The ability to stay on course or stay focused is much more than just a worthwhile thing to cultivate.To be Focused and stay focused is a critical factor to one’s success or failure in any area of life. I decided to write my thoughts on the subject of Focus,because i am gradually learning to keep my attention on something/course in certain areas of my life. Being a very impatient personality,i have always wanted to do things and get them done quickly and as a result,lose site of the need to pay attention and stay focused.

I have always found it difficult to stay on a particular course for too long, lately things have taken a new turn.finding myself again,gaining clarity, I am more convinced that the art of paying attention to the things that really  matter is of utmost importance, if my life must count for something. we all play different roles in life. As much as i am a musician,writer,woman,wife,mother,daughter,sister etc.I am getting to understand that i must find a balance for myself  and the things  that are important to me. as i was gathering my thoughts and ideas together for this write up,i was caught in the web of doing many things at the same time, and i was almost running off course!

The story of Paul the Apostle resonates with this write up,in one of the many letters he wrote to the early churches because it centres on FOCUS. In his letter to the people in Philippi,he emphasised on the absolute focus that gave him the strength and willingness to let go of the “nice things”that matters for the real deal.Paul was a rare leader who was able to influence people for the right course because of his sharp focus,He was passionate about his purpose and assignment that he was willing to Let go.we see that clearly stated in Phil3:13..”but one thing I do,forgetting those things we are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead’.

From the statement above, I came to realise and understand what it takes to gain the Focus required to live a life of maximum impact and influence.This are as follows;

1.Priorities/Concentration– The ability to say No! to every other things that are not necessarily “bad or compromising,in other to pay attention to what is really important.knowing our priorities in different areas of our lives whether in the homefront or as career persons,helps to gain the potentials to achieve great things. I am an ardent lover of soap operas and movies,and i must confess that its one of my guilty pleasures,but lately I have come to the point of saying No to that pleasure,in order to become more productive.I can tell you it’s painful to give up certain habits,but when you realise that the same energy,zest and time that isput into those”nice little pleasures”,  can actually  be used to do something worthwhile.

2.Reflect and Adjust: As human beings,we base our decisions on so many things, like the Ultimate,Urgent,Unpleasant,Unfinished and even the Unfulfilling things.A greater percentage of these things take our time unnecessarily,but when we become more  and more attentive to the needful, we begin to reflect and  rethink and begin to make the neccessary adjustments needed for a more productive life.I can say that it takes discipline,which enables  us to shift from being busy to achieving results.

Forgetting those things which are behind,Paul was not talking about failures or setbacks alone,he was also making referrence to the victories,all of his achievements and accolades. Many times our past achievements and triumphs can also be a form of distraction to greater achievements that are ahead,if we don’t know how to keep aiming for more.

How can one stay focus in a world where there so much going per seconds,so much hullabaloo,noises,so many voices amidst lots and lots of choices? How can one overcome distractions and pay attention tothe most important things.

1.I believe one of the first things first, of overcoming lack of focus is Working on yourself ,i came to the realisation that i am my own greatest asset or my own worst liability.Understanding that alone brought me to the place of truth.so the decision to work on myself was mine to make.Nobody else will make that decision for me.

2.After the self-awareness,I began to figure out what my priorities are. I know that i am passionate about many things,and i am also multitalented, I started putting the important ones in front of me,Working on your priorities. This second aspect often takes time,because we are constantly finding new path as Apostle Paul said,”Reaching forward to those things which are ahead! you don’t have to get beat up,it is a gradual process.

3. Have a Support System(Working with Family/Friends ).It is important to always have the support of family,friends or colleagues who can and who will always stand with you to help in maintaining Focus,even when things are not happenning as they should.when we are surrounded by supportive people,they encourage us to keep our eyes on the goals that is set before us. like the Apostle said,” I press towards the goal for the prize, There is always results and rewards when we Follow On Course Until Successful!