Focus is a significant part of who I am.
My strengths do not include being dramatically creative or coming up with innovative ideas. I tend to accomplish more things by persistently meeting my commitments than by finding amazing new approaches.
My focus tends to be on getting results. I am more motivated by achieving something than by artistry, more inspired by tangible change than by grand theories. It is more important to me to get things done than to have an impressive portfolio.
It has taken me time and reflection to begin learning that making a difference is not the only meaningful goal. I was very strategic before I could see the value of being monastic. It was easy for me to focus all of myself on being the person who could get things done, without considering what I was doing or where I was going.
My focus is beginning to encompass a more balanced view. Focus and achieving are still among my greatest strengths. I am still very motivated by measurable, tangible goals; do not give me a time or a date if you do not mean it. My focus is more balanced, and stronger, now as I work to integrate results with moving in the direction we want to go.
It is still important to me to make a difference. It is just as important to make the difference we want to make.
Goals need to meaningful as well as measurable. We need to be focused on moving in ways consistent with our deepest selves. Our efforts are a way to share our core values and vision with the people around us.
Effectiveness is not merely a description of how much work we complete, how many goals we accomplish.
Our focus is not a reason to lose sight of where we are going.
Where is your focus?
How do you make a difference?
[Image by Neil Kremer]
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