Focus Equals Energy and Power

Kevin D. Crone

18 hours ago

3 min read

How do successful people get focus?

1. Create your dream

They think through their aspirations and create their dream. The great Jim Rohn used to give an example of a young Canadian who pictured running a great Dale Carnegie operation in the largest city in Canada — Toronto. How he had a picture of the city's skyline on his wall so he could see it everyday. How he drew in the skyline tower with chalk when it was built. How he envisioned doing work for the largest companies in Canada. This example was about me and my all encompassing dream. I achieved all of it and more. Create your dream and move forward without second guessing. As Satchel Page said, “Don't look back, they may be gaining on you.”

“Don't look back, they may be gaining on you.” Satchel Page

2. Let ideas in

How do you get there? You need to let ideas in. They are everywhere and they can come from everyone. One of the easiest things to do is learn what the best do and then act. On my second day as a young business owner, I interviewed the top four people in our industry from around the world. Each one had unique strengths. I spoke into a tape recorder and said here is what we're going to do. Become an expansive thinker, a learner, an action-oriented implementer of the best ideas.

3. Be selective

Now that you know what to do, become selective about the ideas you implement. It isn't about doing everything - it's about honing your skills around your strengths and around what the business needs to achieve its clear outcomes. “The immature mind hops from one thing to another, while the mature mind seeks to follow through.” - Harry A. Overstreet

“The immature mind hops from one thing to another, while the mature mind seeks to follow through.” Harry A. Overstreet

4. Build the skills that pay

Determine what skills it takes to be a successful businessperson and become good at them. My skills were leadership and building people, creativity, communication, and selling. I focused on them. These skills always gave me the highest return for my time and attention. Everyone has their own list, but, whatever it is, make sure you put all your attention on them.

5. Chase the big returns

Focus on opportunities that create big returns. I once met a successful guy who claimed that every hour of his day was made up of 12 minutes of great opportunity and 48 minutes of routine work. He decided to focus on those 12 minutes and throw everything at those big, important things. He built five companies by focusing only on thinking through how to make those opportunities come to fruition.

6. Cut the noise

Remove distractions. For example, don't respond to your fifty emails until 9:30 a.m. By that time you’ll have focused on important, profitable action. Only do what's the next step in your opportunity. Get away from what's routine and/or takes up your time.

7. Put your goals in writing

I had the habit of creating a file for each opportunity. Printed on the outside of every file was a specific and clear goal. These goals became the sum total of all the progress made in our organization. If you have no written, clear goals, you have no focus and the world is dictating who you are and what you're going to do.

8. Check in on yourself

Always check on how you are doing. My old friend and a great mentor, Stu Scott, used to say out loud every morning and once in the afternoon, "Is what I am doing right now the most important action for my business? Is it going to lead to more money for my business?” Stu built an empire.

Here is a quick, late afternoon check:

Is what I am doing getting me closer to my goals?
Am I moving closer to my dream and aspirations?
Am I living my priorities?

Focus creates the incredible energy, enthusiasm and passion you need to succeed. All successful people have it. They give up being good at everything, being well-rounded and being with everybody. What they get back is success.