Understanding the Purpose of Focus, Part 1

Merriam-Webster defines focus as "a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding." Living in a time when gas prices are the highest in the history of our country, and foreclosures are at an all-time high, how can we gain a clear perception of success, prosperity, and abundance? In other words, how do we maintain our focus?

Let's face it, it is human nature to get distracted! Oftentimes we get distracted when we look at the reality of our situation and we think about what we don't have or what we can't do. Then confusion, doubt, and fear set in. Well, the first step to understanding the purpose of focus is to become selective about what we think about and talk about. Granted, that takes concentration; but, I'm convinced if we don't consciously concentrate we will lose focus.

Think of it this way: if you take a magnifying glass and hold it to a piece of paper, allowing the rays of the sun to act as a laser beam, then over time the rays of the sun will set the paper on fire. When light is focused, it has the potential to cut through steel! Wow!

Here's a wonderful thought for you and me: Nothing is a potent as a focused life!

Next week, I'll tell you why focus is so important and what focus can do for you. So stay tuned.

Until next time,

The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"

Are You Your Worst Stressor?

A stressor is what causes stress. It's something that is a threat to you. It can be a physical condition like misplacing your keys. It can be a mental condition like a thought about how irritated a co-worker makes you. Many of us like to blame stress on someone else ... you know ... "if so-and-so would just leave me alone everything would be fine!" Here's a stress wake-up call: MOST OF THE TIME WE'RE OUR WORST STRESSOR!


Before you get yourself all worked up, let me explain.


Janna was angry because her boss said she lacked assertive communication skills and should consider going to an up-coming seminar off-site. Janna refused to go, but she worried every time she had a conversation with a co-worker that her boss was in the background keeping score. She thought about learning more about being assertive, but she didn't want to give her boss the satisfaction of being right. At her annual appraisal, she received a "less than satisfactory" score in the area of communication. After the meeting she found a quiet place and began to replay what her boss said. As the tears fell, Janna felt even worse because she knew it was her own fault.


Stress is not always the other person's fault. Sometimes, rather than take responsibility for own own lives, we choose to blame an outside source for our troubles. Janna's work-related stress was mainly caused by her stubbornness. She allowed the anger she felt toward her boss to keep her from doing what she needed to do -- learn how to become more assertive and consequently create more value for her role within her organization.


So how can you avoid being your worst stressor? Easy! Take responsibility for yourself. Take responsibility for your life and what happens in your life.

Until next time,

The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"