Focus feeds successful thinking. Success is fed as one task accomplished leads to a second, then a third, and an entire sequence of successfully completed tasks. Success feeds success as a sequential process unfolds into a pattern.

4. Focus builds credibility. As goals are reached, a person gains a reputation for completing tasks. Word goes out that this individual know how to get results. Individual reputation is enhanced in this cycle of success.

5. Focus results in satisfaction. Psychological fulfillment is the experience felt after having completed a job worth doing. There is a before and after, a cause and effect. Things have improved because of one's work. A contribution has been made!

These five benefits of focus show the value of defining your objective before beginning a task. You can't hit a target if you don't know what it is. Focus identifies your target so you can experience satisfaction after zeroing in on the bull's eye.






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Dr. William G. Covington, Jr. has taught motivational seminars in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and throughout the United States. He was written books on goal setting, systems theory, and media management. Dr. Covington can be contacted at williamcovington@hotmail.com.

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