Use focus to gain direction

                      By Bayo Ogunmupe

    Assume the sun striking a newspaper on a Nigerian beach. If even the paper were to remain there for  ten years, there would not be much sun damage. Indeed, the pages would only become yellow and fade, for the most part, the tabloid would remain intact. But if we were to use a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun, we would set the newspaper ablaze in minutes. Such is the power of focus. Which is why loss of focus equals loss of direction.

    Like the sun, you have enormous potential power. But it will not bear much fruit if it is not focused. Your good ideas and intentions can easily evaporate if not focused. One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power in a particular direction. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master any skill in particular. If we really understand the great power within us, we would act differently. Instead we dissipate it, but those who harness their power achieve greatness through being focused.

    However, to help you focus on your dreams, write them down. When you write down your ideas you automatically focus your full attention on them. Few if any of us can write one thought and think another at the same time. Thus, a biro and paper make excellent concentration tools. But don't just write down your goals, write down your plans on how you will reach your goals. Planning helps you remain focused. Asking yourself questions is another way to remain focused. What is the best way to spend my time now? is a useful question to keep you focused. What step can I take now that will bring me closer to my goal? What do I need to do differently? Champions realize they are not immortal. We have limited time to achieve our goals, so we must act immediately. Reminding yourself that you cannot live forever helps you remain focused.

    Here are the main things to focus on in your march toward stardom. One,focus on your choices. What you have become today is as a result of what you decided to focus on in the past. What you will be tomorrow depends on what you choose to focus on today. The locus of your focus determines your future. Two, focus on what is relevant to your ambition. You will never be able to read all the books on entrepreneurship, so concentrate by narrowing your focus on what you want. The elephant hunter does not stop to throw stones at birds. Three, focus on success. Success does not come by accident, success comes to those who worked for it.

    Four, focus on the present moment; it is the only moment in your power. Now is the only time we have to focus on; we must act on our plans  and monitor our progress. Only when you consciously focus on the moment can you receive the gifts, the lesson and the delight that it has to offer. Five, focus on your strengths. Spend more time focusing on your strengths than your weaknesses; for your strengths will propel you to glory. It is what you are good at that will define you; offering you opportunities to excel. Always focus on doing your best. Never underestimate your commitment to doing your best. It could just be the best the world had yet seen at that moment.