THEN HOW DO I FOCUS ON THE RIGHT STUFF

Isn't this one of the most common struggles with work performance, decision making, team building, or even organizing our daily tasks?  I think so. I hear versions of this comment often. I find there are several ways to decide what to focus on, at both the personal and organizational level. 

BEGIN BY ASKING QUESTIONS..(focus)

So often we jump to conclusions, even good ones. I find it better to ask questions, hard questions, questions that look beyond the obvious. Sometimes we ask the questions of others, at times, even, we ask questions of the process, system, reasons why or expected results. One of my favorite questions is, "What if I don't do this?...."  Let the questions better define what you SHOULD be, do, create or produce, instead of what you COULD. What we could do often means good, what we should do creates clarity toward great. 

COLLABORATE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE..(focus)

People who care about you and your work are hard to come by sometimes. Find those who think strategically, wrestle with goals and objectives and who give honest feedback. Find people who are not impressed with you, but zealous about your success. These people will allow you to explore options, explain circumstances and discuss possibilities. Find people who will let you come into their office and write on their whiteboard, literally or figuratively. One example would be a conversation I observed recently between a marketing executive and a new employee. They were sitting at a coffee shop, leaning into a conversation about social media, by which, the newbie asked questions and bounced ideas. The disciple of listening, speaking honestly and sharing the burden, will clarify the needed focus and give confidence to make decisions. 

LET THE MISSION BE THE BOSS..(focus)

Who is the boss? When trying to gain the clarity of focus to make a plan or decision, there is never writing on the wall. We would love for someone to just tell us, "go here, do this, stop doing that", but it's not that simple. Or, is it?

I think it can be way more simple than we make it. I believe we can learn to gain clarity and confidence about what to focus on everyday, or in a project or for a large coorporation, if......we let the mission be the boss. 

There are so many voices in our head, our team, our followers or organization that influence us each day. The mission of our group, however, gives us the most clear bulls eye to shoot at. Hitting the target with skill and accuracy requires a focus on the bulls eye. In our daily efforts, for our personal life or work group, we have the challenge to clarify through a process of ascertaining the next step. I propose a passionate focus on the mission. If your next decision helps you align with mission, accomplish mission and celebrate mission, then reconsider right from the beginning.