“You don’t get results by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on the actions that produce results. “– Mike Hawkins
This is the last in the series of three blogs on the subject of taking action. In our first blog we examined three ways to take action now. In the last blog we examined some motivating reasons for taking action immediately and in this blog we look at why focus and action must be inextricably connected. This series follows our last series of blogs addressing momentum and defeating procrastination and the importance of this transition to life and work.
Establishing momentum and eliminating procrastination are essential to find success in our business and required to ignite action. What good is having focus if you don’t take any action? Conversely, if you take action without focus, how will you know you are doing the right things? Focus and action go hand in hand.
The concepts reinforce each other. Suppose you decide that you need to increase sales, or whatever your goal happens to be. You plan out the steps and use that to set your focus. Then, when you execute the plan by taking action, you will learn that your focus was correct. Or, you will learn that it didn’t work out for some reason and that you need to consider alternate plans.
The last sentence of the previous paragraph is important. Not everything you plan will work out and you need to keep that in mind. If you find something isn’t working out, and you don’t believe it is going to get any better, don’t hesitate to reconsider the plan and direction, but keep moving. Otherwise, the focus-action loop will get stale, and you will get frustrated. This is a negative reinforcement that will only serve to help you fail and fall back into procrastination and inaction.
Failure is part of the process, and part of life. Your actions should be iterative along with measures of what is happening. It can’t hurt to have alternative plans defined at the beginning of the cycle if that is possible. If not, just determine those alternatives when they make sense. This is part of the planning process, for example in getting ready for an interview I always suggest having three or four themes prepped for the interview. The more planning, the more detailed the theme will be and likely the more effective it will be also. But even with that planning, some of the themes will fall flat and likely fail.
When you operate in this manner, you will find your focus is more intense. This is because you are confident the actions you take will lead you to the desired results and you’ll shift your focus if it falls flat and doesn’t work. In any event we keep moving.
If you operate in a team environment extending this approach to all participants is incumbent and very productive. When you include the team, make sure they understand that the possibility of failure exists. This will help you guide them to different paths and adjust as necessary. Of course, if a few of the team members are not doing their part, this is another path you will need to deal with. These members may not be clear on the benefits of the plan. When that happens, they will lose focus, and they won’t be able to take action. Or, the actions they do take will not coincide with what the team is trying to deliver. There has to be synchrony and a synthesis in team actions.
When you approach your goals in this way, you will definitely excel at your job or business. You’ll have a renewed sense of purpose, and you will bring the business or your mission to new heights.
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee
The connection between focus and action lies in the idea that focus is a precursor to effective and purposeful action. When you are focused on a particular task, goal, or objective, you are directing your attention and energy towards it. This concentrated attention enhances your ability to take meaningful actions and make progress.
Here are some key points to evaluate your behaviors and better understand the connection between focus and action:
- Clarity of Purpose: Focus helps you clarify your purpose or goal. When you are clear about what you want to achieve and what your mission is, it becomes easier to determine the actions required to reach that goal.
- Reduced Distractions: Focus allows you to minimize distractions and concentrate on the task at hand. By eliminating unnecessary interruptions, you create an environment conducive to taking purposeful action.
- Energy Allocation: Focusing on a specific task allows you to allocate your mental and physical energy more efficiently. This optimized energy can be channeled into taking decisive actions, leading to better results.
- Enhanced Productivity: A focused mind is generally more productive. When you concentrate on one thing at a time, you are more likely to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
- Mind-Body Connection: Focus is not just a mental state; it often involves the entire mind-body connection. When you are focused, your mind is aligned with your actions, promoting a sense of purpose and intentionality.
- Goal Achievement: Focus helps break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. By concentrating on these smaller tasks one at a time, you can steadily progress toward your ultimate objective.
- Motivation and Commitment: Maintaining focus contributes to sustained motivation and commitment. When you stay focused on your goals, you are more likely to take consistent actions over time.
Focus provides the mental clarity and direction needed to initiate and sustain purposeful actions. It is the foundation upon which effective and intentional efforts are built, ultimately leading to the achievement of desired outcomes. This applies in interviewing, investigations, auditing, parenting, and life in general. Get focused to get things done.
Anderson Investigative Associates is positioned to custom-tailor training to your specific needs. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the above issues of focus and action or any training need, please reach out. Additional issues pertaining to interviewing, auditing, and investigations can be found in other blogs and videos that we have produced and are contained in most blocks of instruction that our company presents.
If you have additional questions, comments, or have an interviewing topic you would like me to address, give me a shout. In the meantime, be well, stay safe out there, and get focused on understanding your need for focus in your life to maximize action to maximize momentum, perseverance, and success….it will change many aspects of your life.
Mark A. Anderson
Director of Training and Development
Anderson Investigative Associates, llc
114 Loucks Avenue
Scottdale, PA 15683
manderson@andersoninvestigative.com
tel:912-571-6686
