Have you ever stopped to wonder how you ended up where you are at some point in your life when you intended on being somewhere totally different? If so, you are not alone. Eventually, it happens to all of us. I can recall so vividly sitting in my bedroom years ago wondering how my life had taken such a drastic turn. I was on top of the world and before I knew it, I seemed to be falling so fast I couldn’t stop. My intentions were good but the direction I was headed was not.
I once heard a story concerning someone who had driven a racecar in a training session with an instructor. The instructor informed him to keep his eyes where he wanted to go not where he was going. After circling the track several times, the instructor, having special controls on his side of the car, used them to place the car into a spin. Startled by the car being out of control the driver began to panic. Immediately, the instructor pointed at the road exclaiming, “Look where you want to go not where you are going!” The driver looked where he wanted to go and he regained control of the car. Again, after several laps the instructor placed the car in a spin. Startled again, he began looking where he was headed instead of where he wanted to go. The instructor repeated the same words telling him to look where he wants to go not where he is going. Finally, the driver gained control of the automobile and maintained it the rest of the time.
The lesson to learn from this story is simple, yet life changing. Are you ready? Well, here you go…Direction, not intention, determines destination. Success in life involves focusing on a target and following a specific path. The direction we are headed determines where we will end up, regardless of our intentions. We have a choice of focusing on where we want to go or looking in all different directions believing that sooner or later, we will get there. We must look straight ahead, piercing though anything that stands in our way. Nothing can distract us. Nothing can divert our attention.
To be focused means having an idea where you’re heading. Our eyes are looking in the direction we want to go with no diversion. When we look through binoculars, we must first focus the lens before we can see with any clarity.
Today most businesses admit they often lose focus. “Let’s get back to the basics” is a common slogan among leaders. The world is full of distractions and temptations. Often people change directions more often than they changed majors in college. They commit to a winning objective only to have something catch their eye. Like a dog chasing a car, they run after another opportunity, losing their focus along the way.
The most successful people focus on very few things. Bill Gates placed all of his energy into developing the best software available. It was his passion. To be passionate about your work doesn’t mean you have to find something you love. That
is one of the biggest lies that this generation is faced with. To the contrary, you must discover something you do well and learn to love it.
Ultimately, you will encounter struggles with staying on target. A person pitches a hot idea. It must be jumped at now or it’s gone. Consider passing on it if it vies for your focus. After reaching a point of success you may consider other possibilities to expand your horizons, you can afford to go for it, but not before.
When people tempt you, keep striving. When they make fun of you, keep striving. When no one believes in you, keep striving. Put yourself in the categories with the great ones, those that kept the vision and never gave up. By continuing to strive, you will be one of the few that possesses the ability to achieve your goals and arrive at a successful destination.
I once saw a definition of success that I thought defined the importance of focus: Success is the progressive realization of a worthy idea. Commit to remaining focused in all you do so you too, can realize a worth accomplishment.
Remember, it’s not how you start in life that matters, it’s how you finish. Make the commitment to stay focused and finish strong!
About the author
Dr. Dallas Humble is a healthcare provider, business owner, professional consultant, author and founder of The Reshape Institute. Dr. Humble consults with individuals and organizations across the country to improve productivity, identify & mitigate injuries and promote wellness. For more information visit www.dallashumble.com.
