F.O.C.U.S is for Focus
by Thad Burkamper
August 31, 2019

So, I’ve trained my eyes on the goal
Not the scraped knees, the bruises or falls
Not the way people talk or the unknowns that stalk
But the things I control and that’s all

Focus is key. Failure is an opportunity to learn. Obstacles are a chance to put what you’ve learned into practice. Criticism is a test of your constitution. The unknown isn’t worth the energy. Success is to be enjoyed in each moment. Finally, focus is key.

There are only so many things you can control, manipulate, or change on your own. Those things out of your control must be ignored. Those things on the list of what you can change or control are really the only things to put any thought to at all. Managing and maintaining your expectations and focus in the right areas will lead to a perfect navigation of those five stumbling blocks. Placing your focus where it needs to be will actually render you blind to the possible (and probable) setbacks you’ll be faced with. Proper focus will allow you to quickly and precisely decide whether an oncoming “oh dear” is worth your time and energy. Most importantly, proper focus will allow you to experience each moment that you’re moving forward as a success in itself.

When all of these ideas align, life becomes so much less about getting the promotion, losing the weight, starting the business, etc., and much more about enjoying the journey. When you take control of the things within your power to control, the promotion will bring itself to you. The weight will begin to disappear on its own. The business plan will get written.

None of this is to say that the right mindset alone will get you to a path of continued success. What I hope you’re getting from all of this is that the right mindset nearly forces you to make the moves of learning and honing skills and habits with a persistence that opens the doors for these doors to open for you.

The reality of the situation is that we just aren’t allowed an enormous amount of time to waste it being petty or playing the victim or wallowing in defeat. With the right mindset, defeat doesn’t exist. With the right focus, petty arguments are not fed because they are not worth your time and effort, and you cannot be a victim in a life you’re building for yourself.

Enjoy the journey. The journey is all that we’re in control of.

If you’ve read all six articles, you have zero excuses from now on. If a failure keeps you down or a criticism stops you from continuing onward, that’s on you. Focus helps. Focus can get you through this. Focus will get you to your goals.

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