The Sixth Sense

The importance of focus (and why I refuse to)

A week or so back I said via Twitter that I had a blog post brewing about focus. Well, here goes.

For starters, I do need to say that I think focus is vital. If any business, organisation, or church is going to move forward and be successful, the ability to stay focussed is so important.

Most of us have been told the importance of focussing on one thing. We mustn’t be distracted. We shouldn’t jump from one thing to the next. It is vital that we finish what we start before shifting onto something else.

For years - to be honest - I have felt guilty about this thing of focus. Why? Because I can’t do it! Believe me I try. I have an idea, I get it started, but then I have another idea. And it starts off well, I give it my all, and then I get bored.

Here’s the harsh reality. I am great at starting things and terrible and finishing them. I cannot stay focussed on one thing in order to see something through from start to finish. 

So, after years of trying and failing, I have decided that I am wasting my energy trying to do something that just doesn’t come remotely naturally. What if, instead of focussing on what I can’t do, I shift my attention to what I can do? Like having creative ideas and getting things started. And then I can make sure I partner with other people who are great and taking things through to conclusion.

I get bored really easily. I need things to change. A lot. I need new ideas, new ventures, new projects, new design opportunities. What if I accept that staying focussed on one thing for the long haul is just not worth my while? And, instead, I could give everything to maximising my creativity when it comes to ideas and kicking things into motion.

Having said this, I think there are two layers (at least) to focus. There is the layer of vision and the layer of plans. I don’t have a problem staying focussed with the big picture vision when it comes to leading Mosaic for example. A vision simply cannot be changing all the time. But the multiple plans and projects involved in making a vision become reality can and should be. And, here’s what I’m learning. I’m much better when I’m jumping between projects, moving when I have fresh impetus and creativity.

The truth is though that I need to get better at compensating for my weaknesses. I need to work more strategically with the right people to ensure that projects I initiate don’t just get left unfinished.

Anyway, that’s enough about me and my struggles with focus. What about you? What does focus look like in your life?