The Way to Success - Focus

Let's review Aristotle's quote:

"The only way to achieve success is to have a definte, clear, practical ideal--an objective.  Second, have the necessary means to achieve your end--wisdom, money, materials and methods.  Third, adjust all your means to that end."

As I reflected on this quote, step number three seems to be the hinge upon which the door of success swings.  We can dream about success for our entire life, but until we actually concentrate our effort on attaining the objective, success is only a pipe dream at best and delusion at worst.  To achieve your objective you need to do is adjust ALL your means to its attainment.

Dr. Charles Stanley, in his book Sucess God's Way, said this, "The degree of a person's commitment toward the pursuit of a goal will always be evidenced by

• a deep urgency,
• passion,
• enthusiasm,
• motivation and
• excitement toward reaching that goal." 

How's that for a definition of focus!  Deep urgency.  Passion.  Enthusiasm.  Exictment.  Dr. Stanley used the word commitment, I have chosen the word "focus."

How urgent is the attainment of your ideal?  Is it a desire that burns deep within you and won't be satisfied until your goal is achieved?  Do you have a passion to achieve, or simply hope something good will happen because you want it to?  Do you seek effective forms of motivation that truly challenge you?  When you think of your objective, does it create an enthusiasm like nothing else? 

Focus isn't something to be "worked up."  It isn't brought about by images of what others have attained.  It can't be contrived or coerced.  It doesn't come from reading a book or listening to a tape.  

Focus is discipline, hard work, constancy in the face of adversity.  It's keeping your eyes fixed on the goal, not looking to the right or left.  Focus is when you have developed the ability to adjust all your means to the attainment of an objective or goal.  When this happens, you will not allow anything to keep you from hitting your target. 

Let me hasten to add that focus can be both positive and negative.  That's why our first two "assumptions" must be in place before our gaze is set:

• definte, clear and practical objective, and
• the necessary means (wisdom, money, materials and methods) in place.

Whatever your objective or ideal, use these principles the launch your success plan.  We are!  Stay tuned for the results.

Thanks for reading.

Always make a difference!